Palm Beach County, FL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- Dept. of Engineering and Public Works
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Palm Beach County only
- Exemptions
- Emergencies; minor small-wireless maintenance
- Permit valid for
- One year for Provider/Pass-through permits
- County review deadline
- 60 days, or deemed approved
Summary
Placing anything, a driveway, landscaping, fence, pathway, or utility line, in a county right-of-way requires a Right-of-Way Permit from Engineering and Public Works before work begins, with narrow exceptions for emergencies and minor maintenance.
Any Person Placing or Maintaining any Facility in the Right-of-Way shall have a Permit, except... Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (6), above, a Permit is required for work that involves excavation, closure of a sidewalk, or closure of a vehicular lane or parking lane, unless the Provider is performing service restoration to an existing Communication Facility and the work is done in compliance with the FDOT Manual.
Full Breakdown
Palm Beach County's Right-of-Way Permitting Ordinance (Code of Ordinances Ch. 23, Art. III) requires anyone placing or maintaining a facility, a driveway, landscape material, pathway, curbing, signage, or utility line, in an unincorporated county right-of-way, which the code defines to include associated sidewalks, to first obtain a Right-of-Way Permit from the Department of Engineering and Public Works. Emergencies and minor maintenance of existing small wireless facilities are exempt, but any work involving excavation or closing a sidewalk or travel lane always needs a permit. Violators face code enforcement action and permit revocation.
Violations & Fines
Working without a required Right-of-Way Permit violates Chapter 23 and can trigger code enforcement action, civil penalties under Florida Statutes § 125.69, permit revocation, and required removal or restoration of the unpermitted work at the violator's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put a driveway or landscaping in the county right-of-way?
Does this apply inside cities like Boca Raton or West Palm Beach?
How long does the county have to decide on a permit application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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