West Palm Beach, FL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)

Responsibility for sidewalk and curb condition in West Palm Beach runs through two related articles of Chapter 78. Section 78-8 requires that before the city issues a building permit for any structure on a lot that lacks a paved, usable sidewalk, the plans must include installing one at least five feet wide, at the property owner's expense, and no certificate of occupancy will issue until it's built; the same rule applies to major repairs costing at least 50 percent of the building's last assessed tax value, though a denied permit can be appealed to the zoning board of appeals for a waiver.

Article II governs driveway crossings of the sidewalk and curb: § 78-31 requires a permit before anyone lowers a curb or changes a sidewalk grade for a driveway, and § 78-33 lets the city charge an inspection fee and hold a construction deposit. If a driveway becomes dangerous to pedestrians or is abandoned, § 78-35 gives the public utilities director authority to demand the owner restore the curb and sidewalk within 30 days. Section 78-37 is the backstop: whenever a driveway, curb or sidewalk isn't paved, repaved, repaired or restored as the article requires, the public utilities director can order the work done under city supervision, on the owner's account, and the unpaid expense becomes a lien on the abutting property, enforceable the same way as other code-enforcement liens.