Palm Beach County, FL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Spacing
- 50 ft on center (40 ft for palms)
- Location
- Both sides of streets 50+ ft wide
- Placement
- Between edge of pavement and sidewalk
- Timing
- Installed before phase's final CO
- Scope
- Planned Development Districts specifically
Summary
New subdivisions and Planned Development Districts in unincorporated Palm Beach County must plant canopy street trees an average of 50 feet on center, or palms at 40 feet, along both sides of streets 50 feet wide or wider.
Street trees shall meet the Canopy tree requirements of Art. 7, Landscaping and planting standards pursuant to Engineering and Public Works Operations – Streetscape Standards, and as follows: 1) Street trees shall be spaced an average of 50 feet on center. Palms meeting the requirements of Art. 7 [...] may be planted as street trees if spaced an average of 40 feet on center. 2) Street trees shall be located along both sides of all streets 50 feet in width or greater and shall be planted between the edge of pavement and sidewalk.
Full Breakdown
The ULDC's Planned Development District performance standards (Art. 3.E.1.C.2.d) require street trees meeting Art. 7's canopy tree standards, spaced an average of 50 feet on center, or 40 feet for qualifying palms, on both sides of every street 50 feet or wider, planted between the edge of pavement and sidewalk, with root barriers where needed. For residential PDDs, all street trees in a phase must go in before the County Engineer issues that phase's final Certificate of Occupancy; the Engineer may waive or modify the spacing where it conflicts with subdivision-improvement requirements. This applies only in unincorporated Palm Beach County, not West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, or Jupiter, each of which sets its own tree rules.
Violations & Fines
Phases with missing street trees do not get their final Certificate of Occupancy; the County Engineer can require replanting or accept a waiver only where trees conflict with required subdivision improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply to any subdivision, or just planned developments?
Can palm trees count as required street trees?
Do West Palm Beach or Boca Raton follow this same rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida tree protection overview
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