West Palm Beach, FL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 94-113(d), Ch. 94
- Max spacing
- 30 feet on center along curb
- Minimum tree size
- 20 ft height, 8 ft clear trunk
- Trigger threshold
- Construction cost ≥ 50% of improvement value
- Maintenance duty
- Property owner, via city maintenance agreement
- Irrigation
- Required, supplied from adjacent property
Summary
West Palm Beach's streetscape rule sets fixed spacing and size standards for street trees along public rights-of-way. Sec. 94-113 requires trees adjacent to the curb at a maximum of 30 feet on center, at least 20 feet tall with eight feet of clear trunk, on any project rebuilding 50% or more of its improvement value.
Street trees. Street trees shall be installed adjacent to the curb at a maximum of 30 feet on center along all streets. Adjustments may be authorized by planning staff due to site constraints. Tree species shall be approved by the city's landscape planner, and shade trees shall be preferred. Smaller tree species shall be spaced closer together as appropriate to provide continuous tree canopy over the sidewalk. Trees shall be a minimum of 20 feet in height, and have a minimum of eight feet clear trunk, or as approved by the city. Structural soil shall be installed meeting the city approved standards as a minimum requirement under adjacent paved areas, or suspended pavement soil cell systems may be installed as an alternative.
Zoning and Land Development Code Page 174
3. Tree grates and base planting. Trees shall be planted within planting beds which shall have a minimum of four feet in width between the curb and the required sidewalk. Planting beds shall be planted with shrubs or groundcover as appropriate. Pass-through areas shall be provided for parking space access to the sidewalk.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 76).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 94-113 of Chapter 94, 'Landscape and streetscape requirements,' governs planting in the parkway strip between the curb and the sidewalk on all public streets. The section applies to any new construction, renovation, or addition with a construction cost equal to or above 50 percent of the property's improvement value, as determined by the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's Office. Under subsection (d)(2), 'Street trees shall be installed adjacent to the curb at a maximum of 30 feet on center along all streets,' with planning staff authorized to adjust spacing for site constraints.
Tree species must be approved by the city's landscape planner, shade trees are preferred, and smaller species must be spaced closer together to maintain continuous canopy over the sidewalk. Trees must be a minimum of 20 feet in height with at least eight feet of clear trunk at installation, or as otherwise approved by the city, and structural soil meeting city standards (or suspended pavement soil cells) is required beneath adjacent paved areas. Subsection (d)(3) requires planting beds at least four feet wide between the curb and sidewalk with tree grates matching city standards where needed for minimum sidewalk width.
Subsection (d)(6) requires irrigation for all street trees and landscaped areas within the required setback and right-of-way, supplied from the adjacent property per the approved site or landscape plan. Subsection (d)(7) places ongoing maintenance of the trees, tree grates, structural soil, and irrigation on the property owner and successors, backed by a required maintenance agreement with the city.
Violations & Fines
A property owner or successor who fails to maintain required street trees, irrigation, or structural soil under the Sec. 94-113(d)(7) maintenance agreement is in breach of that agreement and subject to code enforcement for noncompliance with the approved landscape plan. New construction, renovation, or additions meeting the 50%-of-improvement-value threshold that skip required street tree installation, spacing, or size standards will not clear site plan or landscape plan approval, which halts permitting until corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Palm Beach
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Palm Beach County handle parkway planting.