Building permits and zoning in West Palm Beach

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of West Palm Beach Development Services pages. Updated when the city changes its process.

Building permits, zoning, historic preservation and business tax receipts are all handled by the city’s Development Services Department, on the first floor of City Hall. Almost everything is filed online now. The city calls its system Enterprise Permitting and Licensing (EPL), and the public side is the Civic Access portal.

Who to call

• Permits, inspections, zoning questions: Development Services, 561-805-6700, ds@wpb.org
• In person: City Hall, 401 N. Clematis St., first floor, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The city says waits are longest from about 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Apply online: Civic Access portal
• Open or expired permits: expiredpermits@wpb.org
• Pools and setbacks: planner on call, 561-822-1461. Landscaping: 561-822-1462

Before you start: the research tool

The city’s Planning and Permitting Research Tool checks whether a project fits the zoning code at your address, then walks through the scope of work and lists the permits it would need. Development Services suggests starting there, then moving to Civic Access to apply.

Applying for a permit

The EPL guide page has PDF guides and video walkthroughs. In the portal you can:

• apply for building, planning and zoning, and right-of-way permits
• pay fees and invoices
• check the status of a permit and read plan review comments under the Reviews tab
• resubmit plans
• download the permit card and approved plans
• schedule inspections

Register a profile first. Contractors register by emailing ds@wpb.org a state or county competency license, a local business tax receipt, a liability insurance certificate naming the city at 401 Clematis St., and workers’ compensation coverage or an exemption, according to the permits FAQ.

Inspections

From 7:30 a.m., log in to Civic Access and open Today’s Inspections to see your inspector’s name and phone number; the city says you can call the inspector for a two-hour window. The FAQ lists the chief inspectors:

A recorded Notice of Commencement goes to ds@wpb.org with the permit number in the subject line. Recording is done by the county at the courthouse, 205 N. Dixie Highway, fourth floor, 561-355-2991. Certificate of occupancy requests also go by email, with “CO Request” in the subject line.

Old permits and stop-work orders

Selling a home with an open or expired permit? The city says to tell it early so it can be resolved before closing. Email expiredpermits@wpb.org with the address in the subject line. Some old permits need a reissue fee and an inspection. The current owner is responsible for an open permit even if a past owner did the work, and work done without a permit can carry a penalty fee.

Look up a property’s history

Citizen Connect shows plans, permits, inspections and code enforcement cases by address. Copies of the documents themselves come through a public records request; Development Services, not the City Clerk, keeps permitting and zoning records.

Zoning and the boards

The Planning Division writes and applies the city’s Zoning and Land Development Regulations. Its development approval guide (PDF) shows how a project moves from staff review to public hearings. A citywide project viewer maps applications in review.

The boards meet in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, according to the boards page:

The City Commission makes the final decision on rezonings and large projects. Agendas are on the city’s meetings calendar.

Historic districts

West Palm Beach has many designated historic districts, and every exterior change to a historic property gets reviewed first: alterations, additions, demolitions and new building. The city’s guidance for owners answers the common requests:

• Metal roof: yes on Craftsman, bungalow and frame vernacular homes; no on midcentury, ranch and Spanish Revival styles.
• Windows: repair original wood windows where possible; otherwise replace in kind with aluminum impact windows.
• Fences: wood board, wood picket or aluminum. Vinyl and composite fences are not permitted.
• Driveways: brick pavers, concrete ribbons or poured slabs. Gravel and shell only beyond the front 25-foot setback.
• Demolition: generally not supported, especially for contributing buildings.

Downtown mobility fee

On May 27, 2025, the city adopted a mobility fee for downtown, charged when a building permit or change of occupancy is applied for and paid before it is issued. The mobility fee page has the details.

What this means for you

• Start with the research tool, then apply in Civic Access.
• Live in a historic district? Talk to a preservation planner before you buy windows or a roof.
• Selling? Clear old permits before closing.

Related: property taxes, road construction and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a building permit in West Palm Beach?

Online, through the city’s Civic Access portal, the public side of its Enterprise Permitting and Licensing system. Register a profile first; the portal handles applications, fees, plan review and inspections.

What is the phone number for West Palm Beach permits?

Development Services is 561-805-6700, or email ds@wpb.org. The counter is on the first floor of City Hall, 401 N. Clematis St., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

How do I schedule a building inspection in West Palm Beach?

Through the Civic Access portal. From 7:30 a.m., the Today’s Inspections menu shows your inspector’s name and phone number.

Can I put a metal roof on a house in a West Palm Beach historic district?

The city says yes for Craftsman, bungalow and frame vernacular homes, but not for midcentury, ranch or Spanish Revival styles. Exterior changes in historic districts are reviewed first.

How do I close an expired permit in West Palm Beach?

Email expiredpermits@wpb.org with the property address in the subject line and a list of the permits. The city says to allow two to four business days for a reply.