Palm Beach Gardens building department: 561-799-4210, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at City Hall, 10500 N. Military Trail. Permit portal, inspections, fees.
Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Palm Beach Gardens Building Division and Planning and Zoning pages. Updated when the city changes its process or meeting dates.
Two city departments handle construction in Palm Beach Gardens, both at City Hall, 10500 N. Military Trail. The Building Division issues permits and runs inspections. Planning and Zoning reviews site plans and rezonings and checks building plans against the city’s land development rules. Both now take applications online.
Who to call
- Building permits and inspections: Building Division, 561-799-4210, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; inspections scheduled 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Zoning questions, site plans, special events: Planner on Call, 561-799-4222; Planning and Zoning, 561-799-4243, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
- Maps and parcel zoning: GIS Department, 561-799-4203
- Apply or check a permit: Online permitting portal
Getting a building permit
Palm Beach Gardens uses the countywide Universal Building Permit Application (PDF), which replaced the city’s separate residential, commercial, sub-permit and revision forms. Print it double-sided if you file on paper. Most work is filed and tracked through the city’s online permitting system, which also shows permit status at no charge.
The city posts a one-page permit info guide for each common job. The residential list covers additions, driveways, fences, generators, AC changeouts, water heaters, windows and shutters, pools, re-roofs, remodels, solar and new single-family homes and townhomes. There are separate guides for commercial, engineering and fire work.
Before you start, read the guide for your project. It lists the documents and drawings the city wants with the application.
What it costs
Fees depend on the job. Use the city’s Permit Fee Estimator for a figure, and see the full city fee schedule (PDF). New construction may also owe impact fees.
Inspections
Schedule inspections through the online portal between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. When the portal is down for maintenance, as it was Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 for a citywide software update, the Building Division takes inspection requests by phone at 561-799-4210.
Open permits on a home you are buying
Requests for open permit searches go through the city’s Open Permit Requests portal. The city charges for a written search: a $100 minimum for a 10-business-day turnaround or a $200 minimum for two business days, plus $40 an hour after the first 30 minutes. Permit history in the online system is free to look up yourself.
Zoning: what can be built where
The city’s land development regulations are Chapter 78 of the Code of Ordinances. To find the zoning on a parcel, use the city’s public map service, which also shows permits, business licenses, parks and schools. The GIS page has the citywide zoning map (PDF) and the future land use map.
Since March 13, 2023, all new planning and zoning applications are filed through the online application portal. The city still asks for three paper copies of proposed development plans with each submittal. The department’s current pending projects schedule (PDF) shows what is under review, and the Development Projects pages list approved projects and those under construction.
Zoning staff also handle sign permits, valet parking, dog-friendly dining, outdoor seating, liquor licenses and live entertainment.
Special event permits
A temporary event that changes the normal use of a site needs a special event permit. The fee is $160, waived for nonprofits. The city’s Development Compliance and Zoning page sets how far ahead to apply:
| Expected attendance | Apply at least |
|---|---|
| 1,000 or fewer | One month ahead |
| 1,001 to 5,000 | Two months ahead |
| 5,001 to 50,000 | Four months ahead |
| More than 50,000 | Six months ahead |
The boards that decide
The Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board reviews development petitions and makes recommendations to the City Council. It also decides variance requests and appeals of staff decisions on the land development rules, and sits as the construction board of adjustment and appeals for the building code. It meets at 6 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers. The next meetings are:
- Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Tuesday, Nov. 10
- Tuesday, Dec. 8
The City Council makes the final call on rezonings and site plans. It meets at 6 p.m. in the same chambers; the next meetings are Thursday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Dec. 3. Agendas are on the city’s agendas page. To reach a board member, call the agenda coordinator at 561-799-4129.
What this means for you
- Read the permit info guide for your job before you apply; it lists what to send.
- Check zoning on the city map before you buy or build.
- Buying a home? Run an open permit search before closing.
- Want a say on a project near you? Watch the zoning board agenda the week before it meets.
Related: road construction and closures, property taxes and who to call at City Hall.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a building permit in Palm Beach Gardens?
Apply through the city’s online permitting portal using the countywide Universal Building Permit Application. Questions go to the Building Division at 561-799-4210, open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Palm Beach Gardens?
Through the online permitting portal, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. If the portal is down, call the Building Division at 561-799-4210.
How do I find the zoning of my property in Palm Beach Gardens?
Look it up on the city’s public GIS map service or the citywide zoning map. The Planner on Call answers zoning questions at 561-799-4222.
When does the Palm Beach Gardens zoning board meet?
The Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board meets at 6 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers. Its next meetings are Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8, 2026.
How much is a building permit in Palm Beach Gardens?
It depends on the job. The city’s online Permit Fee Estimator gives an estimate, and the full fee schedule is posted as a PDF on the city website.
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