If you've pulled demolition permits in Miami-Dade or Broward, Palm Beach will feel familiar, with a few twists. There's no DERM, the asbestos program is run by the Health Department, and several cities treat a teardown as a neighborhood event, with notices, screening and bonds. None of it is hard if you know it's coming.
Who does what
Who issues a demolition permit in Palm Beach County
Your city or town
Most of the county's 39 municipalities, like West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Jupiter, issue their own demolition permits and do their own inspections.
The county, for unincorporated areas
Palm Beach County's Planning, Zoning and Building department handles demolition in unincorporated areas, under its own written policy for demolition permits.
The Health Department, for asbestos
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County runs the asbestos program. For buildings covered by the asbestos rules, it requires written notice and written approval before demolition, even when no asbestos is found.
No DERM here
DERM is Miami-Dade's environmental department. In Palm Beach, asbestos goes to the Health Department, and septic abandonment goes through it too.
The asbestos step
The Health Department's asbestos notice
Which buildings need it
Commercial buildings, condos, apartment buildings with five or more units, and any building that was used commercially. Single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units are exempt, unless they were used commercially or are being demolished as part of a commercial or public project.
A survey comes first
The notice needs a thorough asbestos survey by a state-licensed asbestos consultant. Removal, if any is needed, is done by a licensed abatement contractor.
File 10 working days ahead
The Notice of Demolition or Asbestos Renovation has to be postmarked or delivered at least 10 working days before the work. It can be filed electronically, by mail, by fax or by email.
Wait for written approval
The Health Department wants the notice, the survey and the fee before it gives written approval to start. The fee follows the county's notification fee schedule.
Houses can still need paperwork
Many cities in the county, like Boynton Beach, Greenacres and Delray Beach, have their own asbestos notification statement that goes with the permit, houses included. County building plan review also stamps demolition plans with an asbestos advisory.
The paperwork
What a Palm Beach demolition package usually includes
Every building department has its own list, but these items come up again and again in Palm Beach County.
Documents
- A site plan or location map showing every building and structure coming down
- The asbestos survey and notice, or the city's asbestos notification statement
- A rodent or extermination letter from a licensed pest control company
- A stormwater pollution prevention plan, where the city asks for one
Utilities
- Releases from FPL and the gas company, often Florida Public Utilities
- A release from the water and sewer provider, which may be the city or the county
- Phone and cable releases in some cities, like AT&T and Comcast
- A sewer cap permit, or septic abandonment through the Health Department
The lot afterward
- Landscape plans or a vacant lot affidavit in unincorporated areas
- Grading the lot, then seeding, mulching or sodding it
- All debris off the site before the final inspection
City by city
Where Palm Beach County gets different
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated Palm Beach County | For one and two family homes, the county wants landscape plans or an affidavit that the lot will be redeveloped within 120 days. Accessory structures generally have to come down with the house, a pool has to be removed or broken out and filled, and an inspector confirms the utilities are off and any septic tank is removed or abandoned before work starts. |
| West Palm Beach | Utility releases from FPL, Florida Public Utilities, AT&T, the city's utilities and Comcast go in with the application. Every demolition application goes to the city's historic preservation office for approval, every demolition needs a stormwater pollution prevention plan, and the lot is graded to sidewalk level, seeded and mulched. |
| Town of Palm Beach | Structure demolition isn't allowed from November 1 through April 30. Neighbors within 300 feet get a mailed notice 14 to 30 days before work, the site needs opaque construction screening, and the town holds a bond equal to the demolition cost plus 35% until the lot is sodded and irrigated or construction starts. |
| Other cities | Many have their own asbestos notification statement, and coastal towns can add screening, schedule and neighbor notice rules. Download the current checklist from your building department before you start. |
These come from each government's current published checklists and policies. They change, sometimes every year, so confirm with the building department before you plan around them.
Plan the calendar
The Town of Palm Beach season
Half the year is off limits
On the island, demolition of structures is prohibited from November 1 through April 30. Interior demolition is allowed in that window only if it and the debris removal are finished within three days.
Miss the window, wait months
The town's checklist sets an application and payment deadline ahead of the season, and the demolition has to be finished by October 31. If the paperwork slips, the teardown waits until May.
Line it up early
Survey, asbestos, utility releases, landscape and screening plans, the schedule and the neighbor notice all have to come together before the window. Start in the spring if you want to build that year.
Avoiding delays
What holds up Palm Beach demolition permits
The vacant lot rule
In unincorporated areas, the permit can go on hold until landscape plans or the redevelopment affidavit come in. If you're not building right away, plan the landscaping.
Utility releases up front
Some cities, like West Palm Beach, want every release with the application, not later. Request them all in the first week.
Historic review
West Palm Beach routes every demolition through historic preservation, and designated properties elsewhere need board review. It's a step, not a formality.
Asbestos approval
For regulated buildings, the Health Department's written approval has to be in hand before work starts, and the 10 working day clock only begins when the complete notice is in.
Licensing
Who can pull the permit
A licensed contractor, under their own license
The permit goes to a properly licensed contractor, or to an owner-builder where the rules allow it. The county requires owner-builders to apply in person.
State license, every county
A Florida certified general contractor license works in Palm Beach just as it does in Miami-Dade and Broward. A local license from another county doesn't carry over.
Related
Keep reading
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Who issues demolition permits in Palm Beach County?
The building department where the property is. Most of the county's 39 cities and towns issue their own. Palm Beach County's Planning, Zoning and Building department handles unincorporated areas.
Do I need an asbestos survey to demolish a house in Palm Beach County?
The Health Department's notice generally doesn't apply to single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units, unless they were used commercially or are part of a commercial or public project. Many cities still require their own asbestos notification statement with the permit, and a survey before demolition is a good idea for any older house.
Who handles asbestos for demolitions in Palm Beach County?
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County. For regulated buildings it requires a survey, a notice at least 10 working days ahead, the fee and written approval before work starts.
Can you demolish a house in the Town of Palm Beach in winter?
No. The town prohibits demolition of structures from November 1 through April 30. Interior demolition is allowed in that period only if it and the debris removal are finished within three days.
What is the vacant lot rule in unincorporated Palm Beach County?
For one and two family homes, the county wants landscape plans or an affidavit that the lot will be redeveloped within 120 days of the demolition. If the redevelopment application doesn't come in, the county can refer it to code enforcement.
Does West Palm Beach require historic review for demolition?
Its demolition checklist says every demolition application goes to the city's historic preservation office for approval, along with utility releases, an extermination letter and a stormwater pollution prevention plan.
Is a Florida contractor license valid in Palm Beach County?
A Florida certified general contractor license is a state license and works in every county, including Palm Beach. A local certificate from another county generally doesn't.
This article is general information based on Palm Beach County, Department of Health and city sources as of November 2026. Checklists, fees, seasons and review steps change, and each city has its own requirements. Confirm with your building department before you apply.