Common rejection reasons in West Palm Beach
44 documented. Our analysis checks your package against these.
1Insurance cert holder wording DIFFERS between two official city pages! Permitting Info page says: 'City of West Palm Beach, 401 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401'. FAQ page says: 'City of West Palm Beach, 401 Clematis St West Palm Beach, F 33401'. USE the full Permitting Info version. Call 561-805-6700 to confirm EXACT required wording before submitting.
2Insurance certificates for BOTH GL and WC must list the city as certificate holder — not just one of them.
3NOC must be recorded at Palm Beach County Recording Dept, 205 N Dixie Hwy (4th Floor), WPB FL 33401, phone 561-355-2991.
4NOC threshold: $5,000 general, $15,000 for HVAC repair/replacement.
5After recording NOC, email PDF copy to ds@wpb.org with permit number in the subject line.
6NOC must be recorded AND posted on the job site BEFORE first inspection — no inspections without it.
7Per PBC application form, fee simple titleholder, bonding company, architect/engineer, AND mortgage lender info ALL required when aggregate value >= $5,000 (except HVAC <$15,000).
8Portal is EPL / Civic Access — NOT the old eGovPlus/CommunityPlus system.
9Contractor registration is via EMAIL to ds@wpb.org — not in-person — allow 1-2 business days.
10Find your inspector starting at 7:30 AM via Civic Access Portal → Today's Inspections tab.
11Call inspector directly for a 2-hour window after finding them on the portal.
12Long wait times 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM at City Hall — avoid these hours.
13West Palm Beach does NOT have a city roofing affidavit or roof package — use the Palm Beach County roofing affidavit.
14For roofing: schedule Building Miscellaneous inspection (code 143) BEFORE starting work to discuss expectations with inspector.
15Roofing inspections include: 111 Roof Framing, 112 Roof Metal/Tin Tag, 118 Roof Sheathing, 121 Roofing in Progress, 104 Final.
16Take EXTENSIVE photos during roof installation — inspector may accept photos + PBC affidavit at their discretion.
17Palm Beach County is NOT in the HVHZ — do NOT submit Miami-Dade NOAs. Use Florida Product Approval system only.
18All materials must have Florida Product Approval — check FL DBPR Product Approval database.
19ALL demolition applications MUST go through Historic Preservation for approval FIRST — regardless of whether property is in a historic district.
20Historic district properties require additional Planning Division review for ANY exterior changes.
21Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) required for changes to historic properties.
22Flood zone verification required before application submission.
23Elevation certificates required for properties in certain flood zones.
24Work without permit = 4x permit fee (Stop Work penalty).
25Even if you didn't do the work, or it was done before you bought the property, the CURRENT property owner is responsible for the permit.
26Stop Work Order non-compliance can result in additional penalties AND a lien on your property.
27Demolition requires utility releases from SIX separate entities: FPL, FL Public Utilities, AT&T, WPB Public Utilities, Comcast, and WPB Historic Preservation.
28Demolition requires licensed pest control extermination letter for rodent inspection.
29Sewer lateral cap-off permit required BEFORE demolition permit can be issued — submit via Civic Access.
30Demolition requires Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
31PBC Dept of Health asbestos abatement clearance required — contact 561-837-5974.
32Lot must be graded to sidewalk grade, seeded, and mulched after demolition.
33Demolition debris disposal fee: $1.50/cubic yard (Ord. 3944-06, Sec. 74-128).
34West Palm Beach has a city-specific AC Changeout Compliance Form — one form PER system.
35AC form requires BOTH replacement AND existing system specs: SEER/SEER2, BTU, model numbers, voltage, ampacity, breaker sizes.
36Inspector needs the AC Changeout Compliance Form at time of inspection.
37CO/CC/TCO requests by email ONLY to ds@wpb.org — include 'CO Request', 'CC Request', or 'TCO Request' in subject line.
3826-item CO checklist includes: fire alarm tested by Fire Marshal, water bacteriological test letter, stair pressurization test letter from engineer, State elevator inspection certificate, property line survey pins.
39Mobility Fee (Ordinance 5130-25, May 2025) applies to Downtown projects — assessed at permit application, payable before issuance.
40Landscape Permits and Artificial Turf Permits use the Building Division Permit Application — select 'Other' as the type.
41Expired permits: email expiredpermits@wpb.org with property address in subject — 2-4 business days response.
42If selling property, notify about expired/open permits EARLY — resolve before closing.
43Milestone inspections (PBC): buildings 3+ stories — due at 25 years (within 3 mi of coast) or 30 years (>3 mi) — then every 10 years.
44Private Provider policy exists (F.S. 553.791) — application not complete until all other dept approvals obtained (Planning, Zoning, Engineering, Fire, Environmental, FL DOH).