Do I need a Notice of Commencement in West Palm Beach?

Florida law requires a recorded Notice of Commencement when the contract price is greater than $5,000 ($15,000 for repair or replacement of an existing heating or air conditioning system). Timing can vary, so confirm with the West Palm Beach building department whether it is due at application or before the first inspection.

What gets a building application rejected in West Palm Beach?

Insurance cert holder wording MUST match EXACTLY — verify with city at 561-805-6700. Two official city pages show slightly different wording. Application form page 2 requires fee simple titleholder, bonding company, architect/engineer, AND mortgage lender info when aggregate value >= $5,000 (except HVAC <$15,000). Cannot sell or lease property within 1 year of owner-builder completion without violating the exemption.

West Palm Beach Building Permit Requirements (2026 Checklist)

Building Permit checklist for West Palm Beach

Submit via EPL / Civic Access Portal: https://westpalmbeachfl-energovpub.tylerhost.net/Apps/SelfService#/home
Application form: Universal County-Wide/Municipal Building Permit Application (PBC, January 2024 Edition) — available at wpb.org/Departments/Development-Services/Forms-and-Documents
In-person: City Hall, 401 Clematis Street, WPB FL 33401 — Mon-Fri 8 AM - 5 PM
NoteLong wait times 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM — avoid these hours
CRITICAL: Palm Beach County is NOT in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ)
Wind zone: Wind-Borne Debris Region (WBDR) — different standards than HVHZ
All materials must have FLORIDA PRODUCT APPROVAL — do NOT use Miami-Dade NOAs
Code edition: Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023)
Contractor registration: email ds@wpb.org with ALL of the following (allow 1-2 business days):
(1) State license OR County competency license
(2) Valid local business tax receipt
(3) GL insurance certificate — cert holder MUST be: City of West Palm Beach, 401 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
(4) WC insurance certificate (same cert holder) — OR WC exemption copy if exempt
(5) Best phone number and email for your contractor account
GotchaInsurance cert holder wording MUST match EXACTLY — verify with city at 561-805-6700. Two official city pages show slightly different wording.
NOC required when direct contract > $5,000 (except HVAC repair/replacement < $15,000)
NOC must be recorded at PBC Recording Dept: 205 N Dixie Hwy (4th Floor), WPB FL 33401 — phone 561-355-2991
After recording, email PDF of recorded NOC to ds@wpb.org with permit number in subject line
NOC must be recorded AND posted on job site BEFORE first inspection — no inspections without it
GotchaApplication form page 2 requires fee simple titleholder, bonding company, architect/engineer, AND mortgage lender info when aggregate value >= $5,000 (except HVAC <$15,000)
Notary required if job value >= $5,000
Notary required for ALL owner/builders regardless of value
Online notarization accepted (form has Physical Presence OR Online Notarization checkbox)
Owner/builder per F.S. 489.103(7) — must personally supervise all work
Owner/builder must personally appear to sign application and complete Owner Builder Disclosure Statement
Owner/builder must provide proof of ownership + photo ID
GotchaCannot sell or lease property within 1 year of owner-builder completion without violating the exemption
Initial processing: ~5 days to be assigned to reviewer
First submission review: 30-40 days
Resubmission review: 20-30 days
NoteNo expedited review option currently available
Commercial: multiple departments review concurrently; 2-3 correction cycles typical
Plan review comments available via Civic Access Portal → Search permit → Reviews tab
Contact your plan reviewer directly — name, phone, and email are in the plan review comments
Find your inspector starting at 7:30 AM via Civic Access Portal → Today's Inspections
Call inspector directly for a 2-hour time window
Building Chief Inspector: Richard Brunelle — 561-805-6670
Mechanical Chief: Chris Montello — 561-805-6732
Electrical Chief: Phil Petty — 561-805-6742
Plumbing Chief: Ryan Brown — 561-805-6692
If unsure of inspection type, schedule MISCELLANEOUS for the correct trade and discuss with inspector
Flood zone verification required before application
Elevation certificates required for certain flood zones
Check flood zone: wpb.org/Departments/Development-Services/Flood-Information
GotchaHistoric district properties require additional Planning Division review
Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) required for changes to historic/landmarked properties
Private Provider option available per F.S. 553.791 — policy document on wpb.org Forms page
GotchaPrivate Provider application NOT complete until all other dept approvals obtained (Planning, Zoning, Engineering, Fire, Environmental, FL DOH)
GotchaWork without permit = 4x permit fee (Stop Work penalty)
Stop Work Order: email ds@wpb.org with property address in subject + photo/PDF of the order
Even if work was done by prior owner, CURRENT property owner is responsible
NoteMobility Fee (Ordinance 5130-25, adopted May 2025) — applies to Downtown projects only
Mobility fee assessed at permit application, payable before permit issuance
PBC Milestone inspections: buildings 3+ stories — due at 25 years (within 3 mi of coast) or 30 years (>3 mi) — then every 10 years per F.S. 553.899
Non-compliance: daily fines up to $500+/day, referral to Code Compliance, unsafe building designation
Expired permits: email expiredpermits@wpb.org — property address in subject — 2-4 business days
LANDSCAPE
Submit via EPL / Civic Access Portal
Tree Alteration Permit Application available on wpb.org Forms page (separate from landscape permit)
Landscape inspections requested through Civic Access Portal — date/time is a REQUEST, scheduled based on inspector availability
Covenant for Tree Maintenance form available on Forms page (Parks & Rec section)
WPB residential landscape requirements: wpb.org/I-Want-To/Learn/Residential-landscape-requirements
EASEMENT
Required when proposed work encroaches on or is adjacent to an easement
Submit with permit application

Requirements change. Confirm the current checklist with the West Palm Beach building department before you submit. See every permit type on the West Palm Beach permit requirements page.

West Palm Beach Building Permit Requirements

Check your building package.