Bolthole Index

Palm Beach County, Florida

Building permits, zoning and septic in Town of Haverhill, Florida

Town of Haverhill, Florida requires building permits for structural improvements and home repairs through the town Building Department.1 Haverhill sets its own zoning, while septic permits come from the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County.23 In the town’s R-1 district, the minimum dwelling area is 1,750 square feet, excluding accessory uses.4

At a glance

Building permits
Town Building Department; obtain the building permit before work begins.1
Zoning
Town zoning applies inside Haverhill.2
Septic permits
Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County.3
R-1 minimum home size
1,750 square feet, excluding accessory uses.4
R-1 minimum lot size
10,000 square feet.5
RV placement
Flood-hazard-area temporary placement: fewer than 180 consecutive days or fully licensed and highway-ready; this does not establish residential occupancy permission.6
Accessory dwelling
Maximum 1 ADU with an existing owner-occupied detached home; no rental or separate sale.7

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Haverhill Building Department

Town building-permit applications, code-compliance inspections and questions about whether proposed work needs a building permit.

561-689-0370 Ext. 2

permits@townofhaverhill-fl.gov

4585 Charlotte Street Haverhill FL 33417

Planning & zoning

Town of Haverhill Town Administrator

Town Hall contact to request routing for zoning, land-development and floodplain questions; a separate planning counter could not be confirmed.

561-689-0370 Ext. 1

4585 Charlotte Street Haverhill FL 33417

Septic permits

Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County - Environmental Public Health

Septic-system plan review and permitting, septic and well approvals, and private-well location review

561-840-4500

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Haverhill means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Town of Haverhill, FL?

Haverhill requires building permits for structural improvements, including roofing, electrical work, plumbing, mechanical installation or replacement, alterations and additions.1 Fences, sheds, patios, slabs and driveways also need town building permits, and the building permit must be issued before work begins.1 Painting and replacing carpet or interior tile in single-family homes are examples the town lists as work without a building permit.1 Haverhill’s building, electrical and plumbing permit fees follow a schedule adopted by town-council resolution and are payable when filing the application; ask the Building Department for the current charges for your project.8

Who issues building permits in Town of Haverhill?

The Town of Haverhill Building Department accepts completed building-permit applications in person or by email at permits@townofhaverhill-fl.gov.1 Call 561-689-0370 Ext. 2 or visit 4585 Charlotte Street Haverhill FL 33417 for building-permit questions.1 Contractors working in Haverhill must register with the town before beginning work.1 The department performs code-compliance inspections, and every building permit requires a final inspection.1 For a next-business-day inspection, contact the department by 3 pm using its inspection phone or email.1

Does Town of Haverhill have zoning, lot-size and setback rules?

Haverhill has town zoning with district-specific building requirements; confirm the parcel’s district with Town Hall before designing a home.29 In Haverhill’s R-1 single-family residential district, the minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet and the minimum dwelling area is 1,750 square feet, excluding accessory uses.54 R-1 setbacks are at least 30 feet in front, 10 feet at the side and 15 feet at the rear; corner lots have a 30-foot street-side setback.10 The R-1 maximum building height is 30 feet.11 These R-1 dimensions should not be applied to a parcel in another district.9

How do septic permits and wells work in Town of Haverhill?

Septic permitting inside Haverhill remains with the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, while DEP implements the statewide onsite-sewage statutes and regulations.12 The health office reviews septic and applicable well plans before a building permit can be issued.13 Final well and septic approvals must be recorded before the building department issues a certificate of occupancy.14 Well drillers submit location plans to the health office before drilling; ask that office which approvals apply to your proposed well.13 Palm Beach County’s soil ratings show 0% rated not limited for conventional septic drain fields; that countywide figure calls for a site evaluation, not a conclusion that septic is impossible on a Haverhill lot.15

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Town of Haverhill?

Haverhill’s temporary-placement rule for RVs and park trailers applies specifically in flood hazard areas: stay fewer than 180 consecutive days, or keep the vehicle fully licensed and ready for highway use.6 The highway-ready alternative allows quick-disconnect utilities but no permanent additions, rooms, stairs, decks or porches; that floodplain rule alone does not establish permission for residential RV occupancy.6 We could not confirm a separate tiny-home occupancy rule; ask Town Hall about the proposed use, and remember that the R-1 minimum dwelling area is 1,750 square feet.4 Haverhill allows at most 1 ADU with an existing owner-occupied detached principal home, subject to family-eligibility and homestead conditions; the ADU cannot be rented or separately sold.7

What are the steps to building a home in Town of Haverhill?

Start with Town Hall to confirm the zoning district and compare the proposed home with that district’s dimensions.9 For development wholly or partly in a flood hazard area, apply to the town Floodplain Administrator and building official as applicable, including for structures exempt from the Florida Building Code.16 Obtain health-office approval of applicable septic and well plans before the building permit, then submit the town building-permit application and pay the applicable fees.1318 Wait for the building permit before starting work, schedule inspections, and complete final well or septic approvals before the certificate of occupancy.114 For land outside town limits, use the Palm Beach County guide; the county zoning framework cited here applies to unincorporated land.17

Watch-outs

  • Haverhill floodplain development approval can still be required for structures exempt from the Florida Building Code.16
  • We could not confirm Haverhill’s public-water or sewer connection mandate or off-grid sanitation rules; ask Town Hall and the Palm Beach County health office before buying for an off-grid home.1813
  • Florida’s owner-builder exemption has occupancy and direct-supervision conditions and does not waive building permits or code compliance; ask Haverhill’s Building Department how to apply.19

Sources

  1. Town of Haverhill Building Department (townofhaverhill-fl.gov)
  2. Town of Haverhill Code, Sec. 58-170, Building requirements (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic Tanks and Private Drinking Water Wells (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  4. Town of Haverhill Code, Sec. 58-170, Building requirements (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  5. Town of Haverhill Code, Sec. 58-170, Building requirements (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  6. Sec. 44-191. Temporary placement (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sec. 58-553. Number of units (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  8. Sec. 14-2. Permit and inspection fees for building, electricity and plumbing (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  9. Town of Haverhill Code, Sec. 58-170, Building requirements (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  10. library.municode.com (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  11. Sec. 58-170. Building requirements (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  12. Wastewater Systems (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  13. Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County - Environmental Public Health (palmbeach.floridahealth.gov)
  14. Septic Tanks and Private Drinking Water Wells (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  15. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Sec. 44-41. Permits required (Town of Haverhill), quoted and re-checked
  17. Planning, Zoning & Building - Zoning (2026 county census)
  18. Town of Haverhill Town Administrator (townofhaverhill-fl.gov)
  19. 2026 Florida Statutes § 489.103, Exemptions (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Haverhill

Town of Haverhill’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Swimming pools, spas, and barrier requirements inside Haverhill town.

    • The cited provision addresses swimming pools and spas rather than every building-code subject.
    • The Florida Building Code is amended and adopted by the state from time to time.
    “Swimming pools and spas, and barrier requirements, shall be governed by the provisions of the Florida Building Code, Residential, as amended and adopted by the state from time to time.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Swimming pools, spas, and barrier requirements inside Haverhill town.
      “Swimming pools and spas, and barrier requirements, shall be governed by the provisions of the Florida Building Code, Residential, as amended and adopted by the state from time to time.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings inside Haverhill town using wells or septic systems.

    • Final inspection and approval of the well or septic system must be recorded before the certificate of occupancy is issued.
    • The Palm Beach County health office reviews the applicable plans before a building permit can be issued.
    “Final inspection and approval of wells and septic systems are forwarded to the section by our field offices and must be recorded in the building department’s computer prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land within Haverhill town limits, including the R-1 residential zoning district.

    • Development remains subject to the applicable district regulations.
    “Building requirements in an R-1 single-family residential district are as follows:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land inside Haverhill town subject to its Chapter 58 zoning districts.

    • The supplied code sections publish district regulations for R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential districts.
    “Building requirements in an R-1 single-family residential district are as follows:”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Required setbacks in the Haverhill town R-1 single-family residential district.

    • Corner lots have a 30-foot front setback, 30-foot street-side setback, and 15-foot rear setback.

    minimum front setback: >= 30 feet (Corner-lot front setback is also 30 feet.) · minimum side setback: >= 10 feet (Corner-lot street-side setback is 30 feet.) · minimum rear setback: >= 15 feet

    “Minimum front setback [...] 30 feet (5) Minimum side setback [...] 10 feet (6) Minimum rear setback [...] 15 feet”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Maximum building height in the Haverhill town R-1 single-family residential district.

    maximum building height: <= 30 feet

    “Maximum building height [...].. 30 feet (8) Minimum dwelling unit area, excluding accessory uses [...].. 1,750 square feet”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary placement of recreational vehicles and park trailers in Haverhill town flood hazard areas.

    • The vehicle must remain on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, or be fully licensed and ready for highway use.
    • Quick-disconnect utilities and security devices are allowed; permanent attachments such as additions, rooms, stairs, decks, and porches are not allowed under the highway-ready alternative.

    maximum consecutive days under first alternative: < 180 days (The alternative is being on site fewer than 180 consecutive days.)

    “Recreational vehicles and park trailers placed temporarily in flood hazard areas shall: (1) Be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; or (2) Be fully licensed and ready for highway use, which means the recreational vehicle or park model is on wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick-disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanent attachments such as additions, rooms, stairs, decks and porches.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units on lots with an existing owner-occupied principal single-family detached dwelling in Haverhill town.

    • Maximum one ADU.
    • The principal dwelling must be existing and owner occupied.
    • The ADU may be attached or freestanding.
    • The ADU and principal dwelling must remain under the same ownership.
    • The owner must occupy either the principal residence or the ADU.
    • The ADU may not be rented, subdivided, or sold as a condominium or otherwise.
    • Eligibility is limited to the listed relatives and homestead-exemption conditions in Sec. 58-559.

    maximum accessory dwelling units: 1 unit (Per existing owner-occupied principal single-family detached dwelling.)

    “A maximum of one accessory dwelling unit may be permitted as an accessory use to a principal single family detached dwelling unit which is existing and owner occupied. The ADU may be attached to the principal dwelling or freestanding.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Residential development inside Haverhill town that is approved pursuant to Chapter 54, Subdivisions.

    • The cited R-2 provision establishes a 25-foot front-setback alternative for development approved under Chapter 54, subject to a 100-foot facing-house separation.
    “25 feet for lots in a development approved pursuant to Chapter 54, Subdivisions”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Any development activity wholly or partly within a Haverhill town flood hazard area.

    • The requirement includes buildings, structures, and facilities exempt from the Florida Building Code.
    • Application must be made to the floodplain administrator and building official if applicable.
    • No permit or approval may issue until the floodplain chapter and other applicable codes and regulations are satisfied.
    “Any owner or owner's authorized agent (hereinafter "applicant") who intends to undertake any development activity within the scope of this chapter, including buildings, structures and facilities exempt from the Florida Building Code, which is wholly within or partially within any flood hazard area shall first make application to the floodplain administrator, and the building official if applicable, and shall obtain the required permit(s) and approval(s).”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building, electricity, and plumbing permit and inspection fees inside Haverhill town.

    • Fees are payable when filing the application.
    • The amount follows the fee schedule and related charges adopted from time to time by town-council resolution.
    • Impact fees, fire review fees, ERM fees, health-department review fees, and SWA fees are separately identified in the ordinance.
    “On all buildings, structures or alterations requiring a building permit, a fee shall be paid as required at the time of filing the application in accordance with the fee schedule and related charges adopted from time to time by resolution of the town council.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Haverhill

Town of Haverhill does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential district inside Haverhill town.

    • Excludes accessory uses.

    minimum dwelling unit area: >= 1750 square feet (Excluding accessory uses.)

    “Minimum dwelling unit area, excluding accessory uses [...].. 1,750 square feet”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-2 two-family residential district inside Haverhill town.

    • 5,500 square feet applies to a single-family detached dwelling; 12,500 square feet applies to a duplex on one lot; 6,250 square feet applies to a unit attached to another unit and joined by a common wall on a lot line.

    minimum lot size for single-family detached dwelling: >= 5500 square feet

    “Minimum lot size [...].. 5,500 square feet for a single family detached dwelling unit; 12,500 square feet for a duplex on one lot; or 6,250 square feet for a unit attached to another unit and joined by a common wall on a lot line.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems inside Haverhill town.

    • DEP is responsible for implementing Florida statutes and regulations applicable to OSTDS.
    • The Palm Beach County health department continues permitting and inspection for septic tanks.
    “Effective July 1, 2021, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for implementing the Florida Statutes and regulations applicable to OSTDS. Under Florida’s Clean Waterways Act of 2020, the county health department offices will continue to do the permitting and inspection for septic tanks; please continue to work with them for all of your permitting-related needs.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Septic systems inside Haverhill town.

    • Palm Beach County health department offices perform septic-tank permitting.
    • Applicable state and county regulations must be satisfied.
    “The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County is charged with regulating, permitting and monitoring proper onsite sewage treatment and disposal.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic systems inside Haverhill town.

    • County health department offices continue septic-tank inspections.
    • Private-provider inspections may be available under the stated program.
    “Under Florida’s Clean Waterways Act of 2020, the county health department offices will continue to do the permitting and inspection for septic tanks; please continue to work with them for all of your permitting-related needs.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Haverhill or Palm Beach County directly.

  • Building permit — Ordinary residential construction inside Haverhill town, outside the flood-hazard-area rule separately recorded.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Haverhill town.
  • Inspections — Ordinary residential construction inside Haverhill town.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Haverhill town.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems inside Haverhill town.
5 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Haverhill publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Palm Beach County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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