Bolthole Index

Palm Beach County, Florida

Building permits, zoning and septic in Village of North Palm Beach, FL

Village of North Palm Beach, Florida requires issuance of a building permit before work that needs a building permit begins.1 The Village administers its own zoning, while septic permitting and inspections stay with the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County.23 Apply for Village building permits through the MGO Customer Portal.4

At a glance

Building permits
Village building permit must be issued before covered work begins1
Zoning
Village zoning code and map; requirements differ by district2
Septic permits
Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County3
Owner-builder
In-person affidavit and notarized signatures; licensed contractors required for multifamily housing5
Single-family lot size
R-1: at least 7,500 square feet and 75 feet wide at the building line6
Building height
R-1: maximum 2 stories and 30 feet, with specified measurement rules and exclusions7
Building permit fees
Job-value based; surcharges, reviews and impact fees may affect the total8

Who to call

Building permits

Village of North Palm Beach Building Division

Village building permit applications, inspections, building records and flood-zone information

561-841-3365, Option 1

permits@village-npb.org

701 U.S. Highway 1 Suite 100 North Palm Beach, FL 33408

Online permits →

Zoning

Village of North Palm Beach Community Development Department

Village zoning questions and zoning confirmation letter requests

561-841-3365

npbcommdev@village-npb.org

701 U.S. Highway, 1 Suite 100 North Palm Beach, FL 33408

Online permits →

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 Village of North Palm Beach means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Village of North Palm Beach, FL?

For work requiring a building permit in Village of North Palm Beach, the permit must be issued before any work starts; beginning early carries penalties.1 Village building permit fees depend on the job’s contract value and fee schedule, with fire plan review, state surcharges, subcontractor count and impact fees potentially affecting the total.8 An owner-builder application requires an affidavit submitted in person and notarized signatures; multifamily work, including condominium work, requires licensed contractors.5

Who issues building permits in Village of North Palm Beach?

The Village of North Palm Beach Building Division is the contact for Village building permit applications and inspection questions.9 Village building permit applications must go through the MGO Customer Portal, and contractor registration must be completed before an application is submitted.4 Required plans, signatures, insurance, affidavits and other supporting documents accompany the application; inspections for MGO permits are scheduled through the portal.4 For an existing property, the Building Division links to Citizen Self-Serve for building permit and inspection history.9

Does Village of North Palm Beach have zoning and minimum lot sizes?

Village of North Palm Beach administers its own zoning code and map, with district regulations in Appendix C of the Village Code.2 In the R-1 single-family district, a lot or building site must contain at least 7,500 square feet and measure at least 75 feet wide at the building line.6 R-1 homes are limited to 2 stories and 30 feet, with height measured from average existing grade outside special flood hazard areas and required design flood elevation inside them.7 Ask Community Development for a zoning confirmation letter before sizing a proposed home to a particular parcel.10

How do septic permits work inside Village of North Palm Beach?

Septic permitting and inspection for property inside Village of North Palm Beach remain with the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, rather than the Village building office.3 The health department reviews septic-system, private-well and limited-use-well plans, and those plans must be approved before a building permit can be issued.11 Well drillers submit location plans to the health department before drilling.11 Coordinate the sanitation and water design with that office early, because the health approval comes before the building permit in the published review sequence.11

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Village of North Palm Beach?

Village of North Palm Beach prohibits lodging or camping on public property not authorized for that purpose and on private property without the owner’s permission.12 The private-property permission exception addresses unauthorized camping; it does not establish approval for residential RV use under the Village zoning code.12 We could not confirm residential RV, tiny-home or accessory-dwelling permission; ask Village Community Development about the proposed use and parcel.10 For R-2 multiple-family structures, a one-bedroom dwelling unit must have at least 750 square feet, plus 150 square feet for each additional bedroom; that provision is not a confirmed R-1 single-family minimum.13

Building a home in Village of North Palm Beach: what comes first?

  1. Ask Village Community Development to confirm the parcel’s zoning district and request a zoning confirmation letter before choosing a home layout.210
  2. Ask the Village Building Division for flood-zone information; an elevation certificate may be required for building permits in a Special Flood Hazard Area.9
  3. If proposing septic or a private well, obtain the health department’s plan approval before the building permit is issued.11
  4. Complete contractor registration and submit the building permit application and supporting documents through MGO, or satisfy the Village’s owner-builder requirements.45
  5. Wait for building permit issuance before starting work, then schedule MGO inspections through the portal.14

What should you check before buying in Village of North Palm Beach?

For a Village of North Palm Beach parcel, start with Village zoning and the Building Division’s flood-zone information rather than assuming county zoning governs the address.29 For land outside village limits, consult the Palm Beach County guide for the county’s unincorporated-area zoning framework.14 We could not confirm the Village’s public-water or sewer connection conditions, driveway-access rules or general certificate-of-occupancy requirements; ask Community Development which approvals apply to the proposed project.10 Where septic or wells are involved, the health department requires final approvals to be recorded before a certificate of occupancy is issued.11

Watch-outs

  • Owner-builder status does not waive the Village building permit process, and multifamily housing work requires licensed contractors.51
  • R-1 rooftops may not be used for pools, decks or congregation spaces.7
  • An elevation certificate may be required for Village building permits within a Special Flood Hazard Area; ask the Building Division for a flood-zone determination.9
  • The Village posts a July 2026 exemption process for certain small home improvement projects under $7,500; electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical and gas work still require a building permit regardless of value.9 Ask the Building Division whether the exemption request applies to your project.9

Sources

  1. North Palm Beach FAQs (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  2. Code of Ordinances, Appendix C Zoning, Sec. 45-27 R-1 single-family dwelling district (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  3. Wastewater Systems (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  4. Village of North Palm Beach Permit Application Submittal Requirements (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  5. Permit Application Submittal Requirements (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  6. Code of Ordinances, Appendix C Zoning, Sec. 45-27 R-1 single-family dwelling district (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sec. 45-27. R-1 single-family dwelling district (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  8. Village of North Palm Beach Building Permit Fee Schedule (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  9. Village of North Palm Beach Building Division (village-npb.org)
  10. Village of North Palm Beach Community Development Department (village-npb.org)
  11. Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County - Environmental Public Health (palmbeach.floridahealth.gov)
  12. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 19-11 Unauthorized lodging and camping (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  13. Code of Ordinances, Appendix C Zoning, Sec. 45-28 R-2 multiple-family dwelling district (Village of North Palm Beach), quoted and re-checked
  14. Planning, Zoning & Building - Zoning (2026 county census)

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 Village of North Palm Beach

Village of North Palm Beach’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building work inside North Palm Beach village when a building permit is required.

    • The building permit must be issued before any work is performed.
    • Penalties apply for work commenced before issuance.
    “The building permit must be issued prior to any work being performed.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Owner-builder permit applications inside North Palm Beach village where a licensed contractor is not used.

    • An Owner/Builder Affidavit must be submitted in person.
    • A list of materials and labor costs may be required.
    • Licensed contractors are required for work in multifamily housing, including condominiums.
    • Signatures must be notarized for all Owner/Builder Permit Applications.
    “Owner/Builder Affidavit must be submitted if a licensed contractor is not being used.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    New plans submitted for projects inside North Palm Beach village.

    • The stated edition applies to new plans submitted on or after January 1, 2024.

    Florida Building Code edition: 2023 FBC 8th Edition (Plans submitted on or after January 1, 2024.)

    “all new plans must comply with the 2023 FBC 8th Edition”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Development inside North Palm Beach village requiring a floodplain development permit or approval.

    • This claim establishes inspection for floodplain-permitted development; the opened materials did not establish the complete inspection sequence for every residential permit type.
    “Development for which a floodplain development permit or approval is required shall be subject to inspection.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside North Palm Beach village, including the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts.

    • Uses are limited to those permitted in the applicable zoning district.
    “Within any R-1 single-family dwelling district no building, structure, land or water shall be used except for one (1) or more of the following uses:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside North Palm Beach village.

    • The Village official licensing-and-permits page links residents to the North Palm Beach Zoning Map.
    “Within any R-1 single-family dwelling district no building, structure, land or water shall be used except for one (1) or more of the following uses:”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Multiple-family dwelling structures in the R-2 multiple-family dwelling district.

    • The stated minimum applies to each one-bedroom dwelling unit; each additional bedroom requires additional floor area.

    one-bedroom minimum floor area: 750 square feet (An additional 150 square feet is required for each additional bedroom.)

    “minimum floor area of seven hundred fifty (750) square feet”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Each single-family dwelling in the R-1 single-family dwelling district.

    • Lot width is measured at the building line.

    minimum lot area: 7500 square feet · minimum lot width: 75 feet (Measured at the building line.)

    “seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Main buildings in R-2 multiple-family dwelling structures having more than two dwelling units.

    • The provision applies where the dwelling structure has more than two units.

    maximum main-building site coverage: <= 35 percent (For dwelling structures having in excess of two dwelling units.)

    “shall occupy more than thirty-five (35) percent of the site area”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the R-1 district.

    • Height is measured from average existing grade outside special flood hazard areas and from required design flood elevation inside special flood hazard areas.
    • Rooftops may not be used for pools, decks, or congregation spaces.
    • Decorative architectural elements and specified appurtenances are excluded.

    maximum stories: <= 2 stories · maximum height: <= 30 feet

    “limited to two (2) stories and thirty (30) feet in height.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Parked recreational vehicles on sites with a single-family or duplex residence in R-1 and R-2 districts.

    • The prohibition concerns use for living, sleeping, housekeeping, or storage while parked.
    • The parking section allows up to two pieces of equipment, no more than one RV, subject to its listed location, registration, screening, and dimensional conditions.
    “shall not be used for living or sleeping quarters”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping inside North Palm Beach village.

    • Camping on public property is allowed only where that property is authorized for the purpose.
    • Camping on private property requires the property owner's permission and consent.
    “on private property without the permission and consent of the property owner”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes installed in flood hazard areas inside North Palm Beach village.

    • The installer must be licensed under F.S. § 320.8249.
    • The home must comply with Chapter 15C-1, F.A.C. and Village flood requirements.
    • Seaward of the coastal construction control line, the more restrictive applicable requirements apply.
    “All manufactured homes installed in flood hazard areas”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveways associated with new structures, additions, or substantial renovations inside North Palm Beach village.

    • A property survey or site plan is required if applicable; driveways are named as an example.
    • The source does not establish a separate right-of-way access-permit standard.
    “Property survey or site plan, if applicable.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development inside North Palm Beach village for which a floodplain development permit or approval is required.

    • Such development is subject to inspection.
    • For new structures, additions, and substantial renovations where any portion lies in Flood Zones A, AE, V, or VE, the Village requires the listed flood-related application materials.
    “permit applications for new structures, additions and/or substantial renovations”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits and listed associated actions inside North Palm Beach village.

    • The fee schedule states a $78 minimum plus applicable plan-review fee.
    • Additional statutory surcharges and category-specific fees may apply.

    minimum permit fee: 78 USD (Plus plan review fee if applicable.)

    “$78.00 Minimum plus plan review fee if applicable”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applicants inside North Palm Beach village.

    • Contractor registration and current license/insurance information are required before new permit or subpermit applications.
    • Owner/Builder applications have additional affidavit requirements.
    “Building Permit Applications must be submitted online through the MGO Customer Portal.”

Rules another office applies inside Village of North Palm Beach

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

  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems serving property inside North Palm Beach village.

    • Effective July 1, 2021, DEP is responsible for implementing applicable Florida statutes and regulations.
    • Palm Beach County health department offices continue septic permitting and inspection.
    • The Village is not identified as the septic permitting authority.
    “the county health department offices will continue to do the permitting and inspection for septic tanks”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — New residential construction or change of occupancy inside North Palm Beach village.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside North Palm Beach village.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside North Palm Beach village.
  • Septic permit — Onsite sewage treatment inside North Palm Beach village.
  • Septic inspection — Onsite sewage treatment inside North Palm Beach village.
5 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Village of North Palm Beach 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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