• Development Review Calendar December 2025 - April 2026 (Updated 12/15/25)
• Development Review Calendar April 2026 - August 2026 (updated 02/03/26)
• Development Review Application (Updated 05/19/23)
• Development Review Instructions
• Certificate of Mailing (USPS Form 3665 and instructions)
• Development Review Checklist (Updated 05/23/23)
• Town of Palm Beach Zoning Legend (Updated 06/27/23)
• Town of Palm Beach Landscape Legend (Updated 07/27/23)

Architectural Commission Review

Resources:

• Link to Town Code
• ARCOM Administrative Review Application
• ARCOM Administrative Review Guide
• ARCOM Project Designation Matrix
• Neighbor Consent Form
• Truck Logistics Plan SAMPLE
• Worth Avenue Design Guidelines

History

ARCOM developed from the Art Jury, which was established in the 1920s to safeguard the Town’s architecture. An article in the Palm Beach Daily News noted: “To the visitor here, there is always an air of serenity. Back of that exterior there is constantly at work brains and brawn that go to create this unique and most individual of all resort communities…this serenity upon the surface made possible by most able co-operation and co-ordination of every chap who has a home here and the executive working force of that sentiment is particularly manifested in this Art Jury, created for the express purpose of protecting property owners and the beauty of Palm Beach.”

The original members of the Art Jury included architects Addison Mizner, Marion Sims Wyeth, Maurice Fatio, engineer Halpin Smith, and landscape architect Charles Perroechet.

Architectural Commission (ARCOM)

The Architectural Commission Ordinance states, "The essential foundation of beauty in communities is harmony.” The general role of the Commission is to review and ensure that projects:

• Create harmony
• Do not disrupt the aesthetic quality of their surroundings
• Achieve a balance with the neighboring properties
• Are appropriate about the established character of other structures in the immediate area or neighboring areas with respect to significant design features

Architectural Commission Membership

ARCOM reviews and approves modifications to existing structures visible from public rights-of-way, new construction, and landscaping. The seven members and three alternate members are Town registered voters appointed by the Town Council. At least two (2) and up to three (3) of the members must be licensed architects, of which one (1) must be a licensed landscape architect or a master gardener. The remaining members should have knowledge or interest in architecture, planning, development, landscaping, real estate, etc..

Historic Preservation

Resources

• Landmarks Administrative Review Application
• Landmarks Administrative Review Guide
• Landmarks Preservation Commission Project Designation Guide
• Landmarks Tax Abatement Application
• Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)  
• Landmarks Manual 
• Historic Resources Map
• Sample Truck Logistics Plan
• Worth Ave. Design Guidelines

About the Program

In 1979, to combat the loss of the Town of Palm Beach’s historic resources, the Town Council adopted a Historic Preservation Ordinance (Palm Beach Code, Chapter 54, Historic Preservation, Section 54-36). The purpose of this ordinance was to study and protect Palm Beach’s most significant architectural achievements, ensuring that the heritage of Palm Beach would not be lost for future generations. Since that time, the ordinance has been amended to clarify its purpose and requirements.

Landmarks Preservation Commission

The Historic Preservation Ordinance provides for the appointment by the Town Council of a Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). This commission is comprised of seven members, six of whom must be Town of Palm Beach residents. The commission meets monthly, on the third Wednesday, to identify significant structures, designate ones worthy as landmarks of the Town of Palm Beach, and review modifications to landmarked structures using a set of objective criteria. If the LPC determines that a building is worthy of study, the property will be proposed for consideration, it will then be studied by the Town’s consultant, and later discussed at a subsequent public hearing. At this public hearing, the LPC will vote on whether or not to recommend to the Town Council that the building under consideration be designated a Landmark of the Town of Palm Beach. The Landmarks Commission’s recommendation must be ratified by the Town Council.

Determining Historic Districts

The LPC has a similar process for determining historic districts or historically scenic areas. A historic district is intended to protect a specific geographic area that is highly concentrated with significant structures. However, not all buildings within the district's boundaries need to necessarily fulfill the criteria for individual designation.

Landmark Status

Not all old structures are worthy of landmark status. A building could be significant due an important historical association, an outstanding example of architectural design, or the significant work of a notable architect or master craftsman. Besides recommending the designation of worthy properties, the LPC also reviews changes and alterations to existing Landmark properties, issuing Certificates of Appropriateness for work to be done, and oversees the Town’s Tax Abatement program.

Over 328 landmark properties, sites, and vistas are currently protected under the Historic Preservation Ordinance of the Town of Palm Beach.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Town staff to discuss the possibility of landmarking your beautiful property!

The Town of Palm Beach Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan directly and indirectly influences all aspects of daily life, including where people live, what uses are allowed, ensuring natural areas are protected and available to visit and enjoy, and how one is able to get to and from these places safely. The Comprehensive Plan provides the policy framework to address Quality of Life Issues. 

Pursuant to §163.3177, Fla. Stat., the state requires certain “Elements” of a comprehensive plan while also allowing for optional ones that are specific to the particulars of a local jurisdiction. Each Element requires Goals, Objectives and Policies that are based upon the data and analysis of historical and current statistics, housing needs, development trends, natural resource protection, an adequate multi-mobile transportation network, and the ability to provide necessary public services and facilities. Referred to as the Community Planning Act, the law also mandates per §163.3191, Fla. Stat. that every seven years, local governments update their comprehensive plans through a process referred to as the Evaluation and Appraisal Review (EAR) that addresses any changes in state law since the last update to a local comprehensive plan that may impact local comprehensive plans.

A comprehensive plan is a blueprint to guide the growth, development of land, resource protection, and provision of public services and facilities. It is not intended to include the regulations that are found in the zoning code, but rather to require identification of Goals, Objectives and Policies that promote the vision of a community, which are then implemented through the Code and other regulating documents. 

Through the EAR process, the Town addressed the following in each of the Elements of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update.

• Assessed how the Comprehensive Plan has guided planning, growth, and redevelopment

  since the last EAR-based amendment.

• Identified any changes to federal, state, and local matters that have impacted the Town of Palm Beach.

• Identified and evaluated changing conditions and trends as they relate to maintaining Quality of Life for the residents of the Town of Palm Beach.

• Assessed both successes and shortcomings of the Plan.

• Identified changes to the Plan needed to reflect current conditions and direction.

• Determined the financial feasibility of the Town Comprehensive Plan and the extent to which adopted Level of Service (LOC) Standards have been met.

• Responded to changes in Florida Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code regarding growth management and development.

• Responded to changes to the State Comprehensive Plan and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Strategic Regional Policy Plan as they affect Palm Beach's Comprehensive Plan.

• Prepared updated population estimates and projections.

As part of the Town's community participation process, staff meetings to review the Data and Analysis and associated Goals, Objectives and Policies were held.  Additionally, introductory meetings before the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) and Town Council were held to discuss the proposed 2024 Comprehensive Plan update. Town Council, acting as the Local Planning Agency, adopted the Comprehensive Plan at the February 12, 2025 hearing. The Comprehensive Plan was then transmitted to the State for final approval.

• 2024 Comprehensive Plan
• Planning and Zoning Commission

Zoning

Resouces:

• Zoning Map
• Zoning Verification Letter Request Instructions and Application
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment Form
  
• Notice of Substantial Improvement Determination
• Outdoor Café Seating Permit Application

Zoning has been recognized as a legitimate exercise of a local government’s police powers since 1926, when zoning was tested by the United States Supreme Court in Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., 272 U.S. 365, 47 S. Ct. 114 (1926). Following the Euclid case, almost every community in America, including Palm Beach, adopted what is commonly referred to as Euclidean zoning – a brand of zoning known for its emphasis on use segregation and setbacks for the protection of property against incompatible land uses and the preservation of light and airflow.

The Town’s first municipal zoning code, Zoning Ordinance Number One, was enacted in 1929. A major zoning code rewrite and overhaul occurred in 1974. Piecemeal code amendments have been made to the 1974 Zoning Code over the past 50 years.

The Town’s land development regulations can be found in Chapter 134, Zoning, in the Code of Ordinances. Those provisions regulate land uses, building setbacks, height, overall height, setbacks, lot coverage, building volume and mass, and landscape open space. Zoning Districts are depicted on the Zoning Map. In addition, the Town’s concurrency management requirements, which require infrastructure provisions for development and redevelopment, can be found in Chapter 30. The regulations for the subdivision or splitting of land in the town can be found in Chapter 110 of the Code of Ordinances. These Code provisions are on the Town of Palm Beach Municipal Code Corporation website.