Palm Beach County waives building permit fees following flooding, plane crash

Palm Beach County officials have approved a temporary waiver of building permit fees for property owners and businesses affected by recent flooding and a private aircraft crash, offering financial relief as residents begin repairing damaged structures.

The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners approved the six-month waiver through the county's Planning, Zoning and Building Department (PZB). The measure applies to eligible properties in unincorporated Palm Beach County.

Under the initiative, qualifying property owners can have certain building permit fees waived for repairs involving structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical damage directly resulting from either incident.

The waiver covers building permit applications submitted between November 10, 2026, and May 10, 2027.

The relief is intended to reduce the financial burden on affected residents and businesses as they work to restore damaged properties. However, the waiver applies only to eligible permit fees and does not eliminate applicable building code requirements or required inspections.

County officials said PZB staff will also provide priority assistance to affected property owners, including help with permit applications, inspection scheduling, permit status inquiries and general guidance throughout the repair process.

Certain emergency repairs may begin before a permit is issued, provided property owners comply with applicable emergency permitting requirements. Residents are encouraged to contact the Building Division before proceeding with such work.

The county is also warning residents to remain vigilant against unlicensed contractors, particularly in the aftermath of disasters, when demand for repair services typically increases.

Property owners are encouraged to verify contractors' licenses and insurance coverage, obtain written estimates and secure written contracts before authorizing repairs.

Contractor licensing can be verified through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at 850-487-1395 or Palm Beach County Contractor Regulations at 561-233-5525.

Suspected unlicensed contracting activity can be reported by calling 866-9NO-SCAM or 561-233-5525.

Affected residents and businesses seeking assistance with permits can contact the Palm Beach County Building Division at 561-233-5100, email PZB-BLDG@PBC.GOV or visit the county's Building Division website.

The waiver follows two emergencies that struck Palm Beach County in early November.

On November 1, a Learjet 60 traveling from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas crashed near Military Trail and 10th Avenue North, killing all nine people aboard. The crash caused fires, scattered debris, damaged nearby property and infrastructure, and left a large crater in the roadway. Federal investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the crash, including severe weather.

The county was also affected by widespread flooding between November 1 and 3, prompting emergency response operations across the area.

Palm Beach County declared a local state of emergency on November 1, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency declaration for the county on November 4 in response to the flooding. The county's Emergency Operations Center was activated at Level 2 to coordinate the response to both emergencies.

During its November 10 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners considered separate resolutions addressing structural damage from the aircraft crash and flooding. The county's agenda also included a proposed $250,000 grant program to support businesses affected by the closure of Military Trail.

As recovery efforts continued, the Florida Department of Transportation announced on November 12 that two northbound lanes of Military Trail had reopened following repairs to damaged utilities and the crater left by the crash.

According to the county's official recovery assistance guidance, property owners seeking priority assistance should provide their name, property address, contact information and a brief description of the damage.

The county has also clarified that the fee waiver may be extended beyond May 10, 2027, if approved by the Board of County Commissioners. All other legally required permitting conditions, including licensing, insurance and inspections, remain in effect.