WallDockDeck
Boca Raton · Palm Beach County

What are the storm and debris rules in Boca Raton?

Next business dayto apply after emergency repairs

Boca Raton lets emergency repairs go ahead first, but the permit application must reach the building official before the close of business of the next business day. On a hurricane warning, construction sites must remove or tie down debris and materials, and owners may board up non-impact openings without a permit if the panels come down within 10 days.

Source: City of Boca Raton Code of Ordinances Secs. 14-18, 19-68, 19-100, 19-170 (Municode); Florida Building Code, Building, 8th Ed. (2023) s. 105.2.1 (ICC codes.iccsafe.org) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

Emergency repairsWhere equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted to the building official before the close of business of the next business day - Code Sec. 19-68 (Ord. 5455). State baseline for comparison: Florida Building Code 8th Ed. (2023) [A]105.2.1 says within the next working business day
Construction sitesUpon declaration of a hurricane warning, all solid waste stored on a construction site must be removed and disposed of or secured so it cannot become wind-borne debris; alternatively, construction materials must be tied, banded or placed in secured containers on the ground. 'Secured' means a protective covering or netting adequately sized and fastened on the ground - Sec. 19-170
Plywood without a permitOn a hurricane warning, owners of existing buildings with non-impact openings may temporarily install wood structural panels without a building permit; no later than 10 days after the warning expires, all temporary panels must be removed - Sec. 19-100 (Ord. 5512, 1-28-20)
Storm debrisWhen a state of local emergency is declared, the city may modify solid waste collection, including collection of storm debris, and may remove storm debris in private developments where that is in the public interest (immediate threats to life or property, economic recovery, or removing substantially damaged structures) - Sec. 14-18

Your city's height sheet

The elevation your city requires, the datum it is measured in, and the section of code that says so. One page.

Available for the cities whose rule we have verified and sourced.

Done — it is on the way to your inbox. Not there in a minute? Check your Promotions or Spam folder, and move it to your inbox so the next ones arrive.

The county rule behind this

What applies across Palm Beach County, and where each city departs from it.

Palm Beach CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

The rule changes at the city line, not the county line.

Palm BeachDelray BeachPalm BeachWest Palm BeachPalm BeachNorth Palm Beach

Other questions about Boca Raton

Seawall height requirementHow high does a seawall have to be in Boca Raton?Seawall permit processDo I need a permit to repair a seawall in Boca Raton?Flood zone & elevationWhat flood zone is Boca Raton in, and what does it require?Dock permit & size limitsHow big a dock can I build in Boca Raton?Boat lift rulesWhat are the boat lift rules in Boca Raton?Waterfront deck requirementsWhat are the deck setback and railing rules in Boca Raton?Checking a marine contractorHow do I check a marine contractor in Boca Raton?

Twelve signs a seawall is failing

What to look for, where to look for it, and what it means when you find it. Walk your wall in twenty minutes.

A screening sheet for owners, not an engineering inspection.

Done — it is on the way to your inbox. Not there in a minute? Check your Promotions or Spam folder, and move it to your inbox so the next ones arrive.