WallDockDeck
Lake Worth Beach · Palm Beach County

What are the deck setback and railing rules in Lake Worth Beach?

1 ftfrom any property line for an at-grade pool deck or patio

Lake Worth Beach lets an at-grade deck or patio built with a pool come within 1 ft of any property line, while a raised pool deck must meet the district's structure setbacks. Pools stay 5 ft from the rear line, and at least 75% of the front yard must stay pervious.

Source: City of Lake Worth Beach Code Ch. 23 LDR Secs. 23.4-26, 23.3-7 (Supp. 156); Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Ed. (2023) R312.1.1-R312.1.3 (ICC Digital Codes) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

Pool decks and patiosAn at-grade deck or patio built with a pool may not be in an easement or closer than 1 ft to any property line; an above-grade one follows the structure setbacks of the district. LDR Sec. 23.4-26.
PoolsNo closer than 5 ft to any rear property line or within easements; screen enclosures meet district structure setbacks. Sec. 23.4-26.
SF-R districtRear 15 ft or 10% of lot depth for primary structures, whichever is less; impermeable surface total for small lots 60%; 75% of the front yard area pervious and landscaped. Sec. 23.3-7.
Dual frontage and coverageOn dual-frontage lots pools keep 10 ft from the secondary front (rear) line and must be screened; small lots (up to 4,999 sq ft) are limited to 40% building coverage. Secs. 23.4-26, 23.3-7.
Sustainable bonusMedium and large SF-R lots may qualify for 5% more impermeable surface for structures when building a single-story house no taller than 15 ft with added sustainable features under the Sustainable Bonus Incentive Program (Sec. 23.2-33). Sec. 23.3-7.
Guards (state rule)Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), Sec. R312.1.1-R312.1.3: a guard is required on open sides of a walking surface located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below at any point within 24 inches of the open edge; it must be at least 36 inches high; openings must not let a 4-inch sphere pass. No local guard amendment was found in this city's code.

Your city's height sheet

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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.

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Other questions about Lake Worth Beach

Seawall height requirementHow high does a seawall have to be in Lake Worth Beach?Seawall permit processDo I need a permit to repair a seawall in Lake Worth Beach?Dock permit & size limitsHow big a dock can I build in Lake Worth Beach?Boat lift rulesWhat are the boat lift rules in Lake Worth Beach?Storm prep & documentationWhat are the storm and debris rules in Lake Worth Beach?

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.

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