Palm Beach County Permit Search Guide
Search Palm Beach County building permits, open permits, inspections, code cases, plan status, property records, and public records using the correct official route.
This guide is built for homeowners, buyers, agents, contractors, and property researchers who need practical steps, not a generic list of links.
Start with the correct permit route
Palm Beach County permit research depends on jurisdiction. The county Building Division processes permits for construction in unincorporated Palm Beach County. If the property is inside a city, village, or town, that municipality may have its own permit portal.
| Need | Use | Search with | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| County permit history | ePZB or Online Permit Search | Address, permit number, contractor, PCN | County portal covers unincorporated records |
| City permit history | Municipal permit department | City portal, address, permit number | County search may not include city records |
| Open permits | PZB search or permit record | PCN and property address | Certified searches may be fee-based |
| Inspection status | ePZB permits and inspections | Permit number | Issued does not mean finaled |
| Inactive permit | Building Division help desk | Permit number and property details | Post-1992 and pre-1992 permits may be handled differently |
| Fine, lien, code issue | PZB search services | PCN and address | County certified searches are for unincorporated properties |
For a serious property check, search the county permit portal, verify the PCN, confirm jurisdiction, check inspections, review open permits, and check fine/lien or code compliance status before assuming the property is clear.
Choose your permit path
Use this like a small permit desk. Pick the task first, then open the right official tool.
Permit history
Find county permits, applications, contractor details, and building permit records.
Search recordsApply or track
Use ePZB for permits, inspections, payments, online submittal, and dashboard searches.
Use ePZBFinal status
Check results, holds, inactive permits, and whether work was properly closed.
Check inspectionsBuyer check
Check open permits, fines, liens, code violations, city records, and old work risk.
Run checklistSearch permits
Use this section for Palm Beach County permit lookup by address, permit number, contractor name, or parcel information.
Open the county permit search
Start with the official Planning, Zoning and Building online permit search when you need county building permit records.
Use one strong search value
Try permit number first if you have it. If not, use property address, contractor name, or parcel control number details.
Open the permit record
Review permit type, contractor, issue date, inspection activity, status, and whether the permit appears closed or still needs attention.
If you cannot find the permit by address, confirm whether the property is inside a city. The county portal may not show municipal permit records.
Find the PCN
Palm Beach County property and permit searches often work better when you know the Parcel Control Number, commonly called PCN.
Use Property Appraiser search
Find the property by address, owner name, or parcel details. Confirm the correct property before copying the PCN.
Use PCN for deeper checks
Use the PCN when requesting open permit searches, fine/lien searches, code compliance checks, or when the address search gives unclear results.
For due diligence, keep the PCN, property address, owner name, and municipality together. This helps you avoid mixing county records with city records.
Use ePZB
Palm Beach County ePZB is the online hub for permit, inspection, property, payment, and submittal tasks.
Open ePZB
Use ePZB for permits and inspections, online submittal, payments, property information, code compliance cases, fee estimators, and dashboard searches.
Pick the right tile
Use Permits & Inspections for permit activity. Use Online Submittal when applying. Use Online Payments for fees. Use Property Information when confirming parcel details.
Prepare before submitting
Have the address, PCN, owner information, contractor information, project scope, plan files, and application checklist ready before starting an online submittal.
Palm Beach County portal guidance notes owner/builders can submit online but may need to appear in person to sign the Owner/Builder Affidavit. Check official ePZB instructions before assuming everything can be completed online.
Check inspections
A permit can exist without being finaled. Inspection history is often the most important part of a permit search.
| Task | Need | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection results | Permit number | Shows pass, fail, pending, or missing activity. |
| Final status | Permit and property details | Confirms whether work was completed properly. |
| Holds or requirements | Permit record | Explains why a permit may not be closed. |
| Old inactive permit | Permit year and scope | May require reactivation or general inspection. |
Check inspection records
Open the permit record in ePZB or the online permit search and review inspection activity, result notes, and final status.
Look for final approval
Do not stop at the permit issue date. Look for final inspection, completion, closed status, or outstanding requirements.
Roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, window, pool, addition, and garage conversion permits should always be checked for final inspection before closing or remodeling.
Inactive permits
Inactive permits can delay a sale, refinance, remodel, or insurance review. Palm Beach County FAQ guidance gives useful direction for older permits.
Check the permit age
County FAQ guidance says if the permit is after approximately 1992 and there is no superseding permit for the same scope, the permit must be reactivated.
Older permits may need inspection
County FAQ guidance says if the permit is prior to 1992, a general inspection is required. The Building Division help desk is listed as 561-233-5108.
Before calling, write down the permit number, property address, PCN, permit year, contractor name, and work type. This makes the help desk conversation faster.
Records requests
Use a public records request when the online search does not show the documents you need, such as older building records, plans, or specific PZB documents.
Search online first
Before filing a records request, try the online permit search, ePZB, and property records tools. Many basic permit details are searchable online.
Request specific documents
Ask for a narrow record: permit application, plans, inspection history, certificate, code case, or building record for a specific address and date range.
Palm Beach County records pages note that under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email released in response to a public records request, contact the office by phone or in writing instead.
Liens and violations
For property risk, check more than permits. Fines, liens, open code violations, and open permits can matter before closing or legalizing work.
Use PZB search services
PZB provides fee-based searches for unincorporated Palm Beach County properties, including fines/liens, open building permits, and open code compliance violations.
Confirm whether the property is municipal
County search results represent unincorporated Palm Beach County and do not generally include properties inside municipalities except certain annexed properties.
Open permits, code violations, and liens can create closing delays or repair costs. Check these before assuming a property is clean.
County or city?
This is the biggest Palm Beach County permit search mistake. The county has 39 municipalities, and many have their own permit departments.
Confirm jurisdiction
Use the Property Appraiser and municipality permit department directory to confirm whether the property belongs to unincorporated Palm Beach County or a city/town/village.
Search city records when needed
If the property is in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Lake Worth Beach, or another municipality, check that local permit portal too.
A West Palm Beach mailing address does not always mean the City of West Palm Beach is the permit authority. Always confirm jurisdiction before relying on one search result.
Buyer checklist
Use this before buying, refinancing, remodeling, legalizing work, switching contractors, or checking a property disclosure.
| Step | Check | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | County permit history | Find visible unincorporated county permit activity. |
| 2 | Municipality permit portal | Catch city records not shown in county search. |
| 3 | PCN and property details | Confirm the correct parcel and jurisdiction. |
| 4 | Inspection final status | Issued permit is not always finaled. |
| 5 | Inactive permits | Old permits may require reactivation or inspection. |
| 6 | Fines, liens and code violations | Check closing risk and legal exposure. |
| 7 | Public records or old plans | Verify approved scope when needed. |
Do extra checks for roofs, shutters, impact windows, electrical panels, HVAC, plumbing, pools, fences, sheds, additions, garage conversions, seawalls, driveways, and commercial interiors.
Before applying
Prepare the basics before using any permit application or online submittal portal.
| Prepare | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Property address and PCN | Confirms property and jurisdiction. |
| Owner and contractor information | Needed for responsibility and licensing checks. |
| Project scope | Helps identify permit type and review needs. |
| Plans and forms | Needed for online submittal and plan review. |
| Fees and payment method | Needed before online payment or application submission. |
Use the Permit Center
The Permit Center processes permit applications for building construction in unincorporated Palm Beach County, and the county says online applications are available through ePZB.
Check forms and checklists
Use the Building Division forms, checklists, fee estimator, and application guidance before submitting. Missing documents can delay review.
Office and phones
Call with the address, PCN, permit number, contractor name, or exact issue ready.
| Item | Official detail |
|---|---|
| PZB Main Office | 2300 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411-2741 |
| Main phone | 561-233-5000 |
| Fax | 561-233-5212 |
| Building help desk | 561-233-5108 |
| Records department | 561-233-5160 |
| Best call preparation | Address, PCN, permit number, permit year, project type, contractor name |
Official links
Only directly useful official Palm Beach County permit resources are included.
Important notice
CountyPermitSearch.org is an independent guide, not the official Palm Beach County website.
Only the official building division, plan reviewer, inspector, zoning staff, code compliance office, or municipality can confirm whether a permit is required, complete, legal, finaled, or approved.
Do not submit applications, payments, plans, IDs, owner documents, or contractor documents to an independent guide page. Use official government portals only.
FAQs
How do I search Palm Beach County permits online?
Use the official ePZB portal or Palm Beach County Online Permit Search page. Search by permit number, address, contractor, or parcel information where available.
Does county permit search cover every city?
No. Palm Beach County Building Division handles construction permits for unincorporated Palm Beach County. Municipalities may have separate permit portals.
How do I find the PCN?
Use the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser website to search by address or owner and copy the Parcel Control Number for deeper permit and lien research.
What is ePZB used for?
ePZB is used for permits and inspections, online submittal, payments, property information, code compliance cases, and related Planning, Zoning and Building services.
How do I check inspection status?
Open the permit record in ePZB or the online permit search and review inspection results, holds, pending items, and final status.
How do I close an inactive permit?
Palm Beach County FAQ guidance says post-1992 permits may need reactivation if there is no superseding permit for the same scope. Pre-1992 permits may require a general inspection. Contact the Building Division help desk at 561-233-5108.
Can I request a certified open permit search?
Yes. PZB provides fee-based searches for unincorporated Palm Beach County properties, including fines/liens, open building permits, and open code compliance violations.
Where is the Palm Beach County PZB office?
The PZB main office is listed at 2300 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411-2741.
What phone number should I call?
The PZB main office phone is 561-233-5000. The Building Division help desk is listed as 561-233-5108, and the records department is listed as 561-233-5160.
What should buyers check before closing?
Check county permits, municipal permits, PCN, inspections, inactive permits, open permits, fines, liens, code violations, and public records when needed.