ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Boynton Beach, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Boynton Beach.
You need a permit to build a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory dwelling unit. This is new Building construction, and the Florida Building Code's permit exemptions (Section 105.2) cover only certain Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing work, so an ADU is not exempt.
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | You need a permit to build a garage apartment, casita, or… |
| Fee | Not in the ordinance — the department quotes it |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | FBC 105.2 |
| Based on | Florida Building Code 2023 |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Boynton Beach building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Boynton Beach's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boynton Beach | — | Yes | You need a permit to build a garage apartment, casita, or… |
| Boca Raton | 11 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Deerfield Beach | 15 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| West Palm Beach | 15 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
| Coral Springs | 21 mi | Yes | You need a building permit to construct an accessory dwel… |
| Tamarac | 25 mi | Yes | No size threshold in the code |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Boynton Beach
Questions people ask
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Boynton Beach can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.