What is PBC Code Compliance?
Palm Beach County’s Code Compliance Division is part of Planning, Zoning & Building (PZB). It promotes and enforces compliance with local codes and property regulations, with the goal of protecting health, safety, and community quality of life.
Confirm jurisdiction for the specific property. County services generally concern unincorporated Palm Beach County; a West Palm Beach mailing address alone does not establish City jurisdiction.
Why it matters in Century Village
Older buildings, frequent unit renovations, and closely shared spaces make prompt attention to property conditions important. Unsafe work or neglected conditions can affect neighboring units as well as the person directly involved.
Boards can use County guidance to identify the right agency, clarify a suspected violation, and understand what correction is required. Reporting a concern should focus on a condition and its impact rather than a personal dispute.
- Questionable alterations may affect electrical, plumbing, or building systems.
- Accumulated debris and poor maintenance can create avoidable hazards.
- Unresolved conditions can interfere with repairs, transactions, and future planning.
- Residents with limited mobility especially need safe, usable common routes.
Protecting property starts with addressing problems early.
Match the issue to the right office
| Concern | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Suspected code violation | Code Compliance: describe property-maintenance concerns, debris, possible unpermitted structures, or other suspected local-code issues. |
| Permit status or required inspections | Building Division / ePZB: verify the permit, approved scope, inspection history, and closeout. |
| Unlicensed contracting | PZB Contractor Regulations; the appropriate licensing agency may also be involved. |
| Association rule violation | The association or manager, following governing documents and applicable enforcement procedures. |
| Fire, crime, or immediate danger | Call 911 for an emergency. Use the appropriate fire, police, or other agency for nonemergency matters. |
| Private contract or legal dispute | The association’s attorney or other appropriate dispute-resolution channel. |
The County’s PZB service directory links to complaint, permit, and contractor resources. Ask staff to route uncertain issues rather than assuming every concern belongs to one division.
Permit Center—apply & trackAssociation rule authorityHow to report a potential violation
The County accepts complaints by email or phone. Its published complaint instructions require the complainant’s name and address; anonymous complaints generally cannot initiate an investigation, subject to a statutory exception for specified imminent threats.
- Identify the property. Give the address, building, unit when relevant, and precise location.
- Describe what you observed. Include dates, conditions, and why you believe County review is needed. Separate facts from suspicions.
- Provide your name and full address. A phone number is helpful if the officer needs clarification.
- Provide appropriate evidence. Use lawfully obtained photos or documents. Do not trespass or enter a unit to investigate.
- Keep the reference number. Record the office contacted and follow-up instructions.
What if the association receives a notice?
- Read and route it promptly. Send it to the manager and appropriate directors; involve counsel when legal rights, hearings, or penalties are at issue.
- Confirm the facts and responsibility. Identify the cited condition and whether correction belongs to the association, a unit owner, or another party.
- Contact the assigned officer. Clarify what correction and evidence are expected, and note all stated deadlines.
- Arrange a correction plan. Obtain qualified help, required permits, and necessary approvals.
- Verify resolution. Confirm the County’s case status rather than assuming a repair or a contractor’s assurance closed the matter.
Do not ignore a notice because an owner caused the problem or a contractor says it is being handled. Track the response. Unresolved cases can lead to enforcement proceedings and financial consequences; ask counsel about the specific notice.
Follow-through is part of good governance.
Prevent problems before they become cases
- Explain alteration requirements before owners hire contractors.
- Verify applicable contractor licenses and permits.
- Maintain the property and respond to reported hazards.
- Keep permits, inspections, approvals, and relevant correspondence organized.
- Use clear, consistent communication about correction responsibilities.
Association approval does not replace a government permit, and a permit does not automatically replace association approval. Both processes may apply to the same project.
Building permitsCareful communicationBulk trashContact & case information
PBC Code Compliance
561-233-5500
pzbcode@pbc.gov
Vista Center, 2300 N. Jog Road, second floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Published office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., excluding recognized holidays. Confirm current arrangements before visiting.
Contractor Regulations: 561-233-5525.
Use the Code Compliance home page to find current case-search links. Routine online case review differs from staff-provided formal open-violation or lien searches, which may involve a fee. For transactions, ask the closing professional what search is needed.
Code Compliance & case-search linksFormal County search servicesBack to Property & SafetyOfficial sources
- Code Compliance role and contact information
- Complaint requirements and public-records notice
- PZB service directory
- Formal search services
Reviewed October 17, 2026, for Century Village West Palm Beach. General education and recommended board practices. The County determines jurisdiction and code issues; consult counsel for association obligations and disputed enforcement matters.
Keep a case-response and deadline record
Record the county case number, cited property, assigned officer, notice receipt, alleged condition, response and hearing dates, correction plan, responsible person, and evidence requested. Forward formal legal notices to counsel promptly.
- Confirm who has authority to arrange and pay for each correction.
- Preserve correspondence, permit information, reports, and inspection results.
- Ask the assigned officer what establishes compliance and whether reinspection is required.
- Obtain confirmation of case status; do not assume a repair also resolves accrued penalties or liens.
A county case and an association rule-enforcement matter can proceed under different authority and procedures. Use association enforcement guidance for the separate condominium process.
Connected project and community resources
- Building permits →
- Palm Beach County Permit Center →
- Material alterations →
- Unit alterations →
- Suspected unpermitted construction →
- UCO POD storage authorization →
- Contractor licensing and insurance →
- Inspection follow-up →
- Moving and delivery procedures →
- Understanding UCO and separate community responsibilities →
Authority matters: Florida law establishes statutory duties; governing documents define association authority subject to law; contractual duties come from applicable agreements. UCO procedures address separate UCO functions. The added registers and workflows are Board Synergy recommended practices, not prescribed statutory forms. Historical articles provide background rather than current legal instructions.