The purpose of the Code Enforcement Division is to promote, protect and improve the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Palm Beach County through an effective code enforcement program. The Division currently has a complement of 41 employees, 34 of which are field staff. The Division has authority throughout the unincorporated area of the County; municipalities provide their own code enforcement activity.

Currently, the Division is responsible for the enforcement of approximately 15 different codes and ordinances. These include the Housing Code; the County’s Lot Clearing Ordinance; the Water and Conservation Ordinance; the many land use regulations set forth under the Unified Land Development Code; the County’s Garbage Can Ordinance; and, to some extent, the building- and fire-related codes such as the Building Code, the Electrical Code, the Plumbing Code and the PBC Fire Code.

The Division’s workload is principally complaint generated. The Division receives a substantial number of complaints each year concerning alleged violations of the County’s various regulations. Each one is investigated to determine whether a violation exists. There are, however, two separate teams that concentrate on other responsibilities, in a more proactive manner. These are the Community Support Team and the Condition Enforcement Team.