The mission of the Community Development Review Section (CDRS) is to continue to improve the quality of life for the residents of Palm Beach County by processing development applications for residential and non-residential developments. These applications are reviewed for compliance with planning and zoning Principles and in accordance with Land Development Regulations. Applications are reviewed to ensure the following requirements are addressed: monitoring the development pattern and preserving the natural environment of our region/county, and ensuring development is served and supported by a full range of facilities and services, including but not limited to, affordable housing, roads, utilities, and transit.

This Section is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations for applications requiring Board of County Commissioner’s (BCC) and/or Zoning Commission (ZC) approval. The CDRS is responsible for coordinating the following review processes.

The Section processes the following types of applications:
• Official Zoning Map Amendments ("Rezonings")
• Conditional/Requested Uses
• Development Order Amendments
• Development Order Abandonments
• Transfer of Development Rights
• Tower Dimensional Waivers
• Developments of Regional Impact
• Administrative Amendments
• Signature Only Reviews
• PDD Site Plan & Subdivision Plan Approval
• Off the Board Plan Approvals
• Original DRO

Projects submitted are reviewed by a Development Review Officer (DRO) and applicable County agencies. The DRO will prepare a list of certification issues after each monthly meeting. Certification issues generally include compliance with the ULDC requirements. All issues must be addressed before certification is issued for the project to be placed on a public hearing agenda.

After DRO certification, the application shall be considered at the regularly scheduled public hearing. All public hearings are prescheduled in accordance to the Zoning Division Calendar. Applications that are then subject to final DRO approval may then proceed for building permit approval to the County’s Building Division or plat approval through the County’s Engineering Department.