Palm Beach County · ADU guide · 2026
ADUs in Palm Beach County — rules, costs, and what to expect.
Palm Beach County permits ADUs under its Workforce Housing program and through individual city ordinances. With some of Florida's highest rents and a workforce priced out of the for-sale market, Palm Beach is one of the strongest ADU yields in the state. Sidesuite isn't building here yet: get on the list and we'll tell you when we are.
How the county and cities handle ADUs.
Palm Beach County is a patchwork. The county itself permits ADUs in many unincorporated areas under its Workforce Housing program. Most of the major municipalities have their own ordinances:
- West Palm Beach: ADUs permitted in single-family districts; 800 sq ft max.
- Lake Worth Beach: ADUs permitted citywide; among the most permissive in the county.
- Delray Beach: ADUs permitted in many residential districts.
- Boynton Beach: ADUs permitted under the 2022 ordinance update.
- Boca Raton: ADUs permitted, with the strictest rules and largest minimum lot size in the county.
- Wellington, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens: permitted with varying conditions.
What a Sidesuite costs in Palm Beach County.
| The home: finished, appliances included | $99,999 |
| Installation: billed separately, quoted for your lot | ~$30,000 est. |
| Your total, before lot costs | $99,999 + installation |
Lot costs on a Palm Beach County ADU
These are the lot-specific costs on any ADU build in Palm Beach County. Budget for these on top of the home and installation until your site-plan quote says otherwise:
| Building permit + impact fees (varies by city) | $3,000 – $6,500 |
| Foundation + site prep | $11,000 – $20,000 |
| Utility tie-ins | $6,000 – $14,000 |
Palm Beach rental economics
Furnished 1-bedroom rents in West Palm Beach core, Lake Worth, and Delray sit at $1,750–$2,200/month. Boca Raton and the Town of Palm Beach push past $2,500. Among the highest gross yields of any Florida metro — and the workforce-housing rental tier the county actively promotes through its program. Sidesuite comes unfurnished, so budget for furniture or expect lower rent unfurnished.
How to get an ADU permit in Palm Beach County.
- Identify your jurisdiction — county unincorporated, or one of the cities listed above. Each has its own portal.
- Zoning verification — confirm ADU eligibility for your specific parcel.
- Building permit application — drawings and a site plan for your parcel.
- Plan review + impact fee calculation — 4–8 weeks depending on city.
- Permit issuance + construction.
- Inspections + CO.
Palm Beach impact fees are among the highest in the state, but rents more than compensate. The home itself is 15 weeks from order to installed.
Palm Beach's rents are the highest in Florida.
Sidesuite builds in Miami-Dade and Broward today, with Orlando next. Send your Palm Beach County address to get on the list, and we'll tell you when we can build on your lot. Own in Miami-Dade or Broward? Check My Lot answers instantly there.