Wind code, product approvals and storm history in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County is not in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which applies only to Broward and Miami-Dade. It still falls in a high wind-speed region under the Florida Building Code, with demanding requirements near the coast. Roofing products must carry a Florida Product Approval, and many products used here also hold a Miami-Dade NOA, but the HVHZ installation rules that apply across the Broward line do not apply here.
Permits come from each city's building department, and Palm Beach County's building division covers the county's large unincorporated areas west of the coastal cities. The Town of Palm Beach and designated historic districts may also require review of exterior changes before a reroof.
The county's storm history is recent and varied. Frances and Jeanne both came ashore near Hutchinson Island and Stuart in September 2004, three weeks apart, battering northern Palm Beach County. Wilma crossed the peninsula and exited through Palm Beach and Broward in October 2005. In October 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall on the Gulf coast at Siesta Key, yet spawned tornadoes across South Florida, including Palm Beach County.
Florida's 25% rule may affect storm repairs here too. Generally, when a large share of a roof section is repaired, the section may need to meet current code, though recent state law limits this for roofs built to newer code editions. The local building official decides.
