Palm Beach County, FloridaUpdated November 2026Free, no ads

Palm Beach Homeowners

The homeowner's guide to getting it done right in Palm Beach County

New homeowners

Your first 90 days as a Palm Beach County homeowner

Ten things to do after closing, in order, with the official link for each.

For buyers, from your agent. Ten steps, in order. Every rule here comes from an official source, checked November 5, 2026.

Week one

  1. Look up your flood zone and your evacuation zone. They're different, and you need both. Flood zone: the county flood zone tool. Evacuation zone: Know Your Zone. New flood maps took effect in December 2024, so check even if the seller told you.
  2. Find your insurance paperwork from closing. You want three reports: the 4-point inspection, the wind mitigation form, and the roof inspection if there was one. The wind mitigation form is good for up to 5 years and sets your hurricane credits. What it records.
  3. Look up the permits on your house. Your building department's permit search shows when the roof, AC and windows were last replaced. Your insurer counts roof age from the last full replacement. Permit search links by city.

Before your first bill

  1. File for homestead by March 1. It lowers your property taxes, and it's required for the state's My Safe Florida Home grant and the impact window tax refund. Section 196.011, Florida Statutes.
  2. Get flood insurance if you don't have it. Your homeowners policy doesn't cover flood. New federal policies usually take 30 days to start, and from January 1, 2027 every Citizens home policy with wind coverage must carry flood (condo-owner and renter policies are exempt). Citizens.
  3. If you're on Citizens with a damaged or older roof, Citizens may still cover a buyer who closes within 45 days and signs a contract for a full replacement finished within 30 days. Citizens buyer FAQ.

The first 90 days

  1. Read your termite paperwork. If the seller had a termite contract, page one has to say in bold whether it covers repair and retreatment or retreatment only. Ask if it transfers to you. Termites, explained.
  2. Find the age of your AC. It's on the label of the outdoor unit. If it's past 10 years, start pricing a replacement before summer. What AC costs here.
  3. Make a storm plan. Where are the shutters and the hardware? Who closes them if you're away? Season runs June 1 to November 30. Hurricane guide.
  4. If you have a pool and young kids or grandkids, check the safety feature still works: gate latches, alarms, the cover. The pool safety law.

When you need a pro

Ask for the state license number, and look it up yourself before anyone starts. Every guide here ends with the questions to ask and the companies we've checked. Find a pro.