City Codes & Ordinance

One currently registered boat, trailer and recreational vehicle can be parked on an improved lot providing it is owned by the resident of the property and is screened on three sides by fencing, walls or hedges which are in conformance with standards specified elsewhere in these articles.  The storage area can be at the sides of the property, but not between the street and the structure, or the canal and the structure, if parked on a waterfront lot.  Parking in the driveway for purposes of loading or unloading is permitted for a period not to exceed 24 hours.

Before undertaking any type of construction work, including, but not limited to, interior remodeling, docks, water heaters, pools, installing hurricane shutters or panels, fencing, roofing decks, boat lifts, paving, driveways demolition, replacing doors and windows, sprinkler systems, plumbing, air conditioning, or electrical work, check with the City of Delray Beach Building Inspection Division, 243-7200, to determine if a permit is needed.

Laundry and apparatus to facilitate the drying of laundry (clotheslines or drying racks) should be screened from neighbor’s view by hedges or other screening that is in compliance with applicable provisions within these articles.

Contractors should keep building sites in accordance with applicable codes.  Building materials and debris should be stored in an orderly fashion or in dumpsters so as to minimize hazards from vermin or unsafe conditions.  Builders and other contractors should make every effort to avoid inconveniencing adjacent property owners through overspray from paint, dust, dirt, and excessive noise including that from vibration equipment.

Damage to public property by contractors should be brought to the attention of the appropriate city officials.  Relief for damage to private property will have to be sought through normal channels.

Fences of wood, plastic, metal, masonry or shrubbery should not exceed 6 feet in height along property side lines and 4 feet in height along front and back lot lines.  Fencing of other than shrubbery or hedges should have landscaping added to the side facing away from the residence, of a height sufficient to cover or screen at least 50% of the fence’s vertical dimension.

Law allows home occupations, although a number of restrictions are placed on the type and scale of the operation.  In addition to complying with the conditions required of an approved licensee, residents should ensure that home computers, facsimile machines, etc., meet Federal standards on electrical emissions and are properly installed so as to limit interference with neighboring television, radio and telephone reception.

With certain exceptions, inoperable and/or unlicensed motor vehicles may not be parked or stored outside longer than 72 hours.  Sometimes, charitable organizations will pick up unwanted autos.  You might wish to contact your favorite charity if you do have a vehicle you no longer need.

Unimproved lots, as well as improved lots, should be maintained free from weeds and unsightly accumulations of debris, underbrush and refuse piles.  Sod, hedges, shrubbery, trees and flowerbeds should be kept trimmed.

Arrangement of low voltage landscape lighting and security lighting is left to resident’s discretion, however, every effort should be made to ensure drivers or boaters vision is not impaired by the lighting.

Property owners and residents are responsible for ensuring that noise emanating from their homes, boats and vehicles is minimized so as to avoid disturbing adjoining property owners and residents.  Guests and visitors should be reminded of City Ordinances in this regard.