PALM BEACH COUNTY CODE
Chapter 14 - HOUSING CODE
ARTICLE I. - PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
DIVISION 6. - LOT CLEARING AND NUISANCE ABATEMENT REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
Palm Beach County, Florida, Code of Ordinances
Page 22 of 25
(1) If the nuisance consists solely of accumulations of waste, yard trash, or rubble and debris as
provided in section 14-62(1) and (2), it shall be abated in its entirety, provided that the nuisance
lies upon a lot which is adjacent to a property which is developed and used or has been used for
residential, commercial or industrial purposes.
(2) If the nuisance consists solely of uncultivated vegetation as provided in section 14-62(3), (4)
and (5), and the parcel is less than one-half (½) acre in size, the nuisance shall be abated in its
entirety. If the parcel is greater than one-half (½) acre in size only so much of the nuisance shall
be abated as lies within twenty-five (25) feet of the boundary of any adjacent property which is
developed and used or has been used for residential, commercial or industrial purposes.
(3) In cases involving areas declared by the board of county commissioners as blighted,
pursuant to state statutes or in any cases where there is evidence of vagrants using the
overgrown property for habitation or where crimes of a violent nature or crimes involving the sale
or possession of illegal substances are occurring on the premises, then the nuisance may be
abated in its entirety, regardless of lot size. The evidence required must be documented by the
county sheriff's department or other appropriate law enforcement agency. The owner and the
department are encouraged to preserve, and need not clear native trees such as Pinus elliottii var.
densa (commonly known as Slash Pine), Ilex cassine (commonly known as Dahoon Holly), Sabal
palmetto (commonly known as Cabbage Palm), any species of naturally occurring oaks or bay
trees and native understory such as Serenoa repens (commonly known as Saw Palmetto),
Rapanea punctata (commonly known as myrsine), Ardisia escallonioides (commonly known as
Wild Coffee), and Myrica cerifera (commonly known as Wax Myrtle); and provided further that the
owner and the department are encouraged to clear Prohibited Invasive Non-Native Vegetation
listed in Appendix 6 of Article 14.C of the Unified Land Development Code and Melaleuca
quinquenervia (commonly known as Punk Tree, Cajeput, or Paper Bark Tree), Casurina Spp.
(commonly known as Australian Pine); Acacia Ariculaeformis (commonly known as Earleaf
Acacia), Cupaniopsis anacardioides (commonly known as Carrotwood), Schefflera actinophylla
(commonly known as Schefflera), Lygodium microphyllum (commonly known as Old World
Climbing Fern), Discorea bulbifera (commonly known as Air Potato Vine); and provided further
that the owner and the department shall clear Schinus terebinthifolius (commonly known as
Brazilian Pepper).
(4) If the nuisance consists of the obstruction of adequate view of intersections, crossings, or
traffic signs as provided in section 14-62(6), the nuisance shall be abated in accordance with the
provisions of Article 7 of the Unified Land Development Code, or, when not provided in that
section, the nuisances shall be abated so as to afford a clear, unobstructed view.
(5) If the nuisance consists of dead trees, only those standing dead trees located in an area that,
if they fell, would likely cause damage to adjacent developed lots, sidewalks, or rights-of-way,
need be removed.
(6) If the nuisance consists in part of uncultivated vegetation and in part of other nuisances
declared by this article, the provisions of subsections (1), (2) and (3) shall each apply to its
abatement.
(7) If the nuisance consists of an infestation of vermin or insects or of a swimming pool without
an adequate safety barrier and/or proper water clarity, as provided in section 14-62(8) and (9),
then the nuisance shall be considered a threat to public health safety and welfare and shall be
abated in its entirety.