Frequently Asked Questions
For general inquiries, email zoning@copbfl.com or call 954-786-4679. You can also visit the customer service counter at the 3rd Floor of City Hall at 100 W Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33060. Lobby hours are 7AM-5:30PM, Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays).
Visit the Maps page to use our interactive zoning map or to download the zoning map PDF. We also have a very helpful free tool at our Camino website that allows users to look up the Zoning and Land Use designation for any Pompano Beach property. To utilize this tool, first create an account, then select the “Zoning and Land Use Inquiry” option and follow the prompts.
The Pompano Beach Zoning Code is Chapter 155 of the City's Code of Ordinances and is entirely available to read online through American Legal Publishing. Utilize the search tool to find the sections that discuss your topic of interest.
Our entire Sign Code is available to read online in Chapter 156 of the City's Code of Ordinances. For signage permits, please visit the Building Permits & Inspections page, where you can download the helpful Signage Checklist, and apply for a permit.
For more information about the Master Sign Program, scroll down to Master Sign Program FAQs below for additional details.
Our entire Zoning Code is available to read online. Visit Article 4: Use Standards for permitted uses within each Zoning district. For general inquiries, you can also email zoning@copbfl.com or call 954-786-4679.
Our entire Zoning Code is available to read online. Visit Article 3: Zoning Districts for setback information for principal structures (such as a single-family home) in your zoning district. For setbacks regarding accessory structures such as pools, sheds, or tiki huts visit Article 4, Part 3: Accessory Uses and Structures. For general inquiries, you can also email zoning@copbfl.com or call 954-786-4679.
For a survey to be considered current, it must show all existing conditions of the property including structures, impervious area, easements, and rights-of-way.
Surveys are privately performed by licensed land surveyor companies. If there is a mortgage on the property, it is likely the lender required a new survey to be provided, so check your lending documents for a copy. The City will have a copy of a property's survey only if one was submitted with a previous project. To request if the City has a survey of your property and to obtain a copy, submit a Public Records Request form at the City Clerk's Office webpage. Keep in mind that the survey on record may not be current and a new survey may be required.
Impervious Surface - Land surface that does not allow, or minimally allows, the penetration of water. Examples are buildings, nonporous concrete, and asphalt pavements.
Pervious Area - The area of a site covered by living plant material that allows precipitation to drain into the ground.
An easement is a mutually shared space on private property typically used for above or underground utilities. An easement agreement is a legal document between a property owner and their utility companies that allows a proposed fence, patio, or deck to be built within the companies’ easement, while still complying with all other building and zoning standards. This agreement between all parties also ensures that if the utility company needs to access the easement, the owner will be responsible for any repair or replacement of the proposed structure. This form can be downloaded via our P&Z Applications webpage under the "Building Permit Applications/Forms" section.
Please refer to the following departments: Building - Call 954-786-4669 or visit their Scheduling & Tracking page. Landscaping - 954-786-7825. Fire - 954-786-4695.
Please contact the Fire Prevention department at 954-786-4695 or 954-786-4512. You can also email PBFR.Prevention@copbfl.com.
Please contact the Code Compliance Department at 954-786-4361 or codecompliance@copbfl.com. To report an issue online, please visit the Report an Issue – Step 1 page.
Please contact the Engineering Department at 954-786-4060.
No, the City of Pompano Beach does not require a permit to paint.
ePlan is our convenient online system for electronic plan review of building permits and site plans. Once an application number is created, you will receive an email invite to login to your ePlan account and upload all documents and drawings required for your project. In ePlan, you can also submit corrections or revisions as necessary. To apply for a new building permit, click here. To submit a development application, such as for site plans or a master sign program, click here.
Camino is our convenient online system for application intake. Once you create an account, you can choose which application you need, follow the prompts, and upload documents as required. Once an application is received staff will reach out to you to confirm receipt.
There is also an excellent free resource to research a location's zoning and land use - just choose the "Zoning and Land Use Inquiry" option, input the address/parcel ID, confirm the location, and it will automatically populate the results.
A Zoning Use Certificate (ZUC) is Step 1 of 2 in obtaining a Business Tax Receipt in Pompano Beach. A ZUC is processed by our Business Tax Receipt Department and routed to multiple departments, including Zoning, to officially confirm whether or not the proposed use is permitted at a particular location. It is recommended by staff to obtain this certificate prior to entering a real estate contract or lease. For updates regarding your ZUC application, please contact the Business Tax Receipt Department at 954-786-4668 or businesstaxreceipt@copbfl.com.
For help regarding your ZUC or BTR application, please contact the Business Tax Receipt Department at 954-786-4668 or businesstaxreceipt@copbfl.com.
The Planning and Zoning/Development Services Department does not offer business grants. Please check the following resources to see what is available for your business:
The Planning and Zoning/Development Services Department does not offer homeowner grants. Please check the following resources to see what is available to homeowners:
Visit the Development Services main page and scroll down to download the Monthly Report to stay updated on what's being developed in Pompano Beach!
The purpose of a Master Sign Program is to establish required aesthetic standards for sign structures for multi-tenant mixed use and multi-tenant nonresidential developments that front higher classification roadways or other prominent locations in the city, in accordance with Code Section 155.2416.
It is the responsibility of the property owner(s) to establish a Master Sign Program for their applicable properties for all signage on the entire property. Staff highly recommends to authorize a reputable sign company for this process. Once the Master Sign Program is established with the City, all future sign permit applications will be reviewed based on the Program for the corresponding property and in accordance with Chapter 156, Sign Code.
The Ordinance for applicable properties to establish a Master Sign Program came into effect in 2012 and provided property owners 10 years to come into compliance. Since the amortization period expired in 2022, new sign permit applications cannot be approved without the established Master Sign Program.
There is no City fee for the Master Sign Program.
The City cannot provide recommendations. Many sign companies, both local and national, have successfully submitted Sign Programs with the City. We advise to inquire if your potential sign company is experienced in this area and with Pompano Beach’s Sign Code.
To submit a Master Sign Program application, please create an account in our Camino Portal, then select the Property Development Applications (Planning & Zoning Forms) option, then select Master Sign Program and follow the prompts to complete the application.
*If you are not an authorized agent of the property owner listed on the Florida Division of Corporations website (Sunbiz.org), we must have a notarized Corporate Resolution uploaded to the Camino application providing signatory authorization for you to submit development applications.
Once the application is received and processed, the applicant will be granted permission to our ePlan system (a separate website for electronic plan review) to upload the required plans and documents for Staff review.
Please download the Master Sign Program checklist on the P&Z Applications page (under “Application Checklists”) for the full list of requirements for a complete submittal. To request an example of an approved Master Sign Program, please email zoning@copbfl.com with your request.
Your submittal will first be pre-screened for completeness, then a Planner will be assigned to review the proposed Master Sign Program. That Planner will determine if the project is acceptable to be placed on the Architectural Appearance Committee (AAC) agenda for final approval by the Committee.
Master Sign Program applicants/authorized agents are required to present before the AAC for final approval. The committee meets every first Tuesday of the month, with the submission deadline approximately one month prior. Please download the Meeting Dates and Deadlines PDF on the Information and Fees page (under “Advisory Board Information”) for this year’s schedule.
The Architectural Appearance Committee (AAC) is one of several review and decision-making authorities for the City of Pompano Beach, and the meeting consists of a public hearing in front of a 6-person board made up of professional Pompano Beach residents (Ex: Landscape Architects, Architects, real estate professionals, etc.). The AAC meets in the Commission Chamber at City Hall on the first Tuesday of every month (excluding holidays). For more information, please refer to Section 155.2205 of the Zoning Code.
Yes, a representative is required to make a presentation at the meeting in the Commission Chamber at City Hall and be available for any questions from the Committee. After your presentation and the following Committee discussion, a motion will be called to approve, reject, or postpone your item. This determination will be effective immediately.
Yes, the Master Sign Program goes into effect the day of the AAC meeting approval.
Yes. Please email zoning@copbfl.com to request a link to an approved Master Sign Program.
Please contact the Zoning department at zoning@copbfl.com or 954-786-4679.
