Zoning explained · Palm Beach County

Central Business (CBD) District — LDR Sec. 4.4.13 Delray Beach, Florida

Delray Beach's downtown form-based mixed-use district, covering five sub-districts (Beach, Central Core, Railroad Corridor, South Pairs Neighborhood, West Atlantic Neighborhood). Allowable uses are set by Table 4.4.13(A), 'Allowable Uses and Structures in the CBD Sub-Districts,' which varies permissions by sub-district AND by street type: some uses are allowed on all streets, while uses flagged 'S' are Secondary Street uses that on Primary Streets must be lined for 20 ft of depth by a street-permitted use.

82 buildings zoned CBD78 permitted business types

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Education › Zoning & land use › Delray Beach — CBD

Permitted uses

What you can operate in CBD, Delray Beach

The businesses the CBD district in Delray Beach allows. The ones on the left are permitted by right; the ones on the right need a special approval first. (Zoning codes are set by each municipality, so CBD here means specifically Delray Beach's CBD district.)

Allowed by right

Clothing / apparel boutiqueShoe storeJewelry storeHome decor / furniture / interior design showroomArt galleryBookstoreGift shop / souvenir shopFloristSpecialty grocery / gourmet marketBakery / patisserie (retail)Ice cream, gelato or frozen yogurt shopCoffee shop / espresso bar / coffee roaster with retailFull-service sit-down restaurantFast-casual restaurant / counter-service eatery (no drive-thru)Juice / smoothie / acai barWine bar / cocktail loungeHair salon / barbershopNail salonDay spa / massage establishmentMed spa / aesthetics clinicDry cleaner / tailor / alterations (drop-off)Shoe repairPet groomingLaw officeAccounting / CPA / tax officeReal estate brokerage officeInsurance agencyArchitecture, engineering or design firmMarketing / advertising / tech / software officeCo-working / shared office spaceTitle company / mortgage officeBank or credit union branch (no drive-through)Dentist / orthodontist officePhysician / physical therapy / chiropractic officeDermatology or plastic surgery practiceOptometrist / optical shopPharmacy / drugstoreYoga studioPilates or barre studioBoutique fitness gym / CrossFit boxPersonal training studioJiu-jitsu, karate or martial arts dojoDance studioMusic school / art school / tutoring centerCooking school / demonstration kitchenMuseum or cultural centerPhotography studioCeramics, glassblowing or pottery studioJewelry making / metalsmith workshopCustom framing shopSmall-batch chocolate, coffee or specialty food production with retailHotelBoutique hotel / residential-type innMulti-family apartments or condominiums (upper floors)TownhousesLive/work unit (studio or shop with residence above)Public or private parking garage (Secondary Street use; must be lined on Primary Streets)Antique shop (verifiable antiques only)Bicycle shop / bike rental

With special approval

Brewpub or taproom with on-site brewingNightclub or live-music venue (Entertainment District hour limits apply)Bar open past midnight (24-hour or late-night business)Tattoo or permanent-makeup studioVeterinary clinic (no outdoor kennels)Bank with drive-through lanesCBD oil retail as accessory to a pharmacy, medical office or clinic (not on Required Retail Frontage; max 20% of tenant GFA; 8am-10pm)Live theater, cinema or performing arts venueScreen printing or small sign / graphics shopBed and breakfastSurface parking lotChild care / preschoolPlace of worship or assemblyCar wash or auto detailing (interior, one enclosed wash bay; no repair or fueling on site)Gasoline stationSporting goods and equipment rental (limits per 4.4.13(C)(4)(c))Consignment / secondhand or thrift store (prohibited on Required Retail Streets and in West Atlantic Neighborhood)Firearms or auto-parts retail (prohibited on Required Retail Streets and in West Atlantic Neighborhood)Contractor office with limited storage/workshop (no self-storage; 55-gallon cap)

Build envelope

Development standards

Headline dimensional limits for this district. Confirm exact figures against the current code for your specific parcel.

StandardHeight regulated by number of stories plus max overall height per Table 4.4.13(C), varying by sub-district

Atlantic Avenue Limited Height Areamax 3 stories and 38 ft

StandardGround story of residential buildings min. 10 ft; all stories above ground story min. 9 ft

Primary vs. Secondary Street ruleSecondary Street uses on a Primary Street must be lined 20 ft deep by a street-permitted use

StandardCivic open space required for new development or additions of 20%+ of gross floor area

West Atlantic Neighborhoodcommercial/mixed-use structures beyond the 150-ft depth limit require conditional use approval

The fine print

In plain English

BY RIGHT No hearing needed

If your business is on the by-right list, you can occupy a space in this district and open — no zoning hearing. Building permits and licensing still apply, but the use itself is already allowed.

SPECIAL Approval first

Special-approval uses can work here too, but they go through a public review before opening. Plan for extra time and possible conditions — we'll tell you which path a space needs.

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