Zoning explained · Palm Beach County

PCD – Planned Community Development District Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

PCD is a master-planned zoning district, not a district governed by a single fixed permitted-use table. Actual allowed uses are set parcel-by-parcel through a City Council-approved PCD Master Plan and site plan process, tied to an \'underlying\' use designation (residential, commercial, professional office, industrial/workplace, recreation/golf, institutional, biotech, or mixed-use) assigned to each parcel or pod within the PCD.

38 buildings zoned PCD50 permitted business types

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Education › Zoning & land use › Palm Beach Gardens — PCD

Permitted uses

What you can operate in PCD, Palm Beach Gardens

The businesses the PCD district in Palm Beach Gardens 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 PCD here means specifically Palm Beach Gardens's PCD district.)

Allowed by right

Single-family detached homesTownhomes / rowhomesMultifamily apartments / condominiumsGeneral professional office (law, accounting, insurance, real estate)Medical or dental officeCorporate headquarters / back-officeCoworking / shared office spaceBioscience / biotech research labMedical office buildingRetail store / boutiqueRestaurant (sit-down)Fast-casual / quick-service restaurantCoffee shop / cafeGrocery store / supermarketBank / credit union branchSalon / barbershopNail salon / spaDry cleaner / laundromatPet grooming / small pet storeFitness studio / gym / CrossFit boxDance studio / martial arts / yoga studioLight manufacturing / machine shopCabinet / millwork shopSign fabrication shopWarehouse / distribution facilityFlex office-warehouse spaceResearch & development / prototyping facilityFood or beverage production facilityHotel / resort lodgingGolf course and clubhouseTennis / racquet clubResort spa / wellness centerMaintenance facility (for golf/resort operations)

With special approval

Age-restricted (55+) residential communityAssisted living / senior care facilityHospital / neighborhood hospitalOff-campus emergency department / urgent careDrive-through restaurantGrocery store with pharmacy drive-throughDrug store / pharmacy with drive-throughConvenience store with fuel pumpsDay care / child care centerSelf-storage facilityBrewery / craft beverage productionEvent / banquet / conference facilityHouse of worship / church / synagogueSchool (public or private)Cemetery / funeral homeGovernment / civic facilityConvenience/retail with fueling stations

Build envelope

Development standards

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

StandardPCD zoning requires a City Council-approved Master Plan and Development Order governing permitted uses, densities, and intensities for the specific property

StandardCommercial recreation uses within a PCD are capped at 40% maximum lot coverage and 45 feet maximum building height per the Comprehensive Plan

StandardResidential density/intensity within a PCD must remain consistent with the underlying Future Land Use designation (e.g., certain overlays cap density at 2 dwelling units/acre)

StandardNon-residential uses may be permitted as part of a residential PCD only pursuant to City Land Development Regulations

StandardAny use not permitted by the underlying land use category must cease upon rezoning to PCD, consistent with the approved phasing plan

StandardAmendments to use entitlements (e.g., converting acreage between Golf, Commercial, Residential, Office) require formal PCD Master Plan Amendment 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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