Which kitchen renovation projects require permits, what they cost, and how we handle the process so you don't have to.
One of the most common questions we hear from Palm Beach County homeowners is: "Do I need a permit for my kitchen remodel?" The short answer is: it depends on what work is being done. Here's a clear breakdown.
In Palm Beach County, permits are required when your kitchen remodel involves moving or adding plumbing lines (relocating a sink, adding a pot filler, moving a dishwasher connection), electrical work beyond simple fixture swaps (adding circuits, moving outlets, installing new recessed lighting, upgrading your panel), structural changes such as removing or modifying a load-bearing wall, adding or removing a window, or gas line work for range or cooktop connections. If your project touches plumbing, electrical, structural, or gas — you need permits.
Cosmetic updates that don't alter plumbing, electrical, or structure typically don't require permits. This includes cabinet replacement or refacing (in the same locations), countertop replacement, backsplash tile installation, painting, hardware swaps, and appliance replacement (same location, same connections). Even for non-permitted work, we always ensure everything meets code standards.
Palm Beach County has both city-level and county-level building departments. If you live in an incorporated city — like Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, or Jupiter — permits go through your city's building department. If you live in unincorporated Palm Beach County — including parts of Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, and Greenacres — permits go through the Palm Beach County Building Division.
The process typically involves submitting plans or a detailed scope of work, paying permit fees (usually $150–$500 for a kitchen remodel), scheduling inspections at key stages (rough plumbing, rough electrical, final), and receiving a final approval after the last inspection passes.
Turnaround times vary by municipality. Based on our experience, Boca Raton typically takes 2–4 weeks for permit approval, West Palm Beach runs 1–3 weeks, Delray Beach takes 2–3 weeks, Palm Beach County (unincorporated) takes 2–4 weeks, and Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens typically take 1–2 weeks. These timelines are for standard kitchen remodels. Complex projects with structural engineering requirements may take longer.
At South Florida Kitchen & Bath Design, we manage the entire permit process for every project — from application and plan submission to scheduling inspections and obtaining final approval. You never need to visit a government office, wait in line, or decipher code requirements. It's built into our process and our pricing.
Have questions about whether your specific project needs permits? Schedule a free consultation and we'll assess your scope, explain the permit requirements, and include everything in your detailed project quote. Call (561) 401-0064 or fill out the form on this page.
No — replacing cabinets in the same location without moving plumbing or electrical does not require a permit in Palm Beach County. If you are adding new outlets, moving the sink, or changing the gas line location, a permit is required.
Permit fees in Palm Beach County typically run $150–$500 for a standard kitchen remodel, depending on the scope of work and the municipality. Some cities like Boca Raton have slightly different fee schedules than unincorporated Palm Beach County.
Unpermitted work can lead to fines, a stop-work order, and required demolition of unpermitted construction. More importantly, it can cause problems during home sales — buyers' inspectors flag unpermitted work, and lenders may refuse to finance homes with open permit violations.
Most standard permits are approved within 5–15 business days. Projects requiring structural or electrical review can take 3–6 weeks. Expedited review is available in some municipalities for an additional fee.
Either can pull the permit, but it is standard practice for the licensed contractor to pull it. This makes the contractor responsible for the work meeting code. We handle all permitting for our clients as part of our project management process.
Owner of South Florida Kitchen & Bath Design, serving Palm Beach County since 2007. Andre and his team have completed thousands of kitchen and bathroom renovations across Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Delray Beach, and the surrounding communities.