North Palm Beach High-Rises Undergo New State Safety Inspections

North Palm Beach residents in condominium and cooperative buildings three stories or taller must now comply with new state-mandated structural inspections and reporting. Florida enacted these requirements following the 2021 Surfside condo collapse to improve high-rise safety.

Florida law requires residential condominium and cooperative buildings three or more stories to undergo "milestone inspections." Buildings that reached 30 years of age before July 1, 2022, needed their first inspection by Dec. 31, 2024. Those that turned 30 between July 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2024, must complete their initial inspection by Dec. 31, 2025. The state mandates subsequent inspections every 10 years.

The milestone inspection process includes a visual assessment by a licensed architect or engineer. If the architect or engineer identifies significant structural deterioration, a second phase involves a detailed evaluation of those areas. Both reports must go to the Village of North Palm Beach Building Official. Residents should confirm their building management or homeowners association is aware of and following these rules.

A separate state law, also passed after the Surfside collapse, required affected buildings to submit basic identifying information to the state's Division of Florida Condominium, Timeshares and Mobile Homes by Jan. 1, 2023. This filing included contact names, phone numbers, email addresses, project names, license numbers, the number of buildings three stories or higher, total units, and building addresses and counties.

For questions or to submit reports, contact the Village Community Development Department at [email protected].