Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Lighthouse Point, Florida

Lighthouse Point’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction work inside Lighthouse Point city limits; minor work such as painting, carpet and tile is excepted.

  • Construction may proceed only after the permit is issued.
  • The FAQ says some minor projects do not need permits, but work must still conform to all applicable codes.
  • Work begun without the required permit triggers a stop work order and double fees per the FAQ.

  “most major projects will require permits of some kind.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Owner-occupants pulling permits for work on the residence they live in, inside Lighthouse Point city limits

  • Available only if the owner resides at the residence.
  • Electrical, roofing and piling work must be done by a licensed contractor.
  • The owner certifies knowledge of the Florida Building Code and the Lighthouse Point zoning code, and accepts responsibility for the work.

  “if you reside at the residence, yes, for most types of permits. however, all electrical, roofing, and piling work must be done by a licensed contractor.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction inside Lighthouse Point city limits

  • Each permitted job must pass all required city inspections and be finaled out before final payment to the contractor, per the city FAQ.
  • Inspection types vary by permit type; the FAQ does not list them.

  “make sure the job has passed all required city inspections and has been "finaled out".”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Lighthouse Point city limits. The city administers its own land development code (chapter 42 zoning article and 2024 re-enacted chapter 24 zoning districts).

  • The Municode page is the 2018 codification (supp. 21) and states it may not reflect the most current legislation; the 2024 re-enactment of the land development code is listed as adopted and its text was not opened.
  • The city FAQ refers to the lighthouse point zoning code as the rule owners must know when pulling a permit.

  “adopting a new chapter 24, entitled "zoning districts, uses, and land development regulations"”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning districts inside Lighthouse Point city limits, as shown on an undated city-hosted map

  • The map is labeled with a Nov 2006 date and may be outdated; the 2024 re-enacted chapter 24 controls and was not opened.
  • Map legend lists RS-3, RS-5, RD-10, RM-16, RM-25, B-1 through B-3, CF and S-1 districts.

  “rs - 3 single family residence rs - 5 single family residence rd - 10 2 family residence rm - 16 4 family residence rm - 25 apartment districts”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land division and platting inside Lighthouse Point city limits

  • The 2024 re-enacted land development code places platting in chapter 26; section text not opened.
  • The 2018 codification also contains a subdivision and platting article in chapter 42.

  “adopting a new chapter 26, entitled "platting, building permits, and infrastructure"”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building permits issued by Lighthouse Point city

  • Fee schedule is a separate PDF (Appendix A); its amounts were not opened.

  “please see our fee schedule, fee schedule appendix a (pdf) for more information.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Lighthouse Point or Broward County directly.

• Building code adopted — Construction inside Lighthouse Point city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — New homes and changes of use inside Lighthouse Point city limits
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family residential districts inside Lighthouse Point city limits
• Minimum lot size — Single-family residential districts (RS-3, RS-5 per 2006 map) inside Lighthouse Point city limits
• Setbacks — Single-family residential districts inside Lighthouse Point city limits

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.