West Palm Beach, Florida · 33401, 33405
Estate Landscaping in West Palm Beach
Historic districts and Flagler Drive frontage, where planting is free of historic review but walls, fences and the tree code are not.
Request a Property AssessmentWest Palm Beach has 17 historic districts, 9 of them on the National Register, and more than 45 individually designated sites. El Cid, developed in the 1920s, runs roughly from Flamingo Drive to Dyer Road between South Dixie Highway and South Flagler Drive, with the Norton Museum of Art fronting South Dixie. Flamingo Park grew from a subdivision platted in 1921. In neighborhoods of this age, a landscape program is measured against the house and the street, and it should fit the architecture rather than compete with it.
The city draws a useful line. Its historic preservation staff state that landscaping is not subject to historic review, while site walls, fences, decks, patios and pergolas are. Tree removal is governed separately by the city's tree protection code. South of Southern Boulevard, SoSo is not a historic district, and its waterfront blocks along Flagler Drive have seen heavy new construction. Partner crews working in West Palm Beach sort each property into the right review path before design begins.
The properties
Three property types dominate the brief here. Historic-district homes in El Cid and Flamingo Park, where fences, walls and driveways answer to preservation staff and the planting plan works around established trees. Waterfront parcels on Flagler Drive, which face the Intracoastal across the road, so front gardens take wind and salt while rear gardens sit sheltered. And SoSo, outside any historic district, where mid-century houses sit beside new builds on cleared lots. New construction means a full landscape plan and tree permits from the start; an older home means restoration and protecting roots during any hardscape work.
On the ground
What landscapes in West Palm Beach contend with
Potassium deficiency in royal palms
Where royal palms line a drive or frame a facade, potassium deficiency is the first thing to rule out. UF/IFAS describes its signs: tip necrosis and frizzled leaflets on the oldest leaves, and in severe cases a shrinking, stunted canopy and a tapering trunk. Florida's sandy soils leach potassium quickly, and heavy nitrogen makes it worse. A program uses a palm fertilizer with controlled-release potassium and magnesium together, confirmed by leaf analysis where symptoms are unclear.
Ficus whitefly in older hedges
An older property screened by a tall Ficus benjamina hedge is hosting the preferred plant of ficus whitefly. UF/IFAS documents yellowing, rapid leaf drop, branch dieback and sometimes death when the pest goes unmanaged, and notes that natural enemies alone have not prevented severe damage. A program either commits to monitoring and treatment of an established hedge or plans a staged replacement, which in a historic district avoids an exposed wall for a full season.
Salt and wind along Flagler Drive
UF/IFAS advises that plants within about one-eighth of a mile of saltwater should be at least somewhat salt tolerant. Flagler Drive frontage faces open water across the road, so front plantings take the brunt of wind-driven spray. A program places cabbage palm, live oak and other proven species in the exposed front, saves less tolerant ornamentals for the courtyard and rear garden, and rinses foliage after storms.
Local rules
What West Palm Beach requires
Summaries for planning. The linked source is the authority; rules change.
Tree Alteration Permit
Removing or relocating trees in the city requires a Tree Alteration Permit under Article XIV, Section 94-447, Protection of Trees. The application lists each tree's species and diameter at breast height, and a certified tree survey and landscape plan are required when six or more trees are involved. Fees start at $25 for a single-family residence, with $5 for each additional tree.
SourceHistoric districts: walls, fences and hardscape
The city states that landscaping is not subject to historic review, but site walls, fences, decks, patios, pergolas and sheds are subject to staff review. Vinyl fences are not permitted in historic districts, chain link generally only when screened by planting, and wood or aluminum is allowed. Brick pavers and concrete ribbons suit driveways; gravel or shell is limited to side yards beyond the front 25 feet.
SourceCertificate of Appropriateness review levels
Exterior changes to designated properties are reviewed at staff level or, for larger work, as a Certificate of Appropriateness that may go to the Historic Preservation Board, which meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Applications are due by the deadline for the meeting two months out. Projects pairing landscape with new walls, pergolas or driveways should allow for that lead time.
Source
Services in West Palm Beach
- Estate Landscape MaintenanceMaintenance for West Palm Beach properties
- Landscape Design & InstallationDesign for West Palm Beach properties
- IrrigationIrrigation for West Palm Beach properties
- Tree & Palm CareTrees & Palms for West Palm Beach properties
- Outdoor LightingLighting for West Palm Beach properties
- Sod, Hedges & Privacy ScreeningSod & Hedges for West Palm Beach properties
- Seasonal ColorSeasonal Color for West Palm Beach properties
- HOA & Property ManagementHOA for West Palm Beach properties
Landscaping in West Palm Beach: questions
Does landscaping in El Cid need Historic Preservation Board approval?
Planting itself does not. The city states that landscaping is not subject to historic review. Site walls, fences, decks, patios, pergolas and sheds are subject to staff review, and vinyl fencing is not permitted in historic districts. Tree removal is handled separately through the Tree Alteration Permit, so a garden redesign can involve two review paths.
Do we need a permit to remove a tree?
Generally yes. The city's Tree Alteration Permit, under Section 94-447, covers removal and relocation, with a species and trunk-diameter list for each tree and a certified tree survey when six or more trees are involved. State law separately exempts residential trees documented by an ISA-certified arborist or licensed landscape architect as an unacceptable risk.
We are building new in SoSo. When should landscape planning start?
Early, ideally alongside the architectural plans. SoSo is not a historic district, but tree permits apply to any trees being removed or relocated, and a certified tree survey is required when six or more trees are affected. Starting early lets a partner advise on which existing trees are worth protecting through construction and how the new garden will handle salt from the water.
How is a partner matched to a historic property?
Your request notes the address, whether it is in a historic district, and the scope of work. It is routed to independent partner companies vetted for licensing and insurance before they receive requests. The partner assesses the property and proposes a program; any permits or historic applications are part of that proposal.
Nearby estate towns
Sources for this page
- 17 historic districts, 9 on National Register, 45+ individually designated sites: www.wpb.org
- El Cid Historic District roughly bounded by Flamingo Dr., S. Flagler Dr., Dyer Rd. and S. Dixie Hwy (National Register 95001064): npgallery.nps.gov
- El Cid developed in the 1920s; on local, state and National Register: www.elcidhistoric.org
- Flamingo Park Historic District is a city historic district (HPB agenda listing 501 Claremore Drive): www.wpb.org
- Flamingo Park subdivision platted 1921 became Flamingo Park Historic Residential District: en.wikipedia.org
- Norton Museum of Art fronts South Dixie Highway; ZIP 33401: en.wikipedia.org
- SoSo bounded by Intracoastal, Dixie Highway, Southern Blvd and Gregory Road; not a historic district; heavy new construction on South Flagler Drive: www.yahoo.com
- SoSo addresses in ZIP 33405: www.nestseekers.com
- Landscaping not subject to historic review; site walls, fences, decks, patios, pergolas, sheds subject to staff review; vinyl not permitted; chain link only if screened; wood/aluminum allowed: www.wpb.org
- Historic district driveway materials; gravel/shell limited to side yards beyond front 25 ft; Sec. 94-49 COA procedures: www.wpb.org
- COA review tiers; HPB meets fourth Tuesday monthly; applications due for meeting two months out: www.wpb.org
- Tree Alteration Permit, Art. XIV Sec. 94-447; fees $25 SF + $5 per additional tree; certified tree survey for 6+ trees; species and DBH list: www.wpb.org
- F.S. 163.045 hazardous tree documentation exemption: www.flsenate.gov
- Potassium deficiency in palms: symptoms on oldest leaves, royal palm frizzled leaflets, severe decline, leaching, high N worsens, treat with K and Mg together: edis.ifas.ufl.edu
- Ficus whitefly: Ficus benjamina preferred host; yellowing, leaf drop, dieback, possible death; natural enemies insufficient: edis.ifas.ufl.edu
- Plants within ~1/8 mile of saltwater should be salt tolerant; salt-tolerant species: gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu
- Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1: www.nhc.noaa.gov
- South Florida dry season runs November through May; wet season roughly late May to mid-October: sfwmd.gov
Property assessment
Request an assessment in West Palm Beach
- 01Tell us about the propertyTown, property type and what you'd like looked after. Two minutes.
- 02A partner walks the groundsTurf, beds, palms, irrigation and drainage, with you, your manager or staff.
- 03You receive a written programScope, visit schedule and price in writing, before any work begins.
Prefer to talk it through? (561) 319-1104