Are you moving or looking for a new home or condo in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, or a nearby city?
Don’t be surprised if your choice has a municipal address but is outside city limits in the western suburbs of Palm Beach County. Your Lang Realty agent will know the difference, and it’s a big one.
You can’t vote in that municipal election if your address is not in the city limits. But your precinct may still be in the city. How will you know where to register to vote as a new Florida resident, and what elections you can vote in? Every county has a Supervisor of Elections and Palm Beach County can answer all your questions at Vote Palm Beach.
Who covers your police and paramedic/fire needs? Most cities and towns have their own police force and fire departments with paramedics and ambulances that only cover inside city limits. If you live in the county and dial 911, your call will be answered by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. If you want to make a complaint, here’s the breakdown of PBSO districts.
To whom do you pay your water and sewer bill, and how much does that cost annually? It depends. Some county addresses are still serviced for sewer and water by that city because the pipes are close by, so call that utility department and ask.
Who picks up your trash, recycling, and other waste if you live in the county? You’ll see Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (SWA) trucks out and about, and can find your location’s collection days and schedule at SWA’s ‘My Pick-Up Days’
Who can use the beaches and which ones are free? You can search for municipality, county, and other beaches online. Most are open to the general public and free, but Boca Raton requires an annual sticker or daily fee. The Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park, an authority separate from the city, considers residents who live in the southeastern corner of Palm Beach County, east of Florida Turnpike and south of Clint Moore Road eligible for a beach sticker, and other parks, pickleball, tennis, and swimming amenities. Boca Parks
What about libraries, parks, and rec? Most munis have their libraries, parks, and recreational services. Here’s Palm Beach County’s free public libraries and programming https://www.pbclibrary.org/ Here’s Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department’s parks, golf courses, nature centers, water parks, amphitheaters, calendar of events and activities. https://discover.pbcgov.org/parks/Pages/default.aspx
Here’s all new residents ‘need to know’ on Palm Beach County: https://discover.pbcgov.org/Pages/Residents.aspx
