The Live Local Act (LLA) (more formally known as Senate Bill 102) was first signed into law in March of 2023. Amended and passed by the Florida Legislature as Senate Bill 328 on February 28, 2024, the LLA aims to strengthen housing development projects across the state, including those constructed in Palm Beach County. The act, which encourages the development of workforce and mixed-income housing by allowing greater density and streamlined approvals, brings both opportunities and challenges for developers in the area.

Read on for more about what the Live Local Act means for investors and developers in Palm Beach County and throughout Florida, and contact us at Seacoast Consulting Group to ask your questions or learn more about how we can represent you in your next development project.

What the LLA Means for Housing Projects in Palm Beach County

Florida’s Live Local Act is significantly reshaping housing development projects in the state. One way it does so is through increased density requirements. There are also new regulations related to parking minimums, height restrictions, floor area ratio adjustments and more. Here are a few key changes to note:

• Increased density for workforce and affordable housing – The LLA allows developers to build mixed-income multifamily projects with increased density if at least 40% of units are designated as affordable housing for residents earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In Palm Beach County, where housing costs are steadily rising, this could result in more housing stock and increased project feasibility in areas that were previously limited by zoning restrictions.

• Changes to parking, FAR and height adjustments – New provisions reduce a local government’s parking requirements if the development is located within a half mile of certain transportation facilities and has available parking within 600 feet. The Act also provides adjustments to floor area ratio (FAR) requirements and building height provisions to allow increased height in appropriate areas.

• Streamlined approvals – One of the most impactful aspects of the LLA is the preemption of certain local zoning laws, which streamlines the approval process for qualifying projects. Developers in Palm Beach County can now bypass some of the stricter zoning restrictions that typically hinder higher-density projects, and this may speed up timelines for approvals and construction.

The Live Local Act provides new opportunities for developers focused on workforce and mixed-income housing as it enables them to pursue projects in previously underdeveloped or restrictive areas.

If you are planning a mixed-use or multi-family development project in Palm Beach County, connect with our team at Seacoast Consulting Group. We’ve completed numerous multi-family projects in our 25+ years in the construction industry and are here to represent you through the process. Our local experience and expansive network mean we can help you build an exceptional project and construction team. We are well-connected to commercial realtors, land-use attorneys, architects, and many other key players you’ll need to see your project through to successful completion. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.