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Roofing in Highland Beach, Florida

Highland Beach was incorporated in 1949, and it is almost entirely residential. That history matters for your roof. The town's homes were built in an era when many original roofs have since reached the age where insurers start asking questions. The median home here was built in 1983, and about 39 percent of homes predate 1980. If your roof is one of them, the age of the roof and the rules that apply to it should drive your next decision.

Request a quote407-242-2840

Updated October 2026

Aerial view of sandy beach, turquoise surf and tall condominium towers under blue sky.
Photo: Town of Highland Beach, Florida by Quintin Soloviev, CC0, cropped

At a glance

Highland Beach homes at a glance

People (2020 Census)
4,295
Median year homes were built
1983
Share of homes built before 1980
38.9%
Share of homes built 2010 or later
1.9%
Owner-occupied share of occupied homes
92.9%

Census figures; each one is listed in the sources at the end of this page.

Housing age

Highland Beach roofs are most often found at which age range

Homes in Highland Beach had a median build year of 1983, give or take 2 years. Roughly 38.9 percent of homes were built before 1980. That suggests many original roofs are now well past the 25-year mark, where Citizens Property Insurance begins to require paperwork.

Only about 1.9 percent of homes were built in 2010 or later. Most roofs here are older than the typical newer-construction roof, so a roof inspection is a sensible first step for most owners.

Permits and review

Who permits roof work in Highland Beach

Roof permits in this town go through the Building Department run by the Town of Highland Beach. On October 5, 2026, we reviewed the town's official building page. Before any work begins, check current requirements directly with that office.

Florida rules limit how much of a roof can be replaced without bringing the whole roof to current code. Under the 25 percent rule, no more than 25 percent of the roof area can be repaired or replaced in any 12-month period unless the entire roof covering is replaced or recovered.

Building permits

Town of Highland Beach - Building Department

Official building page

Office names and links only. Fees, forms and timing change; check the official page.

Weather risk

Storms and rain that reach Highland Beach

Only Miami-Dade and Broward fall within the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, so Palm Beach County is outside it. Hurricane Irma in 2017 produced storm surge of 2 to 4 feet along coastal Palm Beach County, and a sensor on the Intracoastal Waterway in Boca Raton read 3.05 feet.

Atlantic hurricane season spans June 1 through November 30, and most storms arrive between mid-August and mid-October. Of West Palm Beach International Airport's typical yearly rainfall, 67.3 percent comes between May and October, with August being the rainiest month.

NOAA Atlas 14 estimates a 10-year, 1-hour storm here drops 3.56 inches an hour, and a 24-hour 10-year storm drops 8.99 inches. Gutters and roof drainage should be checked before the rainy season.

Local record

On record for Highland Beach

  • Almost entirely residential (Wikipedia counts two businesses); incorporated in 1949.
  • The town has a dune restoration and preservation program page.
  • 85.1% of housing units are in buildings with 10 or more units.
  • 41.1% of all housing units are vacant and held for seasonal, recreational or occasional use.
  • Water makes up 58.4% of the place's total area.

Services

Roofing services in Highland Beach

Questions

Highland Beach roofing questions

What is the 25% roof rule in Florida?

Under the 25 percent rule, any 12-month span allows only so much of an existing roof to be fixed, replaced or recovered. Unless you replace the whole roof covering, you may not work on more than a quarter of its area. When the existing roof was built or repaired under the 2007 Florida Building Code or newer, just the repaired section needs to satisfy current code. A city or county ordinance cannot alter this exception. Ask the Town of Highland Beach Building Department how this applies to your particular roof.

Source: 2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 15 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof replacement

What is the new law in Florida about roofs?

The Ninth Edition of the Florida Building Code, known as the 2026 edition, takes effect on December 31, 2026. Any permit application or plan filed on or after that date has to follow the new edition. For Highland Beach homeowners planning roof work, the code edition in force on the date of submittal is what applies. Ask the Building Department which edition governs your project.

Source: Miami-Dade County RER notice, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof replacement

Do Highland Beach homes need roof permits?

For a roofing job in Highland Beach, the permit comes from the Town of Highland Beach Building Department. Permits become invalid if work does not start within 6 months of issuance, or if work stops for 6 months. Contact the Building Department to confirm the current process before starting.

Source: Town of Highland Beach - Building Department, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof replacement

How old are most roofs in Highland Beach?

Homes in Highland Beach had a median build year of 1983, give or take 2 years. About 38.9 percent of homes were built before 1980. Many original roofs are likely past 25 years old, which can bring insurer documentation requirements from Citizens Property Insurance. To find out which rules cover your policy, ask your insurer or agent.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, via Census Reporter API, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof inspections

How much rain does Highland Beach get in a storm?

NOAA Atlas 14 estimates that a 10-year, 1-hour storm here drops 3.56 inches of rain per hour. A 10-year, 24-hour storm drops 8.99 inches. Roof drainage and gutters should be able to handle these volumes. Check them before the rainy season, which peaks in August.

Source: NOAA Atlas 14 Volume 9 version 2, partial-duration intensity estimates at the Highland Beach 2020 Census internal point (26.4106, -80.0645), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Gutters

Nearby

Near Highland Beach

Palm Beach CountyOur 20 counties

Palm Beach County

More in Palm Beach County

Sources for this page(32)
  1. 1.Median year homes were built: 1983. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  2. 2.Share of homes built before 1980: 38.9%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25034, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  3. 3.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  4. 4.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, B25034, B25024, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  5. 5.Share of homes built 2010 or later: 1.9%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25034, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  6. 6.Permit office: Town of Highland Beach - Building Department. Town of Highland Beach - Building Department. Read Oct 10, 2026.
  7. 7.Hurricane Irma (2017). NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (AL112017). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  8. 8.Florida Building Commission, 'Setting New Standards for Safety: The Florida Building Code' (2004 publication; wind-speed figures in it are outdated and not used). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  9. 9.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25024, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  10. 10.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25004, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  11. 11.Hurricane Matthew (2016). NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Matthew (AL142016). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  12. 12.Hurricane Dorian (2019). NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Dorian (AL052019). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  13. 13.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Climatology. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  14. 14.NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (access data service). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  15. 15.Wikipedia, 'Highland Beach, Florida' (revision 1375548765). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  16. 16.Year incorporated: 1949. Wikipedia, 'List of municipalities in Florida'. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  17. 17.People (2020 Census): 4,295. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (POP100, HU100) via TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 layer 26 (Incorporated Places). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  18. 18.Owner-occupied share of occupied homes: 92.9% (2,175 of 2,341). U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25003, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  19. 19.Official website: Town of Highland Beach, Dune Restoration & Preservation. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  20. 20.U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (POP100, HU100) via TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 (AREALAND/AREAWATER). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  21. 21.Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, inspections FAQ (updated 2026-03-17), Citizens Property Insurance. Read Oct 4, 2026.
  22. 22.Town of Highland Beach - Building Department, Town of Highland Beach. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  23. 23.2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 15 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription), UpCodes (Florida Building Code transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  24. 24.2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 1 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription), UpCodes (Florida Building Code transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  25. 25.Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 61G20-3, Florida Administrative Code. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  26. 26.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (AL112017), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  27. 27.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Matthew (AL142016), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  28. 28.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Dorian (AL052019), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  29. 29.NOAA Atlas 14 Volume 9 version 2, partial-duration intensity estimates at the Highland Beach 2020 Census internal point (26.4106, -80.0645), NOAA Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  30. 30.NOAA Atlas 14 Volume 9 version 2, partial-duration 24-hour depth estimates at the Highland Beach 2020 Census internal point (26.4106, -80.0645), NOAA Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  31. 31.Wikipedia, 'List of municipalities in Florida', Wikipedia. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  32. 32.Miami-Dade County RER notice, Miami. Read Oct 5, 2026.

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