Relocation

Some say the only thing newcomers to the Palm Beaches need to know is east. That’s the direction to some of the most beautiful beaches in America along the Atlantic Ocean. That might be stretching the point, so we’ve included some other information which might make the transition to your new home easier.

Palm Beach County, a growing area covering 2,034 square miles, is a collection of 38 cities, towns and villages which together became a metropolis of 1 million people in 1997.

West Palm Beach is the commercial center and the County Seat with some 80,000 residents. The remainder are scattered throughout the Palm Beaches which is now one of the 10 fastest growing areas in the country.

Palm Beach County is truly a cosmopolitan melting pot. There are many natural Floridians, to be sure. But others come here from all over America to make new lives or to retire to warmer climates. The cosmopolitan lifestyle, the 45 miles of coastline, an average annual temperature of 75 degrees, numerous first-class medical facilities, churches and synagogues of every description, dining, shopping and recreation to suit every preference — all combine to create a remarkable, unique living experience.

The following is some information which you can probably use when you arrive.



NEWCOMER INFORMATION
The Palm Beaches is often referred to as Florida's "Gold Coast." It's named for the gold salvaged from ancient shipwrecks off the coast.

The county has 47 miles of coastline; is 2,054 square miles and is one of the largest counties east of the Mississippi River. The average year-round temperature is 75 degrees.

The county seat and largest city is West Palm Beach with a population of about 76,341 (1995). There are 36 other cities, towns and villages within the county for a total population of nearly 1 million. The Palm Beaches continues to experience tremendous population growth with a population density of 447 people per square mile. Other important information you need follows.

LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Autos, Boats & Motorcycles
The Tax Collector is the agent of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for titling and registering all water vessels and vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, as well as disabled parking placards.

Auto Licenses
New residents must register their vehicles and obtain Florida license plates within 10 days of establishing legal residency, accepting employment, or enrolling children in public school. Florida statutes provide for an additional registration fee of $100 for the first time certain vehicles are registered. To register your vehicle, you will need your title, car registration, proof of Florida insurance and passed auto emissions test. Call the Tax Collector’s Office at 355-2622 for information and the locations of offices.

Registrations for short-term leased vehicles expire in six months. Registration expirations for long-term leased vehicles are assigned an expiration month based on the first letter of the leasing company or registrant’s name.

All Florida drivers must have at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance and at least $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) insurance. For more information, contact the Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-342-2762 or a local insurance agent.

Boat Registration
All motorized vessels used in fresh or salt water, commercial and private, must be titled and registered with the Tax Collector before they can be used in Florida waters. Vessel trailers also must be registered. Title and registration fees are separate charges.

Vessel registrations are renewed during June and expire June 30 of the following year. The registration fees are determined by the length of the vessel. Any vessel registered for the first time between January and May 31 is eligible for a half-year fee.

Boats registered in another state do not need a Florida license if they are used here for no longer than 90 days. For more information, call the Tax Collector’s Office at 355-2622.

Driver’s License
New state residents who wish to drive in Florida are required to obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of moving here. You will be required to pass a visual test, written and driving test in order to get your license. Contact the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at 571 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach or call 681-6333 to find the location of the branch office nearest your new home.

Fishing License
In Florida, both a fresh and salt water fishing license is mandatory. To protect our natural resources, there are some legal minimum lengths and limits on the number of fish you may catch. There is also closed season on some shellfish and snook. To obtain a resident license for fishing and hunting, you must be a resident of Florida for six months. Residents 65 years of age or older receive complimentary hunting and fishing licenses. Visitors can obtain 10-day and seven-day non-resident licenses. A three-day salt water license is also available for non-residents. Licenses and information may be obtained at the Tax Collector’s Office or at any local subagent (bait shop, sporting goods store). The Main Area/Government Center is located at 301 N. Olive Avenue in downtown West Palm Beach, 355-2622.

Hunting License

A valid license is required for anyone taking or attempting to take game or forbearing animals. Hunters must also pay a fee to the owner of commercial shooting preserves for the privilege of hunting game. There are many special seasons, legal methods, bag limits, requirements and regulations that affect hunters in Florida. Consult the latest edition of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission’s Hunting Handbook Regulations Summary available from Tax Collector offices, 355-2622, and subagents. Or call the local Game & Freshwater Commission Office, 640-6100. All annual privileges expire 12 months from the date issued. Lifetime and five-year fishing licenses are available from the Tax Collector’s Office only.

Occupational Licenses
The Tax Collector has a contract with the Board of County Commissioners to issue occupational licenses for the privilege of operating a business anywhere in the county, including municipalities. Anyone providing merchandise or services to the public, even through a one-person company or home-based occupation, must obtain a license. Some businesses also are subject to county zoning codes and state regulations.

Occupational licenses expire September 30 and can be renewed on or after August 1. On October 1, they are delinquent and subject to penalties each month thereafter. New licenses are issued at any time during the year and are prorated April 1, at which time half-year fees apply.

Any change made in a license status, such as an address, ownership, or name change, must be reported to the Tax Collector’s Office. Public access to information about new businesses is required by law. Daily listings may be obtained in hard copy, on diskettes or by modem for Palm Beach County. Information on fees for those services are available by calling 355-2272 and pressing 4. A license must be obtained from West Palm Beach first if a business is located in that city. Call 659-8096 and press 3 for information.

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ESTABLISHING RESIDENCY
To establish residency, you may register to vote or you may file a Declaration of Domicile, which is an affidavit available at the County Administration Building. Filing one copy with the Circuit Court provides a record of your intention to make Florida your new home. Simply moving to the state does not guarantee legal residency. For more information, call any of the county courthouses. Numbers can be found in the Newcomer Information section of this Guide.
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HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
In Florida, $25,000 of the assessed value of your home can be exempt from real estate taxes, but you have to meet certain criteria to be eligible for the exemption.

1. You must have the title or record to your property as of January 1 and reside on the property.
   
   
2. You must be a legal and permanent resident of Florida as of January 1. You can fill out an application for the exemption with your county property appraiser at any time before March 1 of the year you want the exemption.
   
   
3. When applying for the exemption status, bring along a copy of your deed, your Florida driver’s license and your voter registration card or Declaration of Domicile. New applications must be filled out in the appraiser’s office. Following initial application, each year thereafter a receipt will be mailed to your home. This receipt is proof that the exemption you received on your property the past year are automatically renewed for the present year.
   
   
4. If you have bought, sold or rented this property since January 1 of the past year, or if you no longer qualify for the exemptions, Florida law requires you to notify the Property Appraiser’s Office. Exemptions cannot be transferred from one property to another. Those who have moved to another property before January 1 must go to one of the Property Appraiser’s offices for the exemption on the new property.
   
   
5. Florida law also provides for a $500 exemption for unmarried widows and widowers, servicemen with at least 10 percent service connected disability, and residents certified as legally blind and/or totally and permanently disabled by two licensed Florida physicians or Veteran’s Administration. In addition, certain disabled persons are entitled to total exemption of property taxes.
   
   

For further information, call the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser at 355-3230, or visit their offices at 301 N. Olive Avenue, 5th floor, West Palm Beach.
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HOUSES OF WORSHIP
Most major religious denominations have houses of worship located throughout the Palm Beaches. You will almost certainly find one compatible with your beliefs. Area clergy and religious leaders typically are very involved in community activities and are eager to help families settle into their new homes. For further information about places of worship in Palm Beach County, consult the local telephone directory.
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PET REGULATIONS
All dogs and cats must be registered and vaccinated in accordance with state law. You can obtain licenses at Animal Care and Control, 7100 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. The fee is $32 for a pet that has not been spayed or neutered and $12 for a pet that has been spayed or neutered. Senior citizens receive a 25 percent discount. For further information, call 233-1200. For south Palm Beach County, call 276-1344.
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SEAT BELTS
Florida law requires that all passengers in the front seat of a vehicle wear seat belts. Drivers will be held responsible and fined for passengers in the front seat, 15 and younger, who are not wearing seat belts. Passengers 16 and older can be fined individually for not wearing seat belts. Children age five and younger must be secured in federally approved child restraint seats. Many programs that loan child restraint seats have been organized. To find the location of one near you, call the Bureau of Public Safety Management, 904-488-5455.
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Information was obtained from local area sites, including but not limited to palmbeaches.com, lakeworth.org, westplambeach.com and is beleived to be reliable. Please report any errors to webmaster@lakeworthcity.com
Revised 09/27/98 LakeWorthCity.com