Residential Height and Three-Story Mega-Home Regulations
Summary
Neighbors on Cocoanut Road say the city is wrongly allowing habitable third floors above the 25-foot height limit in single-family districts, based on a 2009 roof-design amendment. Council directed the city attorney to review the interpretation and explore a lawful pause on approvals, possibly by October 27.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 10
- Last 30 days
- 3
Rising — discussed at 3 meetings since Oct 1, 2026, up from 1 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
Residents opposing the project have retained counsel and warn of costly litigation; property values in R-1 neighborhoods could be affected either way.
Homeowners in single-family neighborhoods who want to preserve neighborhood character and privacy.
Property owners and builders with pending applications who could face delays under a pause on approvals.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Boca Raton Residents, Developers Spar Over Building Story Limitation
Boca Raton residents and developers faced off in a city council meeting over a rule that was wrongly interpreted to allow three story homes in residential neighborhoods, as officials considered adopting a formal clarification. The council ultimately ...
City Council (Regular) - Oct 27, 2026
The council affirmed that the roof-height allowance above 25 feet doesn't create a right to build extra livable floors — effectively ending three-story single-family homes going forward. Five applications already in the pipeline get to continue, and one developer voluntarily downsized his Coconut Road project to two stories.
Workshop (Regular) - Oct 13, 2026
Neighbors on Cocoanut Road say the city is wrongly allowing habitable third floors above the 25-foot height limit in single-family districts, based on a 2009 roof-design amendment. Council directed the city attorney to review the interpretation and explore a lawful pause on approvals, possibly by October 27.
Planning and Zoning Board - Oct 1, 2026
Barrier island residents raised urgent concerns about code interpretations allowing large three-story homes and habitable spaces above 25 feet, calling for stricter enforcement and code review.
Planning and Zoning Board - Jul 16, 2026
Board members raised concerns about the scale and modern architectural style of new single-family homes replacing older houses in local neighborhoods.
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