24 Oct Boca Raton, FL Guide (2026): Condos, Taxes, Building Recertification and Flood Insurance

Boca Raton, FL Guide (2026): Condos, Taxes, Building Recertification and Flood Insurance

Boca Raton is the southernmost coastal city in Palm Beach County, just north of Deerfield Beach across the Hillsboro Canal and the Broward County line. The City says it has five miles of Atlantic coastline and calls itself the second-largest city in the Palm Beaches. The U.S. Census Bureau counted 97,422 residents in 2020 on 29.18 square miles of land. Because Boca is in Palm Beach County, Broward’s 25-year building safety inspection program does not apply; instead, buildings follow the City’s own recertification program (25 years for condos and co-ops of 3 or more stories or 50 feet within 3 miles of the coast, 30 years for other covered buildings), alongside Florida’s statewide milestone inspection law for condo and co-op buildings. The City’s operating tax rate for 2025–26 is 3.6476 mills, and the City says its floodplain work qualifies residents for a 25% discount on flood insurance.

This guide uses official City of Boca Raton, U.S. Census Bureau and State of Florida sources, checked October 24, 2026. It is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.

On This Page

• Boca Raton at a glance
• Condos and townhomes
• Property taxes
• Building recertification
• Flood zones and the 25% discount
• Beaches and sea turtles
• Police and fire rescue
• Nearby towns
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

Boca Raton at a Glance

The City traces its business community to the development of the personal computer at the IBM campus and says more than 30 corporate headquarters are in Boca Raton. Its look was shaped by architect Addison Mizner’s Mediterranean Revival style, and the City says it was one of the first in the country to adopt a tree protection ordinance.

Condos and Townhomes

Many of Boca Raton’s oceanfront condominiums are on State Road A1A, with more buildings and townhome communities along the Intracoastal Waterway. Our building pages show year built, units, inspection timing and dated asking prices:

• Boca Raton oceanfront condos: oceanfront buildings with inspection timing and dated asking prices
• Highland Beach oceanfront condos, just north on A1A

The Census Bureau’s citywide median value for owner-occupied homes is $722,700 (2020–2024 estimate). It covers the whole city; see our building pages for dated asking prices by building.

Property Taxes

The City of Boca Raton set its operating tax rate at 3.6476 mills for 2025–26, down from 3.6548 in 2024–25, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. That is $3.6476 for every $1,000 of taxable value, and it is only the city’s share. Your total bill also includes Palm Beach County, the school district and other taxing districts. A property’s assessed and taxable values are on the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser website, and its tax bills are on the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s website. After a sale, the property is reassessed at full market (just) value as of January 1 of the following year, so the buyer does not inherit the seller’s capped assessed value; only the buyer’s own exemptions and any homestead portability benefit the buyer qualifies for apply (sections 193.155, 193.1554 and 193.1555, Florida Statutes). Don’t assume the seller’s tax bill will carry over.

Building Recertification

Boca Raton adopted its Building Recertification Program (Ordinance 5589, Code section 19-162) on August 24, 2021. Under the program:

• Threshold buildings and taller condos. Threshold buildings (over 3 stories or 50 feet, and large assembly buildings) and condo and co-op buildings 3 or more stories or 50 feet or taller are recertified at 30 years, then every 10 years.
• Coastal condos and co-ops. Condominium and cooperative buildings of 3 or more stories or 50 feet or taller that are within 3 miles of a coastline are subject at 25 years instead of 30.
• What is inspected. Recertification includes a structural report and an electrical report.
• Exclusions. Single-family homes and duplexes are excluded.

Separately, Florida requires a structural integrity reserve study (SIRS) at least every 10 years for condominium buildings of three or more habitable stories. As a buyer of a resale condo, you are entitled, at the seller’s expense, to the summary of the milestone inspection report (if applicable) and the association’s most recent SIRS, or a statement that the association has not completed one (section 718.503(2)(a)). If you are comparing Boca with Deerfield Beach or Hillsboro Beach next door, see our Broward vs. Palm Beach County inspection rules guide.

Flood Zones and the 25% Discount

• Much of the city is in the flood zone. The City says a large portion of Boca Raton lies in FEMA’s special flood hazard area, meaning a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any year. It notes that FEMA adopted new flood maps on December 20, 2024. You can look up any address with FEMA’s mapping tool.
• Insurance discount. The City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and says its floodplain management activities qualify residents for a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums. It recommends that all residents consider flood insurance, whether or not they are in the special flood hazard area. New policies usually take effect 30 days after purchase.
• Elevation certificates. The City keeps copies of elevation certificates for new or substantially improved structures in special flood hazard areas.
• Seller flood disclosure. Florida requires sellers of residential property to give a flood disclosure at or before signing the contract (section 689.302).

Beaches and Sea Turtles

The City manages its beach parks, including Spanish River Park and Red Reef Park, and sells beach, dog and boat permits. For sea turtles, the City recommends red or amber turtle-friendly lighting near the beach, shielding lights and turning off unnecessary lights at night. The City’s Lighting and Beachfront Issues page lists 561-393-7810 as its contact number, and it links to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for more on sea turtle lighting.

Police and Fire Rescue

Boca Raton has its own Police Services Department (100 NW Boca Raton Blvd; 561-338-1234) and its own Fire Rescue Services. The City dates the idea of a city fire department to 1925, and its first fire engine, “Old Betsy,” arrived in 1926.

Nearby Towns

• Delray Beach, FL guide
• Deerfield Beach, FL guide
• Hillsboro Beach, FL guide
• Highland Beach oceanfront condos

Before you sign, use our Florida condo due diligence checklist. If you are selling a condo, see Selling a Florida Condo in 2026.

• Highland Beach, FL guide
• Parkland, FL guide

Condo owners and buyers may also want Florida condo special assessments explained and Florida milestone inspection and SIRS guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boca Raton in Broward or Palm Beach County?

Palm Beach County. Deerfield Beach, just south across the Hillsboro Canal, is in Broward County, and the two counties have different building inspection rules.

What is the population of Boca Raton?

The 2020 Census counted 97,422 residents, and the Census Bureau estimated 101,582 as of July 1, 2025.

When does a Boca Raton condo building need recertification?

Under the City’s program, condo and co-op buildings 3 or more stories or 50 feet or taller, and threshold buildings, at 30 years and every 10 years after that, and those condo and co-op buildings at 25 years if they are within 3 miles of a coastline.

What flood insurance discount do Boca Raton residents get?

The City says its floodplain management activities qualify residents for a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums.

What is the property tax rate in Boca Raton?

The City’s operating rate is 3.6476 mills for fiscal year 2025–26. Your total bill also includes county, school and other district rates.

Sources

Checked October 24, 2026:

• City of Boca Raton, centennial announcement (incorporation May 26, 1925)
• City of Boca Raton: About Boca Raton, Building Recertification Inspection Program, Building Recertification Program Ordinance, Know Your Flood Zone, Insure Your Property, Lighting and Beachfront Issues, Police Services and Fire Rescue History
• U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Boca Raton city, Florida
• Florida Department of Revenue, Comparison of Taxes Levied, FY 2024-25 and 2025-26 (Palm Beach) and Florida Department of Revenue, Comparison of Taxes Levied, FY 2024-25 and 2025-26 (Broward)
• Sections 718.112, 718.503 and 689.302, Florida Statutes (2026)

Last updated October 24, 2026. Building details come from county property records, public listings and government sources and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prices are asking prices or estimates as of the date shown. Not legal, financial or engineering advice. Full disclaimer