24 Oct Highland Beach, FL Guide (2026): Oceanfront Condos, Taxes, Recertification and Sea Turtles

Highland Beach, FL Guide (2026): Oceanfront Condos, Taxes, Recertification and Sea Turtles

Highland Beach is a small Palm Beach County town on the barrier island between Boca Raton and Delray Beach, where condominiums and homes line State Road A1A between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Town has its own building recertification program, which starts at 25 years and repeats every 7 years once a building turns 40. It runs its own police department and, since Delray Beach’s fire rescue service ended in April 2024, its own fire rescue. Its operating tax rate for 2025–26 is 3.4159 mills.

This guide uses official Town of Highland Beach and State of Florida sources, checked October 24, 2026. It is general information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.

On This Page

• Highland Beach at a glance
• Oceanfront condos
• Property taxes
• Building recertification
• Sea turtles and beach rules
• Flood information
• Police and fire rescue
• Nearby towns
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

Highland Beach at a Glance

Oceanfront Condos

Condominium buildings line much of A1A in Highland Beach. Our Highland Beach oceanfront condos page lists the buildings with year built, units, recertification timing and dated asking prices.

Property Taxes

The Town of Highland Beach set its operating tax rate at 3.4159 mills for 2025–26, up from 3.4040 in 2024–25, according to the Florida Department of Revenue. That is $3.4159 for every $1,000 of taxable value, and it is only the town’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

Highland Beach adopted a recertification ordinance (Ordinance 2021-011) on November 16, 2021. The Town’s milestone inspection summary says:

• Which buildings. The program covers threshold buildings and the condominium and cooperative buildings covered by section 553.899, Florida Statutes (generally those three or more habitable stories tall).
• Schedule. Buildings 25 years or older require recertification every 10 years, and buildings 40 years or older every 7 years.
• What is inspected. Structural inspections are done in phases, and an electrical inspection is also required.

That schedule is more frequent than Florida’s statewide milestone inspection law, which requires a first inspection by December 31 of the year a building turns 30 (or 25, if the local building official requires it) and every 10 years after that. 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)). See our Broward vs. Palm Beach County inspection rules guide.

Sea Turtles and Beach Rules

The Town says Highland Beach has more sea turtle nests each year than Boca Raton and Delray Beach, with a nesting season from March 1 to October 31.

• Lighting. From dusk to dawn, the Town asks residents to turn off lights not needed for safety. Lights that must stay on should use shielded, long-wavelength amber LEDs that can’t be seen from the beach, and shades or curtains should be closed at night. The Town has a sea turtle lighting ordinance; questions go to the Town Planner (561-637-2012).
• Beach furniture. The Town advises removing beach furniture, boats, toys and trash at the end of each day and filling in holes in the sand, because items left on the sand can block crawling sea turtles.

Flood Information

The Town links to Forerunner from its Flood Protection page for flood zone and elevation certificate information; the Town’s main number is 561-278-4548. Florida requires sellers of residential property to give a flood disclosure at or before signing the contract (section 689.302).

Police and Fire Rescue

Highland Beach has its own police department at Town Hall, which lists a marine patrol unit; non-emergency calls go through the Delray Beach Police Dispatch Center (561-276-2458). Fire rescue was provided by the City of Delray Beach through April 2024. The Town’s own Highland Beach Fire Rescue now operates from Fire Station 120, named for Mayor Douglas Hillman.

Nearby Towns

• Boca Raton, FL guide and Boca Raton oceanfront condos
• Palm Beach oceanfront condos
• Hillsboro Beach, FL guide

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

• Gulf Stream, FL guide
• Delray Beach, FL guide

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Highland Beach condo buildings need recertification?

Under the Town’s program, buildings 25 years or older are recertified every 10 years, and buildings 40 years or older every 7 years.

What is the property tax rate in Highland Beach?

The Town’s operating rate is 3.4159 mills for fiscal year 2025–26. Your total bill also includes county, school and other district rates.

Does Highland Beach have its own fire department?

Yes. Delray Beach provided fire rescue through April 2024; the Town’s own Highland Beach Fire Rescue now operates from Fire Station 120.

When is sea turtle nesting season in Highland Beach?

March 1 to October 31, according to the Town, which says it has more nests each year than Boca Raton and Delray Beach.

Sources

Checked October 24, 2026:

• Town of Highland Beach: Milestone Recertification Information, Milestone Inspection Summary, Fire Rescue, Police Department, Sea Turtles and Flood Protection
• Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Population Estimates by County and Municipality (April 1, 2025)
• Incorporation: Historical Society of Palm Beach County
• Florida Department of Revenue, Comparison of Taxes Levied, FY 2024-25 and 2025-26 (Palm Beach)
• Sections 553.899, 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