Zoning explained · Palm Beach County

Single Family Residential (R-1-AA) District Delray Beach, Florida

R-1-AA is one of six single family districts regulated together by Sec. 4.4.3 (R-1-AAA, R-1-AAAB, R-1-AA, R-1-AAB, R-1-A, R-1-AB), created for traditional single family detached residences protected from inappropriate uses. Permitted uses are limited to single family homes and a few civic/parking uses; institutional and child care uses are conditional.

1 building zoned R-1-AA13 permitted business types
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Insights › Zoning & land use › Delray Beach — R-1-AA
Permitted uses

What you can operate in R-1-AA, Delray Beach

The businesses the R-1-AA district in Delray Beach allows. The ones on the left are permitted by right; the ones on the right need a special approval first. (Zoning codes are set by each municipality, so R-1-AA here means specifically Delray Beach's R-1-AA district.)

Allowed by right
Conventionally sited single family detached residencesFamily Community Residence (only if at least 660 linear feet from closest existing community residence housing four or more individuals, and operator is state-licensed/certified, nationally accredited, or recognized by Congress)Parking lots not associated with a use (pursuant to an adopted neighborhood or redevelopment plan)Pocket parksPublic educational facilities of The School District of Palm Beach County (subject to Section 4.3.3(HH))
With special approval
Child care and adult day careChurches, or places of worship, and their attendant educational, nursery, Sunday school, recreational, and columbarium facilities (does not allow elementary school or general day care, which need a separate conditional use application or rezoning to CF)Private educational facilities (subject to Section 4.3.3(HHH))Use of common recreational facilities such as swimming pools and tennis courts, associated with a subdivision, for club or commercial purposesSingle family detached residences in zero lot developments (only in the R-1-A and R-1-AA Districts)Large Family Child Care Home (subject to Section 4.3.3(TT))Family Community Residence (only if less than 660 ft from an existing community residence, or state licensing/certification not required or not held)Transitional Community Residence (except as required by state law)
Build envelope

Development standards

Headline dimensional limits for this district. Confirm exact figures against the current code for your specific parcel.

East of the Intracoastal Waterwaymaximum floor area ratio for a single family structure is 0.65; five-foot step-back above second story and/or 26 ft of height (whichever is less) on rear, side street and side interior facades (outside North Beach/Seagate and Ocean Overlay Districts)
Lake Ida Neighborhood Overlay Districtmaximum lot coverage 40% for one-story and 30% for multi-story houses; maximum FAR .35 for multi-story house (.40 with Lake Ida frontage); multi-story minimum setbacks in R-1-AA 25 ft front / 15 ft rear
StandardOtherwise Section 4.3.4 development standards apply (matrix not included in this PDF)
Accessory usesUses and structures normally associated with residences, such as bird aviaries, dog houses and dog runs, detached garages, greenhouses, playhouses, pool houses, slat houses, storage sheds, tennis courts, swimming pools, and workshops (subject to Section 4.3.3(QQ)); Home-based businesses (subject to Section 4.3.3(K)); Family day care home (subject to Section 4.3.3(T)); Recreational facilities attendant to a subdivision operated under a homeowners association, such as tennis courts, swimming pools, exercise area, clubhouse, and golf courses; Boat docks (subject to Article 7.9; rental or lease only when dock is assigned to, or on same lot as, each residential use one-to-one); Guest cottages (subject to Section 4.3.3(Q))
StandardRead from LDR Sec. 4.4.3; permitted = by right, conditional = needs conditional-use / special-exception approval
The fine print

In plain English

BY RIGHT No hearing needed

If your business is on the by-right list, you can occupy a space in this district and open — no zoning hearing. Building permits and licensing still apply, but the use itself is already allowed.

SPECIAL Approval first

Special-approval uses can work here too, but they go through a public review before opening. Plan for extra time and possible conditions — we'll tell you which path a space needs.

Looking for space zoned R-1-AA in Delray Beach?

Tell us what you'll run in it — we'll match you to the right building in Delray Beach and flag anything that needs approval.

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Based on the Delray Beach zoning code.
Educational content — not legal or zoning advice. Verify permitted uses with the municipality for your specific parcel.