Zoning explained · Palm Beach County

Medium Density Residential (RM) District with density suffix (RM-10 = max 10 units per acre) Delray Beach, Florida

The code has no separate RM-10 district; RM-10 is the Medium Density Residential (RM) District (Sec. 4.4.6) with a numerical density suffix (the code's example is RM-8 limiting density to eight units per acre), so RM-10 would limit density to ten units per acre. RM is a residential district with a base density of six units per acre, maximum standard density of 12 per acre, and up to 24 per acre in designated incentive areas.

1 building zoned RM-1021 permitted business types
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Insights › Zoning & land use › Delray Beach — RM-10
Permitted uses

What you can operate in RM-10, Delray Beach

The businesses the RM-10 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 RM-10 here means specifically Delray Beach's RM-10 district.)

Allowed by right
Single family detached dwellingsDuplex structuresMultiple family structuresAn abused spouse residence with 12 or fewer residentsCommunity Residence housing four to ten individuals (only if at least 660 ft from an existing community residence and operator licensed/certified/accredited/recognized)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))Assisted Living Facilities that do not comport with the definition of community residence, and Continuing Care FacilitiesNursing Homes (within multi-family structures only)
With special approval
Child care and adult day carePrivate educational facilities (subject to Section 4.3.3(HHH))Churches, or places of worship, and their attendant educational, nursery, Sunday school, recreational, and columbarium facilitiesUse of common recreational facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, and golf courses (associated with a subdivision) for club or commercial purposesSingle family detached residences in zero lot developmentsYacht club with facilitiesDock master facilities (when associated with a multi-family development which has a marina)Private beach clubs with attendant recreational, dining, and related accessory facilities (only south of Atlantic Dunes Park and east of SR A1A, or south of Casurina Road, north of Bucida Road and east of SR A1A)Bed and Breakfast Inns (subject to LDR Section 4.3.3(Y))Large Family Child Care Home (subject to Section 4.3.3(TT))Community Residence housing four to ten individuals (if less than 660 ft from an existing community residence or state licensing/certification not required or not held)
Build envelope

Development standards

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

Densitybase 6 units/acre; maximum standard 12 units/acre; up to 24 units/acre in Southwest Neighborhood, Carver Estates, S.W. 10 Street and Flo Delray Overlay Districts; up to 18 in Infill Workforce Housing Area (subject to Article 4.7)
StandardDensity suffix (e.g. RM-8) limits density to that many units per acre; a higher density requires rezoning
StandardR-1-A standards apply to single family detached; Section 4.3.4 applies to duplex and multi-family
East of Intracoastal Waterway duplex/multi-family (workforce housing standards)max FAR 0.70 (lots up to 30,000 sf) or 0.75 (30,000 sf and above); five-foot step-back above second story and/or 26 ft
StandardRecreational areas required for new rental apartment developments (may be waived under 25 units)
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 private golf courses; Boat docks (subject to Article 7.9; one-to-one with residential use); Guest cottages (subject to Section 4.3.3(Q)); Community Gardens (subject to Section 4.3.3(D))
StandardRead from LDR Sec. 4.4.6; 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 RM-10 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.