Which county is each city in?
The Broward County Supervisor of Elections lists Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale among the county's municipalities, alongside a separate entry for unincorporated areas and tribal lands. Palm Beach County lists 39 incorporated municipalities, including Delray Beach, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton.
What is the difference between a city and an unincorporated area?
Palm Beach County explains that each municipality enacts and enforces policies and laws within its incorporated boundaries, except for countywide ordinances specified in the county charter, and that people living within municipal boundaries should contact their municipality about public services.
In Broward, the Board of County Commissioners governs the Broward Municipal Services District, which provides local services such as zoning, code enforcement, road maintenance, libraries and parks. Its listed communities include Hillsboro Pines and Hillsboro Ranches in the northern part of the county, Broadview Park, and Boulevard Gardens, Franklin Park, Roosevelt Gardens and Washington Park in central Broward.[2][3]
How can you confirm the jurisdiction for an address?
For Palm Beach County addresses, the county's Neighborhood Information Dashboard shows a "Your Municipality" field along with the evacuation zone, flood zone, school, water service, solid waste resources and planning, zoning and building contacts. The county notes that you may need to contact your municipality for permitting and code compliance, and that results should be confirmed with the appropriate government office.
Jurisdiction affects everyday services too. In Lighthouse Point, for example, the city does not bill for water or trash; it refers residents to Broward County, and Pompano Beach supplies water to a small portion of the city. For a Broward address, confirm city limits with the city's planning or building department before relying on city-specific rules such as permits, resident parking programs or rental registration.[4][5]
Key takeaways
- Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale are Broward County municipalities.
- Delray Beach and West Palm Beach are among Palm Beach County's 39 incorporated municipalities.
- Cities enforce their own laws within their boundaries, while unincorporated areas are governed by the county.
- Use Palm Beach County's Neighborhood Information Dashboard or the city's planning office to confirm jurisdiction for a specific address.
Sources
- [1]Broward County Supervisor of Elections — Cities by Precincts
- [2]Palm Beach County — Municipalities
- [3]Broward County — Broward Municipal Services District
- [4]Palm Beach County — Neighborhood Information Dashboard
- [5]City of Lighthouse Point — Lien Search Requests
Reviewed October 11, 2026. General real-estate information for Florida, not legal, tax, lending or insurance advice. Laws, rates and deadlines change — confirm property-specific facts with the agency cited, a Florida real-estate attorney, CPA or licensed insurance agent.