Easement Abandonment Process

Town Code of Ordinances, Chapter 106, Article IV, requires an application to abandon a public utility easement to be made in writing on an application form provided by the Town and include the following information:

(1)  The name and address of the applicant.

(2)  A general description of the street, alley, special purpose easement or other non-fee interest of the Town the applicant seeks to have abandoned, and the location of same. A legal description shall be provided, which description shall be accompanied by a plat, map, or drawing, that also shows the general area involved and the location of the specific property interest to be abandoned.

(3)  The reason for the request of abandonment.

(4)  The names and addresses of the owners and occupants of real property bounding and abutting the street, alley, special purpose easement or other non-fee interest of the Town the applicant seeks to have abandoned, and all owners of property within 300 feet in all directions from any point of a street or alley proposed to be abandoned. The owners of property shall be deemed to be those shown on the then current tax assessment role of the Town. (Note: This is performed by the Town temporary staff if the Town accepts the responsibility or by the property owner if the owner retains the responsibility of processing the request to abandon the easement.)

(5)  Letters of consent from affected utilities in the event of a utility abandonment, including but not limited to, FPL, Southern Bell Telephone Company, Florida Public Utilities, West Palm Beach Water Department, Comcast Cable Television, American Telephone and Telegraph, Town of Palm Beach Water Pollution Control Division, Operations Division, and the Town of Palm Beach Electrical Bureau.

(6)  Existing utilities or improvements, if any, in the area involved. If utilities and improvements need to be relocated, all details regarding same should be identified, including dedication of new easements including legal descriptions.

(7)  At least 45 days prior to the Town Council meeting at which the application is to be considered, 20 complete copies of the application should be submitted to the Public Works Department.

(8)  Such other relevant information as the Town may require. The application shall be signed by the party requesting same, who shall verify same under oath that the information contained therein is true and correct.

Click this link for the application:

https://www.townofpalmbeach.com/DocumentCenter/View/383/Right-of-Way–Abandonment-Application?bidId=

Click this link to review Chapter 106, Article IV, Vacation and Abandonment of Streets and Easements & the process:

https://library.municode.com/fl/palm_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances

Contact the Town’s Planning Building and Zoning Department with additional questions:

P.O. Box 2029       
360 S. County Rd.           
Palm Beach, FL 33480    

Ph: 561-838-5431
Fx: 561-835-4621