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Boca Raton council approves ordinance requiring lobbyist disclosure for development applications
Summary
The council unanimously passed Ordinance 57-85, adding a certification requirement that development applicants disclose who may speak on their behalf and whether representatives are registered lobbyists; staff said the rule complements Palm Beach County ethics rules and exempts ordinary neighbors and uncompensated speakers.
The Boca Raton City Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 57-85, which requires development-application applicants to include a lobbyist certification identifying anyone authorized to represent them and whether that person is a registered lobbyist. Deputy Mayor (the ordinance sponsor) moved to approve the measure and Councilmember Stacy Sippel seconded; the motion passed 5-0.
Development Services Director Brandon Shadd told the council the certification would be part of the application completeness review and must be kept current throughout the approval process. Shadd said representatives appearing at hearings would also be required to state who they represent and disclose whether they are registered lobbyists.
Councilmembers asked staff to clarify the interplay between the proposed city requirement and existing Palm Beach County lobbyist registration administered by the Commission on Ethics. Shadd said the county code governs registration; the city ordinance would add a disclosure step specifically for development applications and would not replace county rules.
Councilmember Perlman raised concerns about the relationship between developers, lobbyists and staff during prior zoning and CIMD discussions and said he would follow up with staff to better understand whether the city’s processes had allowed undue influence; Shadd and City Attorney Mr. Kaylor said the proposed rule focuses on disclosure rather than prohibitions.
Two members of the public spoke during the hearing. Resident Joe Graubart said the ordinance would help rebuild public confidence and urged broader disclosure across boards and committees. Resident Jonathan Anjian asked whether technical consultants such as landscape architects or engineers would be required to register; staff and the city attorney said the key question is whether a person is retained to advocate on an applicant’s behalf and whether they are compensated or otherwise meet the county definition of a lobbyist.
Deputy Mayor, the ordinance sponsor, told the council the measure is intended to increase transparency and is not a ban on advocacy. City Attorney Kaylor clarified that ordinary neighbors and uncompensated speakers are not the ordinance’s target and that the county lobbying definition determines who is captured.
The ordinance will take effect as provided in the ordinance text and staff will implement administrative procedures to verify certifications during application review. The council introduced additional ordinance items for later consideration and moved on to other business.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 57-85 — motion to approve moved by Deputy Mayor (sponsor), seconded by Councilmember Stacy Sippel. Roll call: Drucker — Yes; Perlman — Yes; Sippel — Yes; Thompson — Yes; Grau — Yes. Outcome: Approved, 5-0.
