Lauderhill eases paint‑permit rules: neutral palettes, one accent allowed without permit

Lauderhill commissioners on May 11 approved an amendment to the City Code (Ordinance 26O05111) to update residential and multifamily paint standards and to streamline permit requirements for repainting. Planning staff presented a new guidance palette that expands neutral color options and adds two “option” palettes illustrating acceptable pastel neutrals; staff said that painting in a neutral palette or neutral plus one accent will not require a permit.

Planning director Daniel Keys and code compliance staff told commissioners that the existing palette was restrictive and duplicative; the change is intended to reduce permit workloads and make compliance easier for residents while retaining an approval path through the Community Appearance Committee (CAC) for bolder or multiple non‑neutral colors. Staff and commissioners agreed to a communications campaign—through code compliance and the city’s communications team—to notify homeowners, HOAs and realtors about the new rules before they take effect.

The ordinance passed 5–0. The CAC will continue to review proposed bold palettes and may deny applications that the committee deems incompatible with community standards; denial can be appealed to the commission.

Next steps: staff to run an outreach campaign explaining which color options no longer need permits and to continue CAC review for non‑neutral proposals.