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Lake Worth Beach launches comprehensive landscape code rewrite with $140,000 budget
Summary
City staff told the Tree & Landscape Board the city hired Chen Moore and Associates to lead a three‑phase rewrite of environmental sections of the Landscape Code, funded by a $140,000 allocation from the Sustainable Bonus Incentive Fund; staff said penalties and standards will be stricter and economic hardship will not reduce penalties.
The City of Lake Worth Beach has begun a comprehensive rewrite of its Landscape Code, city staff told the Tree & Landscape Board on April 9, 2026. Scott Rodriguez, Assistant Director for Planning & Preservation, said the city selected Chen Moore and Associates as the consultant and budgeted $140,000 from the Sustainable Bonus Incentive Fund for the project.
"The budgeted amount (140K) comes from the Sustainable Bonus Incentive Fund," Rodriguez said, adding that the rewrite will focus on environmental sections of the Code and that the product will be brought to advisory boards nearer the end of the year. Rodriguez described the process as a three‑phase effort: Phase I updating landscape code sections; Phase II preparing a landscape design handbook with industry best practices; and Phase III holding city workshops leading to final approvals.
Rodriguez also told the Board the revision will be "strict in the sense that staff, City Commission and the Special Magistrate will not have the ability to alter penalties and requirements," and that "an economic hardship is not a factor in reducing penalties." Board members requested clarifications on multiple items so staff can better assist the public during implementation.
The Board asked to be kept apprised as the rewrite progresses; staff said further clarifications and outreach will accompany later draft materials. The Board will review materials when they are presented to advisory bodies.
