Highland Beach Resources & Local Links
A curated directory for Highland Beach residents and seasonal visitors — from town government and public safety to natural resources, wildlife, and recreation. Everything you need to connect with this quiet, coastal community tucked between Boca Raton and Delray Beach on Florida's A1A.
Local Government
Highland Beach is governed by a five-member Town Commission with an appointed Town Manager overseeing day-to-day operations. The town's website (highlandbeach.us) is the central hub for commission agendas, ordinances, permits, utility billing, and public notices. All town meetings are open to the public.
- Town of Highland Beach Official Website Town government, agendas, permits, utility billing
- Town Commission Five-member elected commission — meeting schedules & agendas
- Office of the Town Manager Town Manager and administrative offices
- Town Clerk's Office Public records requests, elections, ordinances
- Palm Beach County Government County services, property records, tax information
- Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Property search, valuations, tax exemptions
Public Safety
Highland Beach maintains its own Police Department and, as of May 2024, an independent Fire Rescue Department. The town's compact geography allows for excellent response times. For emergencies, always call 911. Non-emergency contacts are listed below.
- Highland Beach Police Department Town police — non-emergency: (561) 278-4501
- Highland Beach Fire Rescue Independent department since May 2024 — emergency & EMS
- Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office County-wide law enforcement & services
- Florida Department of Health — Emergency Preparedness Hurricane & disaster preparedness resources
- PBC Division of Emergency Management Evacuation zones, shelter locations, alerts
Community Services
Despite its small size, Highland Beach provides residents with a public library, building and zoning department, water utility, and a range of community programs. The town's library holds over 20,000 volumes and offers programming for all ages.
- Highland Beach Town Library Public library — ~20,198 volumes, digital resources & programming
- Building Department Permits, inspections, zoning compliance
- Town Utilities / Water Department Water service, billing, conservation programs
- Finance Department Town budget, financial reports, tax information
- Palm Beach County Library System Countywide library network, digital borrowing, programs
- USPS — Boca Raton / Delray Beach Post Offices Nearest post offices serving Highland Beach ZIP codes
Natural Resources
Highland Beach actively protects its 2.9-mile Atlantic shoreline. The Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board (NRPAB) guides the Town Commission on beach renourishment, dune restoration, sea turtle nesting ordinances, and coastal vegetation management. The town enforces dark-sky lighting standards during nesting season.
- Highland Beach NRPAB LOCAL Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board — agendas & minutes
- FWC Sea Turtle Research Sea turtle species, nesting data, conservation
- Gumbo Limbo Nature Center Sea turtle rehab, coastal education — Boca Raton (nearby)
- Florida Native Plant Society Native plant guides, coastal landscaping resources
- FDEP Bureau of Beaches & Coastal Systems Beach renourishment, erosion, coastal construction permits
- Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management County conservation lands, water quality, permits
Wildlife & Environment
Highland Beach's coastal location on the Atlantic flyway makes it a hotspot for migratory birds, sea turtles, manatees, and dolphins. The adjacent Intracoastal Waterway and nearshore reef system support diverse marine life year-round. These statewide and regional organizations support the wildlife that calls this coast home.
- Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission State wildlife agency — reporting, permits, species info
- Great Florida Birding Trail Atlantic coast birding hotspots — includes Intracoastal corridor
- Save the Manatee Club Manatee conservation, adopt-a-manatee, reporting
- Audubon Florida Bird conservation & coastal habitat protection statewide
- REEF — Reef Environmental Education Foundation Marine life surveys, invasive species monitoring (lionfish)
- WeatherStem Palm Beach County Real-time environmental data — wind, UV, temperature, tide
Recreation & Culture
Highland Beach sits at the center of one of South Florida's richest cultural corridors. World-class cultural institutions, scenic parks, and recreational options in neighboring Boca Raton and Delray Beach are minutes away — giving Highland Beach residents easy access to arts, nature, and outdoor activity.
- Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens World-class Japanese gardens & cultural museum — Delray Beach
- Gumbo Limbo Nature Center Marine nature center, aquarium tanks, sea turtle tours — Boca Raton
- Arts Garage Live music, theater & visual arts — Delray Beach
- Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation County parks, boat ramps, preserves, programs
- Boca Raton Museum of Art Fine art museum with rotating exhibitions — downtown Boca
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) Nearest major airport — 25 minutes north via I-95
Highland Beach FAQ
Who governs Highland Beach, Florida?
Highland Beach is governed by a five-member Town Commission elected at-large and a professional Town Manager. The town's official website is highlandbeach.us. Located on A1A between Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Highland Beach covers approximately 1.7 square miles with a full-time population of roughly 4,000 residents — swelling significantly during the winter season.
Does Highland Beach have its own fire department?
Yes. As of May 2024, Highland Beach established its own independent Fire Rescue Department, ending a previous service contract with Delray Beach Fire Rescue. The Highland Beach Fire Rescue Department provides fire suppression and emergency medical services to town residents and the adjacent area. For emergencies always call 911; non-emergency department contact is available at highlandbeach.us/departments/fire-rescue/.
Does Highland Beach have a public library?
Yes — Highland Beach Town Library maintains a collection of approximately 20,198 volumes along with digital resources and community programming. Located at 3618 S. Ocean Blvd., the library is a valued community asset for both full-time residents and seasonal visitors. Visit highlandbeach.us/departments/library/ for current hours and library card information.
Where can I report an injured sea turtle near Highland Beach?
To report an injured or stranded sea turtle near Highland Beach, call the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922). The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton also operates a sea turtle rehabilitation program and accepts reports from South Palm Beach County. Never approach, touch, or use lights near nesting turtles or hatchlings — sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
What natural resources does Highland Beach protect?
Highland Beach's Natural Resources Preservation Advisory Board (NRPAB) advises the Town Commission on coastal environmental matters including beach renourishment planning, dune vegetation management, sea turtle nesting ordinances (lighting restrictions March–October), and Intracoastal Waterway water quality. The town's 2.9-mile coastline is an important nesting corridor for loggerhead, green, and leatherback sea turtles.
Explore More Highland Beach
Live beach cams, interactive maps, and guides for Highland Beach and the surrounding South Palm Beach County area.