How long does it take to build a house in Boca Raton?
As of November 2026, a new house in Boca Raton takes a median 23 months from permit to certificate of occupancy, across 250 houses permitted from 2021 through 2023. The middle half take 20 to 27 months. On the water the median is 24 months; inland, 23.
Where the months go.
The city logs each inspection as the work passes it. From the permit application, the first foundation inspection comes at a median 5 months. The block walls go up about 2 months later, the finishes start at about 14 months, and the certificate of occupancy follows about 9 months later. The longest stretch runs from the finishes to the certificate of occupancy: about 9 months.
When each stage starts
Months after the permitOn the water and inland
Median months after the permit- On the water
- Inland
Both sides of the water reach the foundation at about 5 months. The gap opens after that: the finishes start at 14.4 months on the water and 13.8 inland.
The biggest houses take the longest.
Houses of 7,000 sq ft and up took a median 24.5 months, against 20.1 to 23.6 for smaller ones; 30 of those 61 are on the water.
Permit to certificate of occupancy
MonthsHome size is the tax roll’s total building area, garage and covered areas included, so it runs larger than the area under air.
The fastest and slowest builders, on the record.
All 10 builders with 5 or more finished homes in Boca Raton to time, fastest first. Each is set against homes like theirs, as on their own page: waterfront homes for builders mostly on the water, inland homes for those mostly inland, since waterfront builds run longer.
A builder’s median covers every finished home of theirs in Boca Raton with both dates on record, whatever year it was permitted.
What the slower builds have in common.
Comparisons across the same 250 houses. They show which builds ran longer, not why.
Waterfront houses took a median 23.9 months, inland ones 22.8. The difference builds up after the walls: the finishes start at 14.4 months on the water and 13.8 inland.
Houses of 7,000 sq ft and up, against 20.1 to 23.6 months for smaller ones. 30 of those 61 are on the water.
Custom houses took a median 23.2 months; likely spec houses, built to sell, 22.9. On the water that’s 24.5 against 23.5; inland, 23.0 against 22.8. What the labels mean.
From the permit application to the first foundation document, on the water and inland alike. The clock starts at the application, so this includes the city’s review of the plans: how long that review is taking now.
Of the 276 houses permitted 2021–2023, 24 are still being built and 2 have gone quiet. They can’t be timed until they finish, so the medians here lean fast.
Rising now
164 homes are rising in Boca Raton; 137 show an estimated completion window worked out from these numbers. The most are in Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, Briskel Pointe at Boca Harbour and Boca Raton Riviera.
What it costs
Estimated build cost per square foot, what lots sell for, and two houses priced out: the cost to build in Boca Raton.
Planning a build
Find a lot with a lot report for any address, check how long permits are taking, then match builders who have built where you want to, or compare cities.
How it’s measured: from the new-home permit application to the first certificate-of-occupancy packet submitted to the city, for the 250 houses permitted 2021–2023 with both dates on record (276 were permitted in those years). Stage dates are the first document the city recorded for each stage. Figures as of November 2026, from Boca eHub and the county parcel roll. How the data works.