How long does it take to build a house in Delray Beach?
As of November 2026, a new house in Delray Beach takes a median 20 months from permit to certificate of occupancy, across 388 houses permitted from 2021 through 2023. The middle half take 14 to 24 months. On the water the median is 26 months; inland, 19.
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 7 months. The block walls go up about 1 month later, the finishes start at about 13 months, and the certificate of occupancy follows about 6 months later. The longest stretch runs from the permit to the foundation: about 7 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 7 months. The gap opens after that: the finishes start at 15.6 months on the water and 12.9 inland.
The biggest houses take the longest.
Houses of 7,000 sq ft and up took a median 25.9 months, against 16.1 to 22.9 for smaller ones; 3 of those 7 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.
The fastest and slowest of the 27 builders with 5 or more finished homes in Delray Beach 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 Delray Beach with both dates on record, whatever year it was permitted.
What the slower builds have in common.
Comparisons across the same 388 houses. They show which builds ran longer, not why.
Waterfront houses took a median 25.9 months, inland ones 19.0. The difference builds up after the walls: the finishes start at 15.6 months on the water and 12.9 inland.
Houses of 7,000 sq ft and up, against 16.1 to 22.9 months for smaller ones. 3 of those 7 are on the water.
Custom houses took a median 21.6 months; likely spec houses, built to sell, 17.6. On the water that’s 28.2 against 20.6; inland, 20.4 against 17.5. 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 412 houses permitted 2021–2023, 11 are still being built and 11 have gone quiet. They can’t be timed until they finish, so the medians here lean fast.
Rising now
103 homes are rising in Delray Beach; 85 show an estimated completion window worked out from these numbers. The most are in Layton Pointe, Osceola Park and Plumosa Park.
What it costs
Estimated build cost per square foot, what lots sell for, and two houses priced out: the cost to build in Delray Beach.
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 388 houses permitted 2021–2023 with both dates on record (412 were permitted in those years). Stage dates are the first document the city recorded for each stage. Figures as of November 2026, from Delray Beach eServices and the county parcel roll. How the data works.