Power can go out for days after a tropical system, and that risk is part of coastal living in Highland Beach. If you want your home to stay comfortable and protected, a whole‑home standby generator can deliver seamless power when the grid fails. In this guide, you’ll learn how to plan the right system for your property, from local setbacks and permits to fuel choices, flood elevation, costs, and maintenance. Let’s dive in.
Why Highland Beach homes add generators
Highland Beach sits on a barrier island where hurricanes and tropical storms can trigger widespread outages. Past South Florida storms produced extensive disruptions across Palm Beach County, which is why many homeowners plan for standby power. Hurricane Wilma’s impacts in Florida are a clear example of how long restoration can take.
Standby systems use an automatic transfer switch to sense an outage and power your home’s circuits within seconds. That smooth transition is a key advantage over portable units that require manual setup, especially if you rely on refrigeration, air conditioning, or medical devices. For an overview of how whole‑home systems work and typical price ranges, see this buyer‑oriented guide to standby generator costs.
Permits, setbacks, and HOA approvals
Before you request quotes, confirm what your property allows and what the town requires.
- Setbacks: Highland Beach limits how close permanently installed generators can sit to property lines. The code specifies a minimum 7‑foot setback for generators, with similar language for buried propane tank fill components. Review the town’s zoning text for details in the Highland Beach code excerpt.
- Permits and inspections: Expect electrical permits for the generator and automatic transfer switch, and gas or plumbing permits for fuel lines and tanks. Local records show installations are reviewed and inspected before final sign‑off. See a typical permit record example in Palm Beach County area data on permit categories and inspections.
- HOA or condo approvals: Many communities require architectural review for exterior equipment. Florida’s Chapter 720 governs HOA procedures. Check your CC&Rs and secure written approval when required. You can review the statute here: Florida Chapter 720 for HOAs.
Size and fuel: how to choose
Right‑sizing starts with a load calculation. Your electrician will list essential and non‑essential loads, account for motor starting currents, and recommend a generator and ATS rating. Typical whole‑home systems for larger single‑family residences often land in the 17–30 kW range, but the exact size depends on your home’s layout, HVAC tonnage, and selected circuits, as outlined in this whole‑house generator cost and planning guide.
Fuel options that fit coastal properties include natural gas and propane. Natural gas offers a continuous supply if your meter and line can support the demand, while propane provides on‑site reserves if pipeline service is not available. Diesel is common in commercial settings and is less typical for single‑family homes. Battery and solar systems can support essential loads, but they usually require careful planning to cover multi‑day hurricane recovery periods.
Transfer switches and the utility
A listed automatic transfer switch is required to prevent back‑feeding into the grid. Your installer should coordinate with your utility and follow interconnection rules. Florida Power & Light publishes service standards that apply to transfer devices and interconnections. Review the FPL Electric Service Standards and ensure your contractor uses listed equipment and proper wiring methods.
Flood and wind: coastal planning essentials
Highland Beach properties often fall within mapped flood zones. Generators, transfer switches, and related panels should be located above the regulatory flood elevation whenever practicable to reduce damage and safety risks. FEMA’s guidance recommends elevating these systems and checking the current Flood Insurance Rate Map for your parcel. Start with FEMA’s P‑348 guidance on protecting utilities from flood damage.
Coastal exposure also means you should specify corrosion‑resistant fasteners, robust anchoring, and weather‑resistant housings. Your installer may recommend an elevated platform to address both wind and flood considerations.
Safety, testing, and neighborhood impacts
- Carbon monoxide safety: Exhaust must be routed safely and kept well away from doors, windows, and vents. Install CO alarms and follow manufacturer siting instructions. The risk is real and documented in national reporting on generator CO incidents, including this overview from ProPublica on CO hazards from generators.
- Codes and inspections: Installations must comply with the National Electrical Code, plus fire code standards for emergency power and LP‑gas systems. Expect fire‑marshal and building inspections to verify compliance.
- Maintenance: Follow your manufacturer’s schedule for self‑tests and service. Many air‑cooled standby units call for routine oil and filter changes on calendar or hour intervals. For a brand‑specific reference, see this maintenance walkthrough from Generac Support.
- Noise and screening: Town rules address setbacks and often require screening to reduce impacts from equipment. Discuss routine test timing, muffling, and landscape screening with your installer to be considerate of neighbors.
Costs, timelines, and contractor selection
- What drives cost: Generator size, ATS and panel work, a concrete pad, fuel systems and trenching, permits, and inspections. For a national snapshot of typical ranges and cost components, review this standby generator cost guide. Coastal sites with buried tanks or complex routing can be higher.
- Timeline: Plan for site assessment and load calculations, permitting and plan review, civil work for pads and tanks, electrical and fuel installation, then inspections. Local activity and storm season can stretch schedules. For a sense of real‑world project pacing, see local contractor histories like this installer’s record of projects.
- Choosing your installer: Use licensed electricians and licensed fuel contractors. Ask for local references and permit numbers, confirm who handles submittals and inspections, and request an itemized proposal with a clear schedule. Coastal experience with flood elevation and corrosion‑resistant details is a plus.
A quick Highland Beach checklist
- Verify natural gas availability and meter capacity, or request propane tank options and setbacks.
- Confirm the 7‑foot setback for generators and submit for town permits. Reference the Highland Beach code excerpt.
- Check HOA or condo architectural rules and secure written approval if required. See Florida Chapter 720.
- Get a formal load calculation and written scope with the proposed kW and ATS rating.
- Elevate the generator and transfer equipment above the local flood protection elevation when practicable. See FEMA P‑348.
- Agree on maintenance, testing cadence, and CO alarm placement before storm season. Review manufacturer maintenance guidance.
Ready to plan a generator as part of a smart, storm‑ready property strategy in Highland Beach? For advice on how resilient features support value and marketability in the Palm Beaches, connect with Tanya Ajay.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to install a whole‑home generator in Highland Beach?
- Yes. Expect electrical permits for the generator and transfer switch and gas or plumbing permits for fuel systems, followed by inspections before final sign‑off. Local records show these categories on recent projects.
How close can I place a generator to my property line in Highland Beach?
- The town code requires a minimum 7‑foot setback for permanently installed generators, with similar spacing rules for buried propane tank fill components.
What size generator is typical for a larger single‑family home?
- Many whole‑home systems for larger residences fall in the 17–30 kW range, but sizing must follow a formal load calculation that accounts for HVAC starting loads and selected circuits.
Which fuel is better in Highland Beach, natural gas or propane?
- If a natural gas line with adequate capacity serves your home, it offers continuous supply without refueling. If not, a properly permitted propane tank provides on‑site reserves. Your installer will size gas lines or tank capacity to match the generator.
How do flood zones affect where I can install the generator?
- In mapped flood areas, place the generator, transfer switch, and related electrical gear above the regulatory flood elevation when practicable to reduce damage risk and maintain life safety during a storm event.
