Right next to the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier, The Break House Kitchen + Beach Bar brought something the city had never had: a rooftop bar. Permit Express LLC permitted the entire project. Here is a look at the venue, at how a city-owned building affected the permitting, and at what a beachfront restaurant with a rooftop bar typically involves.
About the project
The Break House is at 202 NE 21st Ave. in Deerfield Beach, on A1A north of Hillsboro Boulevard, next to the pier and to its sister restaurant, Oceans 234. It is owned by Danielle Rosse of Oceans 234 and describes itself as a coastal kitchen and beach bar.
The venue combines three experiences under one roof: a counter-service restaurant, a grab-and-go café and the city’s first rooftop bar overlooking the Atlantic. It sits directly on the sand in a two-story, 4,283-square-foot building with seating for 138 guests, 55 on the first floor and 83 on the rooftop. The exterior features colorful three-dimensional carvings by artist Alex Yanis.
According to the owner, the building was originally built by the city more than ten years ago, and The Break House is the first time its rooftop has been put to use. The project was described as two years in the making.
Permitting in a city-owned building with an existing tenant
Because the city owns the building, it is the property owner on every permit application. Building permit applications in Broward, including the Broward County Uniform Building Permit Application, must carry the signature of the property owner or an authorized agent, and the applicant needs a lease or use agreement in place showing its right to occupy and improve the space. Until the owner can approve the application and the new operator has possession, permitting can’t fully move forward.
On this project, the city first had to remove the previous tenant before the work could proceed, and that delayed the permitting process. Once the space was available, we permitted the entire project.
[Optional: add one specific step that helped move the project forward once the space was available]
What permitting a rooftop restaurant typically involves
Activating an existing rooftop for guests is a significant change of use. In Deerfield Beach, construction permits are issued by the City of Deerfield Beach’s building department. A project like this typically involves:
- Building and structural: confirming the roof structure can carry assembly loads, guardrails, stairs and egress, accessibility (often including an elevator or lift) and occupant load for each level.
- Mechanical: kitchen hood and exhaust, make-up air and HVAC.
- Electrical: kitchen and bar equipment, rooftop lighting and outdoor power.
- Plumbing: grease interceptor, bars on more than one level, restrooms and gas piping.
- Fire: hood suppression, sprinklers, alarms and a life-safety review of exits from both floors.
- Coastal considerations: beachfront sites can involve flood zone requirements and state coastal construction rules, depending on location and scope.
- State restaurant approval: plan review from the Florida DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
Why owners use a commercial permit expediter in Broward
Since 2004, Permit Express LLC has helped contractors, designers and owners permit restaurant projects across Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade, including work for brands like The Cheesecake Factory, Wawa and Shake Shack. We keep submittals complete, track every review and coordinate responses so projects reach opening day on schedule.
Planning a restaurant or rooftop bar in Broward?
We can help you understand what your project will need before you submit. Read our frequently asked questions, then call Permit Express LLC at 954-632-0353 or contact us online. We are open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.