City Approves Air Taxi Landing Pad at CityPlace
West Palm Beach commissioners unanimously amended CityPlace rules to allow an electric air taxi vertistop on a Related Ross parking garage.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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The West Palm Beach City Commission voted unanimously to amend CityPlace development rules, permitting an electric air taxi landing pad on top of the Hibiscus parking garage. The vote followed a September recommendation for approval from the city's planning board.
Why it matters
The approval is a local step toward placing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft infrastructure within the city's urban core. It reflects a broader push by developers and aviation companies to build out eVTOL networks ahead of federal rules.
The vote was unanimous among the six commissioners plus the mayor, and the city's planning board recommended approval in September. Federal review of noise and flight plans by the Federal Aviation Administration has not yet been completed.
The players
Related Ross
A real estate development company that has pledged $10 billion to build and invest in West Palm Beach.
Archer Aviation
An electric aircraft company developing eVTOL air taxis, which partnered with Related Ross in December.
Keith James
A public official whose role in the city's approval process is referenced in the source reporting.
The details
The West Palm Beach City Commission voted unanimously to amend CityPlace development rules to permit an electric air taxi vertistop on the Hibiscus parking garage. The Sunshine State was selected earlier this year for the Federal Aviation Administration's pilot program for eVTOLs.
Timeline
September: The city's planning board recommended approval of the vertistop.
October: Related Ross's Rathlev spoke on an Urban Land Institute fall meeting panel about eVTOLs.
November 10, 2026: The city commission unanimously approved the CityPlace rule amendment.
December: Related Ross launched a partnership with Archer Aviation to build eVTOL infrastructure.
Over the next 10 years: Air taxi approvals, municipal education and mobility integration are expected.
Roadmap
The approval follows Florida's selection earlier this year for the Federal Aviation Administration's eVTOL pilot program, placing a municipal landing site ahead of the federal review. It marks an early local step as cities begin approving infrastructure for electric air taxis.
Residents and commuters near the CityPlace area may eventually see air taxi operations from the Hibiscus parking garage if federal and city reviews are completed. The approval does not itself start any flights or change current travel options.
The takeaway
Air taxi infrastructure is advancing city by city, with local zoning approvals now arriving ahead of federal flight rules. Readers should expect further federal and municipal reviews before any service begins.
What happens next
The FAA will conduct its review of noise and flight plans, after which the West Palm Beach City Commission will review the plans again.
Further reading
For broader context on the aircraft behind these plans, see Electric Vehicles coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bisnow.
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Should West Palm Beach allow air taxi landing pads in downtown neighborhoods?
