Palm Harbor Facts

Climate

Mild winters with lots of sunshine and summers tempered by the cool long breezes from the Gulf of Mexico make Palm Harbor a pleasant choice. Temperatures average 64F in winter, and about 81F in the summer. The average annual rainfall is 50 inches, with most falling in late afternoon thundershowers from June through September.

Education

To enter kindergarten, a child must be five years old on or before September 1st of the school year. To enter first grade, a child must have satisfactorily completed kindergarten and be six on or before September 1st of the school year. For enrollment, Florida schools require dated immunization records, proof of a physical exam by a licensed physician within the last 12 months, and a birth certificate. School assignments are determined by parents’ or guardians’ place of residence. For school zone information, contact the Pinellas County Pupil Assignment Department at 727-586-1818.

Palm Harbor Library

The Palm Harbor Library is a 26,000 square foot facility centrally located in Palm Harbor at 2330 Nebraska Ave., just west of US 19.

In 1978, The Palm Harbor Civic Club, under the direction of community activist Jeannette Malouf, started a library with a small collection of donated books. Palm Harbor Library, after a ten-year grass roots effort, opened its doors at its present location on July 5, 1988.
Currently, Palm Harbor Library offers 54 service hours per week, has 24 staff members, and over 150 regularly scheduled volunteers. It is completely automated with over 70 computers on site, some of which are in the “Virtual Library Room.”

Other library features include:

  • A “Teen Library Center”
  • The “Palm Harbor Literacy Council”
  • “PHiL’s Business Center”: a joint venture with the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce and Pinellas County Economic Development
  • A Community Room with a seating capacity of 250 people
  • Sunday Concerts
  • PC classes
  • Books, Videos, Audio, CD’s, DVD’s, and Online Services
  • “PHiL’s Book Club” (an eclectic group of people and books)

Government

Palm Harbor is an unincorporated community, governed by the Pinellas County Commission. The 1985 State Legislature provided a special status for Palm Harbor, protecting it from annexation by surrounding municipalities and providing a mechanism for citizens to levy by referendum special purpose taxes to fund services not provided by the county.

Palm Harbor Community Services Agency, Inc. (PHCSA) is a Florida not-for-profit corporation with a seven member board of directors and two representatives from Palm Harbor Friends of the Library, two representatives from the Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, one county-at-large position, and two from the Recreation League. This Board of Directors oversees operations, programs, maintenance of facilities of the Palm Harbor Library and Palm Harbor Recreation Department. The Board meets monthly (second Wednesday at 7pm at the Palm Harbor Library public invited). Funding for the Library & Recreation Department is in part from special-purpose taxes. As of 1998, the total millage rate levied in Palm Harbor for recreation programs was .25 mills, and .25 mills for library programs.

Fire Department

Palm Harbor Fire Rescue is a full-service emergency service organization providing fire rescue, hazardous materials fire prevention, public education, and Emergency Medical Services. The residents of Palm Harbor support fire and rescue services through an annual tax millage assessed on the value of their homes minus the homeowner’s homestead exemption. In addition to annual audits, monthly budget reports and public meetings, a system of checks and balances in in place to ensure that your tax money is where it should be. A Board of five commissioners who are elected by the public for a four-year term is responsible for the proper administration of your property tax dollar (phone number: 727-784-0454).

Fire Station Locations:

Station #65: 250 West Lake Rd., Palm Harbor, Florida 34684

Station #66: 1123 Illinois Ave., Palm Harbor, Florida 34683

Station #67: 2300 Glen Eagles Pkwy., Palm Harbor, Florida 34683

Station #68: 3007 Alternate US 19 North, Palm Harbor, Florida 34683

Housing

Palm Harbor offers a wide range of housing for singles, couples, families, and retirees. Desirable locations and diverse neighborhoods to choose from contributing to our reputation as a great place to live. There are historic homes in picture book neighborhoods, contemporary housing, single living facilities and a variety of community living options such as apartments, townhomes, condominium complexes, and senior retirement communities. All are close to shopping areas, schools, and transportation.

A number of state-of-the-art retirement homes provide excellent housing for our elderly. Our Palm Harbor Community Activity Center offers recreation, entertainment, and classes for our community members. For complete information on available properties, contact a reliable realtor listed in our membership directory.