St. Petersburg, FL Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)

St. Petersburg allows homeowners to convert an existing garage into living space, but only if the result reads as a deliberate addition rather than a garage with the door painted over. 2 sets the "Building and site requirements" that apply to any accessory dwelling unit, and item 7 addresses garage conversions directly: "Where an attached garage on the front façade of a structure is converted to an accessory dwelling unit," the code requires (a) removing the garage door and building an enclosure "architecturally compatible with the style of the building including finishes and color scheme" that meets the zoning district's building design criteria; (b) a 3-foot-wide green (landscaped) yard between the new exterior wall and any pavement left from the old driveway; and (c) keeping all required on-site parking spaces on the property, since the conversion can't be used to shed parking obligations.

5, carries the identical three requirements, garage door removal, 3-foot green yard, and retained on-site parking, confirming the city applies the same design floor whether the converted space becomes a full ADU or a dependent living space. Beyond these conversion-specific rules, converted garages must still meet the general ADU standards: an 800-square-foot gross floor area cap, the district's architectural finishes, roof pitch and paint-scheme compatibility, and the applicable side-yard setback. A building permit and Planning & Development Services Department (POD) plan review are required before work begins, since the conversion adds habitable floor area subject to the Florida Building Code.