St. Petersburg's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In St. Petersburg, Florida, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

ADU Rental Restrictions

St. Petersburg bars accessory dwelling units from operating as short-term rentals: City Code § 16.50.010.4 says an ADU "shall not be utilized as a transient accommodation use," defined in § 16.90.020 as occupancy under a month offered more than three times a year, nightly and weekly platform bookings included.

Key details: ADU short-term rental: Prohibited citywide. Transient definition: Under 30 days, offered 3+ times/year. Governing section: § 16.50.010.4 (Establishment). Definition section: § 16.90.020. Long-term leasing: Still allowed.

Using an ADU as a short-term/transient rental is a City Code violation referred to the Planning & Development Services Department (POD); after a compliance notice the Code Enforcement Board or Special Magistrate can levy fines up to $250 per day the violation continues past the compliance deadline (up to $500/day for repeat violations under § 9-29), and unpaid fines become a lien against the property under § 9-29(b).

Compared to other cities, St. Petersburg takes a harder line on adu rental restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Garage Conversions

Converting a front-facing garage into an ADU or accessory living space is allowed, but City Code § 16.50.010.5.2 requires removing the garage door, building a matching architectural enclosure, keeping a 3-foot green yard where the driveway was, and preserving all required on-site parking spaces.

Key details: Garage door: Must be removed. Green yard required: 3 feet wide, at exterior wall. Parking: Must remain fully on-site. Design match: Finishes, color scheme, criteria. Applies to: ADU and accessory living space.

Garage conversions that skip the required design standards, garage door left in place, no 3-foot green yard, or parking removed without replacement, are Land Development Regulations violations enforced by the Planning & Development Services Department (POD); unresolved cases go to the Code Enforcement Board, which can fine up to $250 per day past the compliance deadline under § 9-29, plus a recordable lien.

Shed & Carport Rules

St. Petersburg allows one exempt storage shed per single-family lot: § 16.50.020.4.1 waives architectural-matching rules for sheds 100 sq ft/under 10 ft tall, or up to 200 sq ft/10 ft tall if screened and in the rear third of the lot, but anchoring, easement and Florida Building Code rules still apply.

Key details: Exempt sheds per lot: One, at single-family homes. Small-shed exemption: ≤100 sq ft, under 10 ft tall. Larger-shed exemption: ≤200 sq ft, ≤10 ft, screened, rear 1/3. Anchoring: Required to resist wind. Easements: No encroachment allowed.

An oversized, unanchored, or easement-encroaching shed is a Land Development Regulations violation the POD can cite; because §§ 16.50.020.4.1 and .020.3.2 tie accessory structures to the Florida Building Code, an unpermitted shed can also trigger a building-code case, with Code Enforcement Board fines running up to $250/day past the compliance deadline under § 9-29.

ADU Rules

St. Petersburg permits accessory dwelling units in many residential districts under Land Development Regulations Sec. 16.50.010, with size, lot, parking, and design rules expanded by Ordinance 509-H.

Key details: Code section: Sec. 16.50.010. Min lot size NT: 4,500 sq ft. Floor area cap: 40% of combined. Authorizing ord.: Ord. 509-H. Mailing address: Shared only.

Building or renting an ADU without permits, exceeding the 40 percent floor area cap, or assigning a separate mailing address can trigger code enforcement action, daily fines, stop-work orders, and required removal or modification.

The Bottom Line

St. Petersburg's accessory structures rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming St. Petersburg is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from St. Petersburg's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.