A Resident's Guide to Largo's Local Ordinances

Largo, Florida may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 68 tracked ordinances across 25 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Trash & Recycling

Collection Schedule: Largo requires every residential, commercial and industrial property to subscribe to city solid waste collection; no owner may haul their own trash except as the code allows. Single-family homes get automated cart service collected twice weekly under City Code Sec.

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Yard Waste Collection (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Largo for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Largo follows Southwest Florida Water Management District restrictions, currently a Modified Phase III shortage limiting irrigation to one day per week within designated overnight or evening hours, with violations carrying citations and escalating fines..

Also covered: Native Plants (permissive), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Artificial Turf (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Largo for details.

Noise Ordinances

Decibel Limits: Largo caps noise from industrial and commercial zones by table: 72 dBA for industrial and 66 dBA for commercial sources when adjoining another commercial zone, dropping to 66 and 60 dBA respectively next to a residential zone during the day, and 55 dBA at night, under City Code § 11-116..

Also covered: Construction Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Largo for details.

Environmental Rules

Erosion Control: Every construction site in Largo that breaks ground must run erosion and sediment control from day one under Code § 23-217, regardless of project size. Sites of an acre or more also need an FDEP construction generic permit before the city will issue a development order or building permit..

Also covered: Stormwater Management (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Largo for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles: Largo bans parking or storing any commercial vehicle, heavy vehicle over 11,000 pounds gross weight, or commercial construction and landscaping equipment on residentially zoned property under Section 11-78(c). The ban runs citywide on single-family, duplex, triplex and mixed residential-use land regardless of when the parking started..

Also covered: Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate), Loading Zones (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Largo for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Largo prohibits storing totes, tarps, scrap metal, dismantled appliances, machinery, furniture, building materials or discarded items outside a fully enclosed structure on any private lot. Section 11-47 makes such outdoor storage a code violation enforced through the city's nuisance-abatement process, with unresolved cases turning into a lien against the property under Section 11-49..

Special Events & Permits

Parade Permits: Largo requires a permit from the Engineering Services Division before any parade, procession or sound truck occupies a city street. Section 16-99 exempts only U.S.

Also covered: Park Event Permits (restrictive). See the full special events & permits guide for Largo for details.

Public Conduct

Public Alcohol Use: Largo makes it a violation to drink alcohol or carry an open container on any street, sidewalk, alley or other public right-of-way in the city. A second buffer bans open containers within 500 feet of stores that sell alcohol and near schools and religious institutions, with a carve-out for the West Bay Drive Downtown Entertainment District..

Also covered: Loitering Rules (moderate), Skateboarding Rules (restrictive), Public Urination (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Largo for details.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Obstruction Rules: Largo bans parking or storing any vehicle so that part of it blocks a public sidewalk, no matter the vehicle type. City Code § 11-78(f) overrides every other exception listed in the same parking section, so cleaning, loading or temporary-repair excuses do not apply once a sidewalk is obstructed..

Animal Ordinances

Pet Store Rules: Largo has barred any new pet store from opening to sell dogs or cats since September 7, 2021, grandfathering only stores already licensed and operating that day. Surviving stores must post USDA breeder licensing details and inspection records for every animal on site..

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Beekeeping (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Largo for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Adult Entertainment: Largo requires an adult use license from the community development department for adult bookstores, theaters, photographic studios, physical culture establishments and special cabarets. Adult businesses must also sit at least 300 feet from residential land, 1,000 feet from a church, school or park, and 1,500 feet from any other adult use..

Also covered: Massage Establishments (limited), Auto Repair on Residential Property (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Largo for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Building, installing, or substantially altering a residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub in Largo requires a building permit issued by the Largo Building Division before any excavation, plumbing, or electrical work begins on the property..

Also covered: Fencing & Safety Requirements (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Largo for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone work in Largo requires an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate, compliance with Florida statutes 330.41 and 934.50, and county park permission for any takeoff or landing on public land..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Largo for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy Limits: Largo Ordinance 2019-28 caps short-term rental occupancy at one guest per 150 gross square feet of air-conditioned living space, with the limit posted inside the unit and on listings..

Also covered: Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Largo for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Home cultivation of cannabis remains illegal throughout Florida, including Largo, regardless of medical marijuana cardholder status, because state law restricts production to licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers under Florida Statute 381.986..

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Largo for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Largo requires a city permit before anyone kindles a bonfire, incinerates materials, or burns rubbish anywhere in the city, and any open fire on private land must sit at least 50 feet from any structure and be constantly attended, under City Code § 13-23..

Also covered: Fireworks (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Largo for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: Largo has no rent control. Florida Statute 166.043(2) flatly prohibits local rent regulation, the 2023 Live Local Act removed the old housing-emergency exception, and Section 83.425 preempts most landlord-tenant matters to the state..

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Largo enforces a juvenile curfew that restricts minors from being in public places during late-night hours, with limited exemptions for work, emergencies, and accompanied travel..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Largo for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Largo enforces Florida Statute 501.022 requiring door-to-door solicitors selling goods or services over twenty-five dollars to obtain a Pinellas County Home Solicitation Permit before working any Largo neighborhood..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Largo for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency, Duration & Permits: Largo limits garage sales to three per tenant per year, enforced through the city's Temporary Events Permit process under the Code of Ordinances Fee Schedule. Residential garage sales carry no permit fee, but commercial and multi-family temporary events cost $75.00.

Home Business

Home Daycare: Family day care homes in Largo follow Florida Statute 402.313, which sets registration, training, screening, and inspection rules, while Section 16.5 of the CDC allows them as an accessory home occupation use..

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (permissive). See the full home business guide for Largo for details.

Water Use Rules

Recycled Water Rules: Largo splits reclaimed water irrigation into two zones under City Code § 23-93. Addresses ending in an even number or a letter A through M water Monday, Thursday and Saturday; odd numbers and N through Z water Sunday, Tuesday and Friday.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: Florida Statute 163.04 prohibits any HOA, condominium, or deed restriction in Largo from banning solar collectors or other renewable energy devices on residential property, though associations retain limited authority over panel placement within a southern orientation..

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Encampment Sanitation: Largo prohibits placing or using any tent, hut, lean-to, shack, or other temporary shelter on city property or in the public right-of-way unless a permit for that specific structure has already been issued under another section of the Code. Only handheld umbrellas and open-sided park sun or rain covers are exempt, so an unpermitted encampment structure is a Code violation the moment it goes up..

Also covered: Sit-Lie Rules (strict). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Largo for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Largo permits accessory dwelling units in certain residential districts when they comply with size, setback, owner-occupancy, and design standards established by the city's Comprehensive Development Code..

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Largo includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.