Rental Inspections in St. Petersburg, FL

If you live in St. Petersburg or are thinking about moving there, rental inspections are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. St. Petersburg has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of rental inspections, and some of them might surprise you.

Inspection Programs

St. Petersburg no longer runs a citywide rental housing inspection program. An editor's note in the City Code confirms that Ordinance No. 362-H, § 1, adopted March 7, 2019, repealed former Article III, Division 2, Subdivision II, §§ 8-127 through 8-139, which had governed rental housing inspections since the 1992 Code.

Key details: Repealing ordinance: Ord. No. 362-H, § 1 (2019). Repealed sections: §§ 8-127 through 8-139. Original program dated: Code of 1992. Current status: Sections reserved, no active program. Remaining enforcement: Complaint-driven under §§ 8-162-8-171.

Because the standalone inspection-program sections were repealed, there is no citation available under §§ 8-127, 8-139 for failing to register or schedule a periodic inspection. Landlords remain independently exposed to enforcement under the surviving minimum-standards articles, most directly § 8-203, which makes it unlawful to let a rental unit after an uncorrected violation notice, punishable under the Code's general § 1-7 penalty of up to $500.00, 60 days in jail, or both.

St. Petersburg is more permissive than most cities when it comes to inspection programs. That said, there are still limits.

Tenant Complaint Process

St. Petersburg protects tenants who let City inspectors into a rental unit. City Code § 8-203(a)(1) bars owners from evicting, refusing to renew or otherwise retaliating against a tenant because the tenant allowed a Codes Investigator, Fire Official or POD designee to inspect the unit or common areas.

Key details: Protected act: allowing a City inspector/Fire Official into the unit. Owner may not: evict, non-renew, or discriminate for allowing access. Re-letting bar: can't re-let with uncorrected violation on file. Before re-letting vacant unit: owner must request POD inspection. Governing section: City Code § 8-203.

Retaliating against a tenant for cooperating with a City inspection, or re-letting a unit with an uncorrected Code violation, is a violation of § 8-203 subject to the Code's general penalty under § 1-7 -- a fine up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both -- and referral to the Municipal Code Enforcement Board under Chapter 9.

The Bottom Line

St. Petersburg's rental inspections 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.

Keep in mind that St. Petersburg can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.