Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Pinellas County, FL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Flat roof measured to
roof surface
Pitched roof measured to
peak/eave midpoint
Chimney/tower allowance
+20 feet above limit
Parapet wall allowance
+4 feet above limit

Summary

Pinellas County measures building height from average existing grade, and lets chimneys, towers and flagpoles rise up to 20 feet above the zoning district's height limit.

City-specific rules exist: St. Petersburg has its own structure height limits rules that differ from Pinellas County's county-level regulations. If you live in St. Petersburg, check the city-specific page instead.

(b)Chimneys, water, fire, radio and television towers, smokestacks, flagpoles and similar structures and their necessary mechanical appurtenances, such as elevator shafts, ventilation equipment, etc., may be erected to a maximum of 20 feet above the height limits established in this chapter;(c)Parapet walls constructed on buildings with flat roofs shall be permitted to extend not higher than four feet over the maximum height specified for the zoning district in which the building is located. Portions of the parapet walls, fences, or other building elements that are intended to screen mechanical equipment or similar features shall be exempt from height limits to the extent that they provide screening.(d)The heights of these structures or appurtenances thereto shall in no case exceed the height limitations prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration within the flight approach zone patterns of airports. Approval by the Federal Aviation Administration of such structure heights shall be required when structures are located within the flight approach zones of airports (see airport zoning regulations).(e)These standards shall not apply to signs, billboards or amateur radio antennas protected under F.S. ch. 125. (Ord. No. 18-36, § 3(Att. B), 10-23-18)

Source: Pinellas County Code of OrdinancesView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 124).

Full Breakdown

County Code § 138-3501 sets how building height is measured in unincorporated Pinellas County: from the mean existing grade to the roof surface on flat roofs, or to the midpoint between peak and eave on pitched roofs, with base flood elevation substituted in flood hazard areas. The base height limit itself comes from the zoning district's dimensional table, but chimneys, towers, flagpoles and similar mechanical appurtenances may rise up to 20 feet above that limit, and flat-roof parapet walls may extend up to four feet above the district's maximum height. Structures must still clear FAA height limits within airport flight approach zones.

Violations & Fines

Building over the district height limit, or exceeding the 20-foot appurtenance or four-foot parapet allowances, is a building/zoning code violation subject to Code Enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is building height measured in unincorporated Pinellas County?
From the average existing grade to the roof surface (flat roof) or peak/eave midpoint (pitched roof), per § 138-3501(a).
Can a chimney exceed my zoning district's height limit?
Yes, chimneys, towers and similar appurtenances may rise up to 20 feet above the limit under § 138-3501(b).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pinellas County

All Pinellas County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pinellas County to another location·View the Florida building setbacks & zoning overview

Get notified when Structure Height Limits in Pinellas County, FL changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

Structure Height Limits in Cities Across Pinellas County