Rent Control: Clearwater vs St. Petersburg
How do rent control rules compare between Clearwater, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
St. Petersburg has fewer restrictions than Clearwater.
Clearwater, FL
Pinellas County
Clearwater has no rent control. Florida Statute 166.043 and Section 83.425 preempt local rent regulation except in narrowly defined housing emergencies that must be voter-approved.
View full Clearwater rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg has no rent control ordinance. Florida preempts all local rent control under Fla. Stat. Sec. 125.0103, and the 2023 Live Local Act (SB 102) eliminated the housing-emergency exception. HB 1417 (Fla. Stat. Sec. 166.0444) further preempted local tenant-protection ordinances. St. Petersburg cannot adopt rent stabilization, rent caps, or any local limit on rent increases. Landlords set rent and increases by lease contract subject only to state notice rules.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Clearwater | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| State Preemption | - | Fla. Stat. Sec. 125.0103 + Sec. 166.0444 |
| Live Local Act | - | SB 102 (2023) bans local rent control |
| St. Petersburg Authority | - | None — cannot adopt rent control |
| Notice for Rent Increases | - | Per lease; 30 days for month-to-month |
| Rent Caps | - | No state or local cap |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Clearwater FAQ
St. Petersburg FAQ
Does St. Petersburg have rent control?
No. Florida Statute Sec. 125.0103 and the 2023 Live Local Act preempt all local rent control. St. Petersburg cannot adopt rent stabilization or caps.
Can St. Petersburg limit rent increases?
No. State law preempts local rent regulation. Landlords may raise rent at renewal by any amount with proper notice.
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