Just Cause Eviction: Pinellas Park vs St. Petersburg
How do just cause eviction rules compare between Pinellas Park, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg have similar restriction levels.
Pinellas Park, FL
Pinellas County
Pinellas Park does not have a just-cause eviction ordinance. Florida Statute 83.425 preempts residential landlord-tenant regulation to the state, so evictions follow Chapter 83 Part II notice and court procedures.
View full Pinellas Park rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg does not have a just-cause eviction ordinance. Evictions are governed by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. Ch. 83, Part II). The 2023 Live Local Act (HB 1417, codified at Fla. Stat. Sec. 166.0444) preempted local tenant-protection ordinances exceeding state law. The city encourages safe housing and protects against retaliatory rent hikes for habitability complaints under state law. Non-payment notice is 3 days (Sec. 83.56); month-to-month termination requires 30 days (Sec. 83.57).
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Pinellas Park | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Preemption statute | FS 83.425 | - |
| Month-to-month notice | 30 days under FS 83.57 | - |
| Nonpayment notice | 3 days under FS 83.56 | - |
| Lease violation notice | 7 days cure | - |
| Local just-cause rule | Not permitted | - |
| Just Cause | - | No local just-cause eviction law |
| State Preemption | - | Fla. Stat. Sec. 166.0444 (Live Local Act) |
| Non-Payment Notice | - | 3-day written notice (Sec. 83.56) |
| Month-to-Month Notice | - | 30 days (Sec. 83.57) |
| Retaliation | - | Prohibited under Sec. 83.64 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Pinellas Park FAQ
Does Pinellas Park require a reason to evict a tenant?
No. State law preempts local just-cause rules. A landlord can decline to renew a lease without explanation and can terminate a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days written notice.
Can a landlord change the locks instead of going to court?
No. Florida Statute 83.67 prohibits self-help evictions, lockouts, and utility shutoffs. Landlords must file an eviction in county court and obtain a writ of possession before removing a tenant.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Does St. Petersburg require a reason for eviction?
No. St. Petersburg has no just-cause eviction ordinance. At lease end, a landlord may decline to renew without stating a reason.
What eviction protections do St. Petersburg renters have?
State law protects against self-help evictions (Sec. 83.67), retaliation (Sec. 83.64), and habitability violations. Eviction must proceed through Pinellas County Court.
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