ADU Permits: Safety Harbor vs St. Petersburg
How do adu permits rules compare between Safety Harbor, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Safety Harbor, FL
Pinellas County
No data available yet for Safety Harbor.
St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg permits accessory dwelling units in most single-family and multi-family residential zoning districts under the Land Development Regulations (City Code Chapter 16). ADUs are subject to size, parking, owner-occupancy, and design standards, plus full Florida Building Code 8th Edition compliance. Florida HB 1031 (2024) codified at Fla. Stat. §163.31771 created a statewide ADU enabling framework that encourages — but does not preempt — local standards. Permits flow through the Construction Services and Permitting Department at the Municipal Services Center.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Safety Harbor | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Code Authority | - | City Code Ch. 16 (LDR) + FBC 8th Ed |
| Permit Office | - | Construction Services - 1 4th St N |
| Typical Size Cap | - | 750-800 sq ft / % of principal |
| Wind Load | - | 150 mph ultimate (FBC Pinellas) |
| State Law | - | Fla. Stat. §163.31771 (HB 1031, 2024) |
| Flood Review | - | City Code Ch. 8 (VE/AE zones) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Safety Harbor FAQ
No FAQs available.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Do I need a permit to build an ADU in St. Petersburg?
Yes. Any habitable accessory dwelling unit requires a building permit under the Florida Building Code 8th Edition plus zoning approval under LDR Chapter 16. Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) are filed separately. Properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas — common throughout the St. Pete peninsula — also require floodplain review under City Code Chapter 8 with an elevation certificate. File through the Construction Services and Permitting Department at the Municipal Services Center.
Did Florida pass a state ADU law that overrides St. Pete's rules?
Florida HB 1031 (2024), codified at Fla. Stat. §163.31771, created a statewide policy encouraging ADUs and directs local governments to consider permissive frameworks. It is enabling rather than fully preemptive — St. Petersburg's LDR Chapter 16 standards on size, parking, setbacks, and owner-occupancy still apply within city limits. Pinellas County unincorporated areas have their own rules that differ.
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