Environmental Rules in Pinellas County, FL (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Pinellas County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In unincorporated Pinellas County, dumping anything but rainwater into the storm sewer system or receiving waters is illegal under Code § 58-244(a). The rule bars chemicals, sewage, construction debris and yard waste from storm drains, though car washing, pool backwash and irrigation runoff are specifically exempted, and violators face fines plus civil penalties up to $10,000 a day.
Pinellas County Stormwater Discharge Ban
Significant RestrictionsPinellas County Code § 58-244(a)
General prohibitions. Except as set forth under subsection (c) of this section or in accordance with a valid NPDES permit, any discharge to the separate storm sewer system or to any receiving waters of the county that is not composed entirely of storm water is prohibited.
Flood Zones
Chapter 158 applies to flood hazard areas across unincorporated Pinellas County and county-jurisdiction property elsewhere, based on FEMA's August 24, 2021 flood insurance study and maps. Any development in a flood hazard area not covered by the Florida Building Code, including fill placed for anything other than minor landscaping, needs a floodplain development permit from the floodplain administrator before work starts.
Pinellas County Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsPinellas County Code of Ordinances § 158-22; § 158-62
This chapter shall apply to flood hazard areas established in section 158-23 within the following areas: (1)All areas within the unincorporated area of Pinellas County;(2)Property, easements, right-of-way and/or any other areas which the county has jurisdiction over outside the unincorporated areas of the county;(3)Any activities which would have an effect on floodplains within the areas descri...
Boat Dock Permits
Building any dock or other obstruction to navigation in Pinellas County's waters, from Tampa Bay to Lake Tarpon, requires a county permit under Code § 58-543(a). Docks must maintain at least 18 inches of water depth at the slip, and roofed structures, docks on open Gulf beaches, and building over the water beyond covered boat slips are all barred outright.
Pinellas County Boat Dock Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPinellas County Code § 58-543(a)
No person shall construct any dock or other obstruction to navigation within the waters of the county without having first obtained a permit for such construction from the county.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New buildings in unincorporated Pinellas County's coastal high hazard and Coastal A zones must be elevated one to two feet above base flood elevation, per the county's local Florida Building Code amendment.
Pinellas County Freeboard Above Base Flood Elevation
Some RestrictionsPinellas County Code of Ordinances, Appendix E, Florida Building Code Residential § R322.3.2
1.Buildings and structures erected within coastal high hazard areas and Coastal A Zones, shall be elevated so that the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural members supporting the lowest floor... is: 1.1Located at or above the base flood elevation plus 1 foot or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher... or 1.2Located at the base flood elevation plus 2 feet, or the design flood ele...
Environmental Rules by City in Pinellas County
4 cities in Pinellas County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Boat Dock Permits, Erosion Control
2 verified rules • Erosion Control, Stormwater Management
2 verified rules • Erosion Control, Stormwater Management
4 verified rules • Erosion Control, Flood Elevation Requirements
All Pinellas County ordinances
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