Before You Build in Clearwater, FL: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Clearwater limits residential fence height to 6 feet on side and rear property lines and 3 feet within the front building setback under Community Development Code Article 3, Division 8.

Clearwater requires a building permit before installing any fence or wall, with applications processed online through the city ePermitting system before construction begins.

Clearwater treats fences as the responsibility of the property owner who installs them, with finished side facing outward and disputes resolved as civil matters between neighbors.

Clearwater requires building permits for retaining walls and reviews engineered drawings for any wall over typical thresholds under Chapter 47 of the Community Development Code.

Clearwater enforces Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act requiring a 4-foot barrier, self-closing gates, or alternative safety features on every new residential pool before final inspection.

Above-ground pools in Clearwater capable of holding more than 24 inches of water are regulated like in-ground pools, requiring permits, setbacks, and Florida Building Code-compliant safety barriers around the pool area.

Pool owners in Clearwater must maintain at least one approved safety feature from the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, keep pools sanitary, and ensure barriers and alarms remain operable at all times to prevent drowning.

Residential swimming pools in Clearwater must be enclosed by a barrier at least four feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates, or use approved alternative safety features under Florida's Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act.

Constructing, installing, or substantially altering a residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub in Clearwater requires a building permit and inspections through the city Building Division before any work begins on the property.

Hot tubs and spas in Clearwater require building and electrical permits and must meet FS 515 barrier rules, but a locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 standards can satisfy barrier requirements in lieu of fencing.

Clearwater requires building permits and zoning review to convert a garage to living space under Article 3 of the Community Development Code, including replacement of lost off-street parking.

Clearwater allows one accessory dwelling unit per conforming residential lot under Article 3, capped at 750 square feet or 50 percent of the principal dwelling, whichever is less.

Clearwater regulates sheds as accessory structures under Community Development Code Section 3-202, requiring compliance with rear and side setbacks, height limits, and building permits in most cases.

Clearwater requires carports to have permanent, solid roof decks of approved materials under Community Development Code Article 3, with size and setback rules tied to the principal residence.

Clearwater treats tiny homes as accessory dwelling units or principal dwellings subject to Community Development Code minimums, with movable tiny homes generally prohibited on residential lots.

Clearwater follows the Florida Fire Prevention Code adopted in Chapter 17 of the city code, which permits small recreational fires but limits fuel size, requires constant adult supervision, and mandates clearance from structures and combustible materials.

Open burning of yard waste, trash, and construction debris is generally prohibited in Clearwater under Pinellas County environmental code and the city Fire Code, with narrow exceptions for permitted recreational fires and authorized agricultural burns.

Clearwater operates under Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage restrictions that limit lawn irrigation to one day per week based on address, with citations issued immediately and fines up to $500 per violation through July 2026.

Clearwater allows routine pruning of protected trees without a permit but requires work to follow ANSI A300 industry standards, since over-pruning that effectively kills or destroys a protected tree triggers the same penalties as unauthorized removal.

Clearwater requires a removal permit for any protected tree four inches DBH or greater and for palms with ten-foot clear straight trunks, with replacement plantings mandatory within 90 days and removal of specimen or historic trees prohibited.