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

LDC §14-6-5(A) requires a building permit to erect any fence or wall within Kissimmee city limits. There is no DIY exemption — permit applies to all heights and materials, including chain link replacements.

Florida has no statewide statute requiring neighbor consent or cost-sharing for fences. Kissimmee's LDC §14-6-5 requires the finished side of a fence to face away from the owner's property, meaning the neighbor sees the finished side.

LDC §14-6-5(B) limits side and rear yard fences to 6 feet. §14-6-5(C) limits front yard fences to 3 feet, except decorative open fences (under 15% opaque) can go up to 6 feet. The director may approve up to 10 feet for unique topographic conditions or screening of outdoor storage.

Sec. 9-286(c) requires private pools, spas, and hot tubs holding more than 24 inches of water to be surrounded by a 48-inch (4 ft) minimum fence with self-closing, self-latching gates. Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (F.S. Ch. 515) provides additional state-level standards.

Retaining walls in Kissimmee require a building permit under Sec. 9-115 and LDC §14-6-5(A). Front-yard retaining walls are exempt from the 3-foot front-fence height cap under §14-6-5(C)(1) but still require permit review.

LDC §14-6-17 makes swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and screened enclosures accessory structures subject to the §14-6-1 general accessory rules. Pool setbacks are measured from the water's edge. State F.S. Ch. 515 fencing requirements also apply.

Sec. 9-286(c) requires private pools, spas, and hot tubs holding more than 24 inches of water to be surrounded by a 48-inch (4 ft) minimum fence with self-closing, self-latching gates. Gates with latches under 54 inches must have the release on the pool side.

Sec. 9-286 requires pools to be maintained 'in a clean and sanitary condition, and in good repair' with motors and pumps in working condition. Stagnant unmaintained pools are public-health nuisances under Sec. 22-50 and can be drained at owner expense.

LDC §14-6-2 allows one ADU per lot (attached or detached) if the lot meets minimum zoning-district lot size. Detached ADUs require 1.5x the minimum lot size. Living area: 500-800 sq ft or 40% of the primary structure, whichever is less. The principal structure must be owner-occupied with a valid homestead exemption.

Converting a garage into livable space requires building permit review and likely triggers ADU rules under LDC §14-6-2. Off-street parking requirements under §14-7-22 must still be met after conversion — typically requiring a replacement driveway parking space.

Sheds are accessory structures governed by LDC §14-6-1. Florida Building Code exempts one-story detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft from the building permit requirement, but Kissimmee zoning rules on setback (typically 5 ft side/rear) and lot coverage still apply.

Sec. 24-52 prohibits all open burning inside Kissimmee unless authorized by permit. Yard waste burning is banned outright because city trash pickup is provided. Land-clearing burns require a permit and must meet 300–1,000 ft setbacks from buildings.

Sec. 24-54 allows campfires, fire pits, and similar small recreational fires only with a city fire department permit. Cooking fires are exempt from the permit requirement but must follow the same setback and containment rules.

LDC §14-8-4 protects any tree with a 4-inch diameter at breast height (DBH) or larger. §14-8-5 requires a tree removal permit before cutting, trimming, or removing any protected tree, including those in the city right-of-way.

Kissimmee is in the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) jurisdiction, which enforces year-round landscape irrigation restrictions. Even-address properties can water on Sundays and Thursdays; odd-address on Wednesdays and Saturdays; nonresidential on Tuesdays and Fridays — all between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. only.

Sec. 9-282(9) prohibits 'hatracking' or topping any street tree, park tree, or other tree on public or private property — defined as cutting limbs to stubs larger than 3 inches diameter within the crown, or removing more than approximately one-third of the normal canopy.