Pinellas County, FL Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code § 22-301(5)
- Who's responsible
- occupant or multi-unit owner
- Scope
- countywide, unless city has own code
- Max fine
- $500 per Sec. 1-8
Summary
Pinellas County's Housing Code makes occupants of single-family dwellings and owners of multi-unit buildings responsible for exterminating rodents and other pests, and the standard applies countywide unless a city has adopted its own housing code.
Extermination. Every occupant of a single-dwelling building and every owner of a building containing two or more dwelling units shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests within the building or premises.(6)Use and operation of supplied plumbing fixtures. Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall keep all plumbing fixtures in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use and operation thereof. (Ord. No. 92-65, § 2(306), 10-27-92; Ord. No. 96-12, § 2, 1-16-96; Ord. No. 97-102, § 1, 12-9-97)
Secs. 22-302—22-310. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 124).
Full Breakdown
Section 22-301(5) of the Minimum Housing Code's sanitation standards places extermination duty on whoever controls the space: occupants of single-dwelling buildings, and owners where a building holds two or more units. It covers insects, rodents and other pests found within the structure or on the surrounding premises, not just inside a leased unit. The article's 'areas embraced' clause, Sec. 22-262, extends this housing code to incorporated and unincorporated Pinellas County alike, except where a municipality has adopted its own housing code, in which case the municipal ordinance controls instead.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Housing Code is punishable under the county's general penalty, Sec. 1-8: a fine up to $500, with each day a violation continues counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the rodent extermination duty apply inside city limits too?
Who has to pay for pest extermination in a rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pinellas County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pinellas County to another location·View the Florida public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.