St. Petersburg, Florida Zoning & Land Use Guide
Key Zoning Facts
St. Petersburg is located on the Pinellas County peninsula in Tampa Bay and had a 2020 Census population of 267,102. The city manages land use through Chapter 16 of the City Code (Land Development Regulations, or LDRs), which governs zoning districts, site planning, and design standards.
St. Petersburg uses a distinctive zoning nomenclature that reflects the character of its neighborhoods: Neighborhood Traditional (NT) districts for pre-WWII established neighborhoods and Neighborhood Suburban (NS) districts for post-WWII suburban development. The city completed a significant update of its Residential Land Development Regulations in 2024–2025 (Ordinance #611-H).
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in St. Petersburg and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the St. Petersburg Planning & Development Services Department or the official Land Development Regulations before making development decisions.
Planning & Development Services Department Contact
- Phone: (727) 893-7471
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: One 4th St N, MSC – 8th Floor, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Development Review Division Manager (Zoning): Corey Malyszka, (727) 892-5344
- Construction Services & Permitting: (727) 893-7231 (ePlan Help Desk: 727-893-7230)
- Permitting Appointments: wb-stpete.qmatic.cloud
Zoning Districts Overview
St. Petersburg's zoning districts are established in Chapter 16 of the Land Development Regulations (LDRs). The residential districts are organized into two main categories:
Neighborhood Traditional (NT) Districts — §16.20.010
NT districts protect the single-family character of pre-WWII neighborhoods. Key characteristics:
- Houses are built toward the front of lots with reduced setbacks
- Front porches and primary entrances face the street
- Vehicular access typically comes from rear alleys rather than front driveways
- Side and rear yard setbacks are minimal
- Building heights typically do not exceed 24 feet
| District | Lot Width | Character |
|---|---|---|
| NT-1 | Varies | Traditional neighborhood; garage apartments (ADUs) allowed |
| NT-2 | Varies | Pre-1930s neighborhoods; high architectural legacy, alley networks |
| NT-3 | 60–65 ft | Larger lots; greater front and side setbacks than NT-2 |
Neighborhood Suburban (NS) Districts — §16.20.020
NS districts accommodate post-WWII single-family development characterized by larger lots and automobile-oriented design.
- NS-1: Minimum lot width 75 ft; minimum lot area 5,800 sq ft
- For properties 50 ft or less in width: minimum side yard setback is 5 ft
- Minor encroachments into setbacks may be permitted for additions to align with existing structures (max 50 sq ft encroachment; minimum 4 ft from property line)
- As building height increases, minimum required setbacks increase accordingly
2024–2025 Residential LDR Update
The City of St. Petersburg completed a major update of its Residential Land Development Regulations through Ordinance #611-H. Topics addressed include:
- Residential building design standards
- NT and NS district-specific design regulations
- Residential Floor Area Ratio (FAR) limits for traditional neighborhoods
- Fencing design standards and allowable materials
- Use of artificial turf
- Parking of domestic vehicles
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Florida Statutes §163.31771 (2020) requires St. Petersburg to permit ADUs in single-family zones. ADUs such as garage apartments are expressly allowed in the NT-1 district subject to:
- Minimum lot size requirements
- Building setbacks
- Parking requirements
- Other applicable standards in Chapter 16
Contact the Planning & Development Services Department at (727) 893-7471 or [email protected] for current ADU standards across all residential districts following the 2024–2025 LDR Update.
GIS Zoning Map
The St. Petersburg GIS Zoning Map allows property-level zoning lookups: egis.stpete.org — GIS Zoning Map Lookup
Click on the parcel to get a pop-up with the zoning designation. Full zoning resources are at: stpete.org — Zoning Resources & Map
Development Process
Development in St. Petersburg generally requires:
- Zoning Verification — Use the GIS Zoning Map or contact the Planning & Development Services Department at (727) 893-7471
- Pre-Application Consultation — Recommended for significant projects; contact [email protected]
- Development Application — Submit through the Planning & Development Services Department
- Site Plan Review — Required for commercial, multi-family, and many residential projects
- Building Permit — Apply through Construction Services & Permitting at (727) 893-7231
- Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction
- Certificate of Occupancy — Obtain final approval before occupying the structure
Official Resources
- Planning & Zoning: stpete.org/planning-zoning — (727) 893-7471
- GIS Zoning Map: egis.stpete.org — Zoning Lookup
- Zoning Resources & Map: stpete.org — Zoning
- Municipal Code: library.municode.com/fl/st._petersburg
Regulatory Layers That Apply in St. Petersburg
Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.
Federal
- FEMA flood mapping: check parcel-specific flood-zone status
- View FEMA Flood Map
County — Pinellas County
- Role: County provides property records, tax assessment, and governs unincorporated areas.
City / Municipal
The municipality's zoning ordinance, building-code enforcement, and local permits form the primary local layer of land-use regulation for your property.
Overlay Districts
No overlay districts identified.
Private Restrictions
- Private covenants, deed restrictions, condominium rules, or association rules can impose requirements beyond zoning.
- HOAs are common in Florida. Check CC&Rs for additional restrictions beyond city zoning.
Primary Zoning Districts
- Max Height
- Primary building: 24 ft to beginning of roofline / 36 ft roof peak
- Max Height
- 24 ft to beginning of roofline / 36 ft roof peak
- Front Setback
- 25 ft or M
- Side Setback
- 7.5 ft or M interior / 12 ft or M street side
- Rear Setback
- 20 ft or M
ADU Rules in St. Petersburg
- Max Size
- Maximum 800 sq ft; all areas under roof may not exceed 67% of the principal dwelling unit's floor area
- Parking
- At least one parking space must be provided exclusively for the ADU unless all conditions for the code's parking waiver are met
Permit Costs & Timelines
Check Current Permit Fees & Timelines
Permit fees and review times can vary by project type, scope, valuation, and required approvals. Check the current schedule with the local permitting authority before filing.
Check current St. Petersburg permit information →Official Sources
City-specific