Accessory Dwelling Units
CREATING MORE HOUSING
The City of St. Petersburg Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program allows owner-occupants to create a separate rental unit within their home, as an addition to their home, or in a separate building on their property. They can create smaller, independent units, known as Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) which can be rented if desired.
Eligibility
In July 2022, the City expanded eligibility to build an ADU into more neighborhoods throughout the City. To verify if an ADU is allowed on your property, please email your request for verification to DevRev@stpete.org and include your address, or you can look up your zoning district by entering your address:
- If your zoning is “NT”, your lot must be at least 4,500 square feet in area.
- If your zoning is “NS”, your lot must be at least 10,000 square feet in area or be located on an alley or be located on a corner. For corner lots, please also email us to verify that your property qualifies.
Designing Your ADU
There are many ways to design and build your ADU. Since an Accessory Dwelling Unit is classified as an independent unit, it must be permitted and inspected as such. A unit must comply with all building and zoning codes. Below are some important code and other design considerations for ADUs:
- a full unit, which includes a bathroom and kitchen and may include a separate utility and electric meters and mailing address if desired
- two means of egress, which are ways for people to exit the building
- provision of an extra parking space on the property
- addition or new detached structure must match the architectural style of the existing home
- maximum unit size is 800 square feet or 67% of the existing home, whichever is less
How to Apply for an ADU Permit
Building and Zoning Code Requirements
Complete a Building Permit Application
Support for St. Pete Homeowners
Details and potential eligibility below:
- Own a home in St. Pete and live in that same home
- Plan to build your ADU as an addition to your home, convert part of the existing home into an ADU, or
- Plan to build your ADU on your property
- Work with a contractor to permit the ADU through the City
- If your property is in the South Side Community Redevelopment Area, and you meet certain income limits
More Information about the Rebates for Affordable Residential Rehabs Program
More Information about the Affordable Residential Property Improvement Grant Program
Frequently Asked Questions
If your property is located in the City of St. Petersburg, please email DevRev@stpete.org and include your address, and our team will verify whether your parcel qualifies, or you can look up your zoning district by entering your address:
- If your zoning is “NT”, your lot must be at least 4,500 square feet in area.
- If your zoning is “NS”, your lot must be at least 10,000 square feet in area or be located on an alley or be located on a corner.
- You can also research on your own using the resources identified below.
No, an ADU can be connected to the principal structure, or it can be located within a separate, detached structure.
Yes, separate meters and addresses are allowed for ADUs.
No. In residential districts, you must rent for a minimum period of 30-days or more. Rentals for less than 30-days are allowed only 3 times within any consecutive 365-day period.
Maybe, if you live in an area governed by an HOA, you will need to confirm compliance with their rules and regulations.
Yes. The ADU must meet architectural design requirements, such as having similar materials, windows, roof, and doors of the principal structure. Engineered plans with energy calculations and a scaled survey or site plan will be required for the permit.
Yes, gutters, rain leaders, and an underdrain system will typically be required to drain stormwater away from the structure to the street and not onto your neighbor’s property.
Yes, new buildings must be elevated, and remodeling is limited to 49% of the value of the home. For more info, please email your questions to Floodplain@stpete.org. To determine if a property is in a flood zone, use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center.
Yes, for all new structures, Architectural or Engineered plans with energy calculations and a site plan or survey will be required for the permit. For remodel of an existing structure, please contact our office. For more info, please read the Residential Plan Review Checklist.
Yes. Plans are submitted through the City’s ePlan permitting system. For more info, please link to the Building Permits webpage or email your questions to eplanreview@stpete.org. You may also call (727) 893-7230 or visit the Planning and Development Services Department during operating hours.
For an 800-square-foot ADU with one bathroom, the fees are approximately $1,020. This includes a flat $187.50 permit fee + $4.81 for Florida State Surcharge; sewer impact fee of $350 for one (1) water closet; Multi-modal Impact Fee (District 11) of $419 (assumes no credits); and Certificate of Occupancy fee of $56.25 + $1.28 for Florida State Surcharge.
Plans are reviewed within 3-5 business days.
Yes, if your property is in the South Side Community Redevelopment Area, and you meet certain income limits. The Affordable Residential Property Improvement Grant Program allows for renovations to accessory dwelling units or the conversion of existing structures to ADUs. This program is a reimbursable grant for up to 40% of the pre-construction value of eligible improvements. The program is available to homeowners whose income is less than 120% of the area median income (AMI). If the property is rented, the tenant's household income is limited to 120% AMI.