Pinellas Park, FL ADU Rules & Requirements
If you're planning an accessory dwelling unit in Pinellas Park, the city has had specific ADU rules in its Land Development Code since June 2023. You can build an ADU on any lot of record with a single-family detached house. There isn't a separate list of qualifying zoning districts to worry about, and the maximum ADU size is 600 square feet.
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How large can your Pinellas Park ADU be?
Pinellas Park keeps the size limit straightforward. It's the same for every qualifying lot, regardless of how big your main house is.
THE RULE
600 sq ft
maximum air-conditioned living area · every qualifying lot
The rule: the ADU's air-conditioned living area can't exceed 600 square feet.
Attached or detached
You're allowed one ADU per lot, and it can be attached to the main house or built separately. A detached ADU can be as tall as 25 feet, but it needs to be at least 10 feet away from every other structure on the property. If you build it less than 10 feet from the house, the city considers it attached. That means it needs to follow the main house's building requirements, including the height limit for your zoning district.
SOURCE: City of Pinellas Park Land Development Code, Sec. 18-1530.28 (D), (F), (G) and (I).
Does Pinellas Park require a minimum lot size for an ADU?
No. The ADU rules don't specify a separate minimum lot size. What you do need is a single-family detached house on a lot of record, either already constructed or permitted. The city won't issue a permit for the ADU unless the main house meets that requirement, and the ADU can't receive final approval before the house does.
Important caveat
The city's ADU rules don't take priority over deed restrictions or homeowners' association rules that prohibit ADUs. The city doesn't enforce those private restrictions, so you'll need to review your property documents before starting a design.
The zoning district factor
Even though there isn't a separate ADU lot size requirement, your zoning district still controls the front and side setbacks. Those can vary from one property to another. In R-1, a lot platted before May 20, 1987 requires a 20 foot front yard and side yards of 10 feet on one side and 6 feet on the other. For lots platted on or after that date, the front yard requirement is 25 feet, with 10 feet on each side.
SOURCE: Land Development Code, Sec. 18-1530.28 (B) and (C) and Sec. 18-1509.4.
Where can a Pinellas Park ADU be located?
Your zoning district determines the front, corner-side and side setbacks, just like it does for the main house. The difference with an ADU is the rear setback, which has its own requirement.
Rear setback
Detached ADU: 10 feet from the rear property line.
Attached ADU: the same rear setback required by your zoning district. In R-1, that's 15 feet.
Walkway and placement
You'll also need a walkway connecting the ADU's parking space to its front entrance. The city allows concrete, pavers or stepping stones for that walkway. If the ADU is positioned between the main house and the street, the city uses the ADU to measure the yard setback.
In a flood zone
The ADU section doesn't specifically address flood zones. However, Pinellas Park's floodplain regulations cover all development within a flood hazard area, so those requirements still apply if your property is in one.
SOURCE: Land Development Code, Sec. 18-1530.28 (C) and (E) and Sec. 18-1-801.2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pinellas Park treats an ADU as a conditional use that can receive administrative approval. That means the Zoning Director can approve the application without sending it to City Council. However, if you're requesting a waiver from any ADU requirement, City Council has to review it. After zoning approval, you'll need the building permit.
Yes. Before the city issues your certificate of occupancy, you have to record a deed restriction with the Pinellas County Clerk. It states that the lot can't be divided and the ADU can't be sold separately from the main house. The city provides the form you'll need.
You'll need one additional off-street parking space beyond the spaces required for the main house. You can't use an existing required parking space for the house to meet the ADU requirement.
The ADU section doesn't say that the owner has to live on the property. However, the city provides an ADU affidavit under Florida Statute 163.31771. On that form, the owner certifies that the ADU will be rented at an affordable rate to a tenant who meets income requirements.
Thinking about an ADU in Pinellas Park?
Before settling on a floor plan, confirm your zoning district and find out when your lot was platted. Then use your survey to lay out the setbacks and check whether you've got room for a 600 square foot ADU and an additional parking space. Tampa Bay ADU handles design, permitting and construction, and we can help determine what fits on your property before you spend money on plans.
Before committing to your project, explore our ADU grants guide to learn about potential financial assistance and funding resources.