St. Petersburg ADU Requirements: Size, Setbacks & More
Planning an accessory dwelling unit in St. Petersburg? The city has specific rules for ADU size, lot requirements, setbacks, parking, design, and occupancy. Learn what the current city code requires before you start planning your project.
What Is an ADU in St. Petersburg?
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a separate residential living space associated with a principal dwelling. In St. Petersburg, ADUs are regulated through the city's Land Development Regulations and are subject to specific requirements for size, lot area, setbacks, parking, and zoning eligibility.
The city allows ADUs in specific residential and other eligible zoning districts. Because requirements can vary by zoning district and property configuration, the rules that apply to one St. Petersburg property may not apply to another.
St. Petersburg ADU Size Requirements
Understand the two size limits that may affect your project.
800
SQ. FT.
Maximum ADU size
The ADU cannot exceed 800 square feet of gross floor area.
Source: City of St. Petersburg Code of Ordinances, §16.50.010
67%
OF THE PRINCIPAL DWELLING
Roofed Accessory Area Limit
Total roofed accessory area cannot exceed 67% of the principal dwelling's floor area.
Source: City of St. Petersburg Code of Ordinances, §16.50.010
Minimum Lot Size
NT Districts
4,500 SF
Neighborhood Traditional (NT) districts generally have smaller lot requirements. Your lot must be at least 4,500 square feet to qualify for an ADU.
NS Districts
10,000 SF
Neighborhood Suburban (NS) districts require larger lots. An ADU here requires a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet.
Setback Requirements
ADU setbacks in St. Petersburg depend on the property's underlying zoning district and lot configuration. There is not one setback that applies to every ADU in the city.
1
ZONING DISTRICT
Setbacks depend on zoning
2
NS DISTRICTS
10 FT Side setback 7.5 FT when abutting an alley
3
YOUR PROPERTY
Verify the applicable standards
3 Key Rules
Owner Occupancy
The property owner is not required to live on site in either the principal dwelling or the ADU.
ADUs Per Lot
Only one Accessory Dwelling Unit is permitted per single-family lot.
Short-Term Rentals
ADUs cannot be used for short-term rentals (less than 30 days) like Airbnb or VRBO.
Parking Requirements
Off-street parking requirements for an ADU depend on the number of bedrooms in the unit.
UP TO 2 BEDROOMS
1
Off-Street Space
3 BEDROOMS
1.5
Off-Street Space
4 BEDROOMS
2
Off-Street Space
Parking requirements may vary depending on the property's zoning and applicable city regulations.
Source: City of St. Petersburg Code of Ordinances, §16.40.090.3.2 View official code
Frequently Asked Questions
Detached ADUs may be permitted depending on the property's zoning district and applicable site requirements. Your lot configuration, setbacks, existing structures, and zoning classification all need to be reviewed before determining whether a detached ADU can fit.
Garage-to-ADU conversions are subject to additional city requirements. The conversion may affect requirements for parking, site layout, and the treatment of the existing garage structure.
St. Petersburg's ADU regulations address accessory dwelling units associated with a principal dwelling. Whether an attached or detached design works for a specific property depends on the applicable zoning and development standards.
No. The principal dwelling must exist before the ADU can be established.
Yes. ADU requirements are set locally, so rules can vary significantly between Tampa Bay cities. For example, owner-occupancy requirements and lot or setback standards may differ between St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Dunedin, and Largo.
Ready to start your ADU project?
Get a free site assessment to verify your property's eligibility and receive a preliminary project estimate.