Code Enforcement Regulations

Pinellas County Code Enforcement regulates code compliance only in Pinellas County’s unincorporated neighborhoods. Code Enforcement also maintains a complaint system that provides the citizens of unincorporated Pinellas County an avenue to air their grievances or complaints about various activities within their neighborhoods.

 

For instructions on filing a complaint when living in city limits in Pinellas County, please see individual municipalities for instructions.

 

• File a Complaint on line or call (727) 464-4641.
  

  The complaint desk will answer your questions regarding code violations. Your complaint will be assigned a number and an Officer will visit the property in question. If complaint is made anonymously, there will be no call back. Note: There is up to a 30 day window from the time it is reported before an officer can visit the property.

• If the investigation verifies that a violation does exist an enforcement case will be opened. You will be able to track the case progress by referring to the complaint number whenever you call. If the complaint has left contact information, they will be notified if the complaint is valid or if it is not a violation.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the enforcement codes:

• Commercial Vehicles in Residential Areas
• Inoperative Cars and Trucks
• High Grass and Weeds - Lot Mowing
• Minimum Housing Standards
• Noise Control
• Trash & Debris
• Zoning Codes
  • Signs, Fence Regulations, Sheds and Accessory Structure

 

Other environmental codes:

• Air Quality
• Watershed Management

Commercial Vehicles in Residential Areas(Prohibited-not allowed)

Commercial vehicles are not permitted to be parked within residential areas. How the vehicle is used is not the deciding factor as to whether or not it is considered prohibited (or commercial). For example, lettering on the side of a vehicle does not make it a prohibited vehicle. Pinellas County uses the type of vehicle to categorize a vehicle as prohibited. Cars, motorcycles, RV's, passenger vans, work vans and pick-up trucks are exempt. However, if the vehicle has been equipped with attachments such as racks or utility beds the Code allows only one such pick-up truck, van or trailer per dwelling. The vehicle including its racks, cargo and equipment cannot be more than 8 ft. tall, 8 ft. wide and 21 ft. long and must not be parked on the lawn. If you have a fully enclosed and permitted garage a prohibited vehicle may be parked within it and not be a violation.

Inoperative Vehicles:

The code requires that if you own a motor vehicle in Pinellas County it must be in a condition that would allow it to be legally operated on the roads of the state. The car may be old, rusty and look terrible, but if it runs and has a current tag, it is not a violation. If the vehicle is kept inside of a completely enclosed garage its condition is irrelevant and does not constitute a violation.

High Grass and Weeds - Lot Mowing:

All developed properties (vacant or occupied) must be maintained. Properties that are deemed to be "virgin" growth due to the nature of the vegetation, or if the lot has never been cleared, may be considered exempt. Property with grasses and weeds that grow to a height of 12 inches over the majority of the lot is a violation. If a violation is found, a placard is posted on the property and at the Courthouse. A Notice of Violation is sent to the owners of the property. The owners or party responsible for the lot will have twenty days to mow the property and remove all debris. If that is not done the County contractor will mow the property and remove any trash and debris on site. If the County mows the property, the owners are billed for the charges and incur a $350.00 Administrative Fee. Failure to pay the invoice results in a lien being placed on the property for all the charges incurred.

Minimum Housing Standards:

The Housing Code applies to all structures. It sets minimum standards for dwellings and accessory structures, like sheds and pools. The Code addresses the structural and/or electrical safety of a residence as well as the things that may negatively impact neighborhood property values, such as badly peeling paint or houses in a general state of disrepair.

Noise Control:

Pinellas County uses a decibel-based noise control program that places maximum limits on noise allowed on a property. In residential areas between the hours of 7 am and 11 pm, a noise level of 72dBA (decibels) is allowed. After 11 pm, the allowable level is reduced to 55dBA. As an example, normal conversation between two people standing five feet apart would measure about 55dBA. Excessive noise from parties, people or vehicles is handled by law enforcement agencies. Normal maintenance and use of equipment such as lawn mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and flushing boat motors are all customary to everyday life and are exempted when used legitimately.

Trash & Debris:

It is illegal to accumulate or allow to be accumulated any excess trash, debris, garbage, junk, or refuse on any property in the unincorporated county. Each of these categories describes different types of items, including everything from food waste to burned out cars. Basically you cannot accumulate or collect these materials in your yard, or allow others to dump on property you own.

Zoning:

General Zoning- Zoning regulates the uses of a property. Residential zones are generally for homes and their accessory uses. Commercial and manufacturing zones are typically for business and industrial enterprises. Some of the more typical zoning violations include businesses in a residential zone (however, some home occupations may be allowed), excessive outside storage of items, and structures placed within minimum setbacks. A zoning clearance may be required for uses and structures on a property even if a permit is not. A zoning clearance ensures that a proposed use or structure is allowed in that zone and that it meets all of the code requirements.

 

Signs - This section of the zoning code addresses the size, height, location and numbers of signs on property in unincorporated Pinellas County. Allowable signage is based upon factors that include what a property is zoned, the length of road frontage, length of building frontage and the type of sign. Pinellas County Sign Code

 

Sheds and Accessory Structures - All structures must be placed on a lot so that they "set back" a specific distance from any property line. The zoning of the parcel, the size of the structure and where on the lot it is proposed, all govern placement of buildings.

 

Fences: The maximum height for a fence or wall on a residential property line is 6 feet. However, any portion of the fence that extends beyond the front building setback cannot exceed 3 feet in height.

 

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