ADUs in Pinellas County 2026: Why Your City’s Rules Aren’t What You Thought

If you’ve been putting off an ADU because “Florida might soon require every city to allow them,” that assumption no longer applies. SB 48, the bill that would have required every city and county in Florida to adopt an ADU ordinance by December 1, 2026, passed the Florida Senate 38-0 on February 4, 2026, but died in House messages on March 13, 2026, following disagreement over short-term rental provisions.

There is no statewide ADU mandate from that bill. Each Pinellas city continues to set its own requirements, and recent changes in several cities make it especially important to check the rules for your specific property.

Here’s what currently applies in the Pinellas cities where we work, based on municipal requirements and official city information rather than a generic online guide.

St. Petersburg: One of the Most Flexible Options, with a Map That Helps You Check Eligibility

St. Pete expanded ADU eligibility in 2022 and remains one of the easier Pinellas cities to navigate because the city provides specific guidance and an address-based verification tool.

• Maximum size: 800 square feet or 67% of the primary residence’s livable area, whichever is less.

• Owner occupancy: required in at least one of the two units.

• Parking: one additional space is generally required, although an exemption may apply to properties within 1/8 mile of qualifying public transportation. This is worth checking before allocating valuable yard space to parking.

• Useful tool: the city provides an ADU Map Look-Up tool and a direct contact (DevRev@stpete.org) to help confirm whether a property qualifies before design work begins.

If you're considering a St. Petersburg ADU, you can also read our guide on whether you can build an ADU in St. Petersburg for more details.

Gulfport: A New ADU Ordinance Changes the Picture

One of the most recent developments in Pinellas County is Gulfport’s new ADU ordinance. Gulfport did not have a defined ADU ordinance until 2026, when the City Council unanimously approved one on June 16, 2026, following earlier discussion and revisions related to zoning.

The rules now in effect include:

• Maximum size: 800 square feet.

• Owner occupancy: required in one of the two units.

• According to the city’s planning administrator, approximately two-thirds of Gulfport may already qualify for an ADU.

The process includes zoning review followed by building review under the Florida Building Code. Because the ordinance is relatively new, homeowners should confirm the current requirements with the city before finalizing a design or submitting plans.

If you were told a year ago that “Gulfport doesn’t allow ADUs,” that information may no longer be current.

Largo: ADUs with a Few Important Differences

Largo regulates ADUs under Section 16.14 of its Development Code, with several provisions worth knowing before starting design:

• ADUs do not count toward the maximum density of units per acre, which can be an important consideration for smaller lots.

• The city has requirements related to utility connections in addition to the standard construction documents.

• Largo also has a grant program that may provide up to $8,000 toward eligible ADU construction costs. Program requirements, eligibility, and funding availability should be confirmed directly with the city.

Mobile homes, trailers, and RVs are not permitted as ADUs; the ADU must be a permanent structure on a fixed foundation.

The ADU must also have its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area and cannot reduce the minimum parking required for the primary residence.

Kenneth City and Dunedin: Verify Before You Design

Kenneth City and Dunedin require a more direct verification approach.

Kenneth City lists “Accessory Dwelling” as a separate permit category and operates under an interlocal agreement with Pinellas County. However, we have not identified publicly available city-specific ADU standards covering items such as maximum size, setbacks, or parking that we can confidently rely on for design.

Dunedin likewise does not currently have a distinct ADU ordinance that we have been able to verify through publicly available city sources.

In both cities, the safest approach is to confirm the applicable requirements with the planning department before investing in design, rather than assuming that St. Petersburg or Largo standards automatically apply.

What This Means for Your Budget, No Matter the City

Local zoning is only part of the equation. Two additional factors can significantly affect the cost and design of an ADU anywhere in the Tampa Bay area:

• FEMA flood zone: If your property is in a flood-risk area, the ADU may have elevation and flood-resistant construction requirements that can significantly increase project costs. In some cases, elevation-related work can add tens of thousands of dollars. Check the property's flood zone before defining the project scope.

• Wind mitigation: Florida's statewide wind-resistance requirements affect elements such as roofing, structural connections, windows, and other components of the building envelope.

Understanding these requirements early can help prevent major design changes later in the process.

How We Help

At Built With Love, we help homeowners plan and build ADUs across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pasco counties. One of the biggest ways we help clients save time is by determining what their specific property can accommodate before design work gets too far along.

We coordinate with the appropriate planning and permitting departments to help confirm zoning, setbacks, size limitations, and other jurisdiction-specific requirements before moving forward with the project.

If you’re considering an ADU in St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Largo, or anywhere else in Pinellas County, learn more about our ADU building services or contact us to discuss your property.

Municipal regulations change. The information in this article reflects requirements available at the time of publication (August 2026) and is provided for general informational purposes. Always confirm the current requirements for your specific property with the appropriate planning and permitting department before beginning construction.