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Eviction in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater), Florida

Where eviction cases are filed in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)

Eviction court
County Court in and for Pinellas County (6th Judicial Circuit) — Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Civil Court — County Court (civil) Court page
Filing fee
$185 removal of tenant (eviction only); $300 eviction with damages $2,500–$15,000; $400 with damages over $15,000; $10 per summons; $90 sheriff fee for writ of possession; sheriff summons service $40 Pinellas Clerk, Fee Schedule
Notice before filing (state law)
3-day written notice to pay or vacate, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and court-observed legal holidays, substantially in the statutory form. Florida rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,977/month HUD
Renter households
130,561 (30% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22

Where eviction cases are filed in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)

Eviction cases in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater) are heard by the County Court in and for Pinellas County (6th Judicial Circuit) — Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Civil Court (County Court (civil)).

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

Hearing search: https://www.mypinellasclerk.gov/View-Records/Court-Records/Hearing-Search. Self-represented parties must designate an email address for service (Fla. Sup. Ct. Order 21-990).

How much it costs to file an eviction in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)

$185 removal of tenant (eviction only); $300 eviction with damages $2,500–$15,000; $400 with damages over $15,000; $10 per summons; $90 sheriff fee for writ of possession; sheriff summons service $40

Sheriff service fee per Fla. Stat. § 30.231(1)(a): http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0030/Sections/0030.231.html

Source: Pinellas Clerk, Fee Schedule

How eviction cases work locally

Eviction diversion / mediationThe Clerk's Civil Court page still describes the Pinellas Eviction Diversion Program, run by the Community Law Program: free virtual mediation with a neutral mediator, free legal help, help applying for rental assistance and help finding new housing, open to tenants and landlords whether or not a case has been filed; both sides must agree to mediate. That description dates from the COVID-19 period and gives the number 727-582-7475. The program's own web address now forwards to the Community Law Program homepage, which no longer describes the program, so it may no longer be operating. Pinellas residents can contact the Community Law Program at 727-582-7480 or the Legal Aid Hotline at 1-800-625-2257.
Source: Official source

The Florida eviction process

Florida state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater):

  1. 3-day notice to pay or vacate (nonpayment) or 7-day notice (lease violations) or 30-day notice (month-to-month)
  2. Landlord files complaint for possession in county court; tenant served with summons
  3. Tenant files a written answer within 5 days after service and, for any defense other than payment, deposits the alleged rent into the court registry
  4. If tenant fails to answer or deposit rent, default judgment and immediate writ of possession; otherwise hearing
  5. Judgment for possession; clerk issues writ of possession
  6. Sheriff posts 24-hour notice (weekends/holidays do not extend it), then puts landlord in possession; landlord may remove property to the property line

Full Florida eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,593
1 bedroom$1,696
2 bedrooms$1,977
3 bedrooms$2,527
4 bedrooms$3,077

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater): $1,642/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

HUD designates this area for Small Area FMRs: Housing Choice Voucher programs here use ZIP-code-level FMRs; the figures shown are the metro-wide FMRs HUD lists for other programs.

County tenant ordinance

Florida Statutes § 83.425 (ch. 2023-314, Laws of Fla.) preempts to the state the regulation of residential tenancies and the landlord-tenant relationship, so county landlord-tenant ordinances do not apply.

Eviction help in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)

Free legal help

Other Florida counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)?
Eviction cases in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater) are filed with the County Court in and for Pinellas County (6th Judicial Circuit) — Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, Civil Court.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)?
$185 removal of tenant (eviction only); $300 eviction with damages $2,500–$15,000; $400 with damages over $15,000; $10 per summons; $90 sheriff fee for writ of possession; sheriff summons service $40.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)?
Gulfcoast Legal Services; Community Law Program.
What is the fair market rent in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,977 per month (1-bedroom: $1,696).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.