St. Petersburg Landlord-Tenant Rules
St. Petersburg adds local rules on top of Florida landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| State preemption | Florida law preempts the regulation of residential tenancies and the landlord-tenant relationship to the state, superseding local rules on matters covered by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (tenant screening, security deposits, application fees, lease terms, the parties' rights and duties, disclosures, landlord fees and notice requirements). Local rent control is also barred. State law (see the Florida page) governs nearly every landlord-tenant question in St. Petersburg. |
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| Former Tenants Bill of Rights | St. Petersburg adopted a Tenants Bill of Rights, with additions passed by City Council in late 2022. The City says it is no longer in effect because of HB 1417 (Fla. Stat. § 83.425), which took effect July 1, 2023 and preempts local regulation of landlord-tenant relationships. Pinellas County's Tenants Bill of Rights is likewise no longer in effect. News reports say the City's former ordinance included source-of-income protection (for example, housing vouchers); that protection ended with the rest of the Bill of Rights. County status: https://rent.pinellas.gov/tenants-bill-of-rights/. Source: Fla. Stat. § 83.425 |
| Local fair housing protected classes | The City sends housing discrimination and retaliation complaints to the Pinellas County Office of Human Rights, (727) 464-4880. Pinellas County Code Chapter 70 adds sexual orientation to the federal protected classes. Complaints must be filed within one year. Source of income and gender identity are not listed. City referral: https://www.stpete.org/residents/housing/renters_rights.php. Whether St. Petersburg has its own separate fair housing ordinance was not confirmed. Source: Pinellas County Code Ch. 70 |
| Rental registration/inspection | No rental registration or routine rental inspection program was found. Tenants can ask the Codes Compliance Assistance Department for an interior inspection of their unit, and the City's online Renter's Map shows a unit's history of interior code violations and evictions. Source: Official source |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | If a landlord does not make repairs within a reasonable time, call the Codes Compliance Assistance Department, 727-893-7373, for an inspection and ask for a copy of the violation notice. The department can also give the violation history for an address. Source: Official source |
| Eviction diversion & legal aid | The City works with the Community Law Program on eviction diversion. The Community Law Program (Pinellas Eviction Diversion Program), (727) 582-7475, offers free help to financially eligible landlords and tenants. Other free legal help listed by the City: Community Law Program, 727-582-7480; Gulfcoast Legal Services, 727-821-0726; Bay Area Legal Services, 800-625-2257. The Clerk's Self Help Center, 727-582-7941, helps people without lawyers with court forms. Pinellas Eviction Diversion Program number from https://rent.pinellas.gov/help-with-housing/. Diversion partnership from https://www.stpete.org/residents/housing/housing_opportunities_for_all.php. Reports describe it as free voluntary mediation; current terms were not confirmed on an official page. Source: Official source |
| Local rental assistance | No City of St. Petersburg emergency rental assistance program was found. Pinellas County lists the Adult Emergency Financial Assistance Program (adults without minor children, income limits apply, via 211 Tampa Bay), the Family Services Initiative (families with minor children) and 211 Tampa Bay Cares (dial 211). The St. Petersburg Housing Authority, (727) 323-3171, offers long-term subsidized housing. Source: Official source |
Eviction cases in St. Petersburg are heard in: Pinellas County Court (Sixth Judicial Circuit); filed with the Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 727-464-7000
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
No adopted right-to-counsel program was confirmed. The City says City Council is considering a Right to Counsel Program. Official source
Local agencies
- St. Petersburg Codes Compliance Assistance Department — Interior inspections, code violation complaints and violation histories. 727-893-7373.
- Pinellas County Office of Human Rights — Investigates housing discrimination and retaliation complaints under County Code Ch. 70. (727) 464-4880.
- Community Law Program (Pinellas Eviction Diversion Program) — Free legal help and eviction diversion for eligible Pinellas residents. (727) 582-7475 or 727-582-7480.
- Gulfcoast Legal Services — Free legal help with eviction for income-eligible residents. 727-821-0726.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does St. Petersburg add on top of Florida law?
State preemption: Florida law preempts the regulation of residential tenancies and the landlord-tenant relationship to the state, superseding local rules on matters covered by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (tenant screening, security deposits, application fees, lease terms, the parties' rights and duties, disclosures, landlord fees and notice requirements). Local rent control is also barred. State law (see the Florida page) governs nearly every landlord-tenant question in St. Petersburg.; Former Tenants Bill of Rights: St. Petersburg adopted a Tenants Bill of Rights, with additions passed by City Council in late 2022. The City says it is no longer in effect because of HB 1417 (Fla. Stat. § 83.425), which took effect July 1, 2023 and preempts local regulation of landlord-tenant relationships. Pinellas County's Tenants Bill of Rights is likewise no longer in effect.; Local fair housing protected classes: The City sends housing discrimination and retaliation complaints to the Pinellas County Office of Human Rights, (727) 464-4880. Pinellas County Code Chapter 70 adds sexual orientation to the federal protected classes. Complaints must be filed within one year. Source of income and gender identity are not listed.; Rental registration/inspection: No rental registration or routine rental inspection program was found. Tenants can ask the Codes Compliance Assistance Department for an interior inspection of their unit, and the City's online Renter's Map shows a unit's history of interior code violations and evictions.
← All Florida landlord-tenant rules
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.