Unincorporated Pinellas County fence permit
Do you need a fence permit in the Unincorporated Pinellas County? Not confirmed. Contact Unincorporated Pinellas County before you build; the rules below are what we found in the ordinance.
buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for Unincorporated Pinellas County (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes. Start with your address.
Quick facts
- Permit required
- Not confirmed source
- Side and rear yards
- 6 ft (decorative up to 8 ft along secondary arterial and collector roads) source
- Front (street) yard
- 3 ft for any style in the front setback; decorative fences 4 ft (up to 5 ft total with semi-opaque toppers). Rural R-A, R-E, R-R: split rail up to 6 ft, at least 50% transparent source
- Corner lots
- No fence or wall within 15 ft of the intersection of the right-of-way lines; sight triangle rules apply source
- Not allowed
- Barbed wire and electric strands on residential property (allowed only for nonresidential security, agriculture or by special review, max 6 ft). source
- How to apply
- Online portal source
How to file for a fence permit in the Unincorporated Pinellas County
Steps based on pinellas.gov — fences properties
- Look up your address on the Pinellas County Flood Map to see if you are in a flood zone.
- In a flood zone, or building in the front setback, on a corner lot, over 6 ft, or with metal/masonry: apply through the County's Accela Public Access Portal (floodplain permit, zoning clearance or building permit as needed).
- Otherwise, a standard wood, vinyl or chain-link fence up to 6 ft generally needs no permit - stay within the height limits.
- Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging.
Who to contact
Building & Development Review Services
Pinellas County BDRS
- Phone
- 727-464-3888 option 2
- [email protected]
- Address
- Building & Development Review Services, 440 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
Contact from pinellas.gov — fences properties
Other rules to know
- Outside flood zones, standard wood, vinyl or chain-link fences up to 6 ft generally need no building permit, zoning clearance or floodplain permit - but a zoning clearance is required in the front setback or on a corner lot.
- In a Special Flood Hazard Area, a Floodplain Permit is required before installing or replacing any fence.
- A building permit is always required for fences over 6 ft, metal fences, solid or mortared masonry, columns, brick or concrete walls, seawalls, and retaining walls with more than 2 ft of unbalanced fill.
- Allowed materials: wrought iron, brick, concrete block, plastic, vinyl, chain link, or prefabricated wood products.
- Height is measured from the lowest adjacent grade to the top rail; berms count toward height.
Before you dig
Call Sunshine 811 before digging post holes (dial 811 or file online at sunshine811.com) at least two full business days ahead. Find your lot corner markers and keep the fence on your side of the line. County parcel maps can be off by several feet; if you're not sure where the line is, a licensed land surveyor can stake it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in the Unincorporated Pinellas County, FL?
Not confirmed. Contact Unincorporated Pinellas County before you build; the rules below are what we found in the ordinance.
How tall can a fence be in the Unincorporated Pinellas County?
Side and rear yards: 6 ft (decorative up to 8 ft along secondary arterial and collector roads). Front (street) yard: 3 ft for any style in the front setback; decorative fences 4 ft (up to 5 ft total with semi-opaque toppers). Rural R-A, R-E, R-R: split rail up to 6 ft, at least 50% transparent. Corner lots: No fence or wall within 15 ft of the intersection of the right-of-way lines; sight triangle rules apply.
How do I apply for a fence permit in the Unincorporated Pinellas County?
Look up your address on the Pinellas County Flood Map to see if you are in a flood zone. In a flood zone, or building in the front setback, on a corner lot, over 6 ft, or with metal/masonry: apply through the County's Accela Public Access Portal (floodplain permit, zoning clearance or building permit as needed). Otherwise, a standard wood, vinyl or chain-link fence up to 6 ft generally needs no permit - stay within the height limits. Call Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging. buildit.dog can turn a fence drawn on an aerial photo of your lot into a complete permit application package for Unincorporated Pinellas County (site plan, aerial photo and filled-in details) in a few minutes.
Who do I contact about a fence permit in the Unincorporated Pinellas County?
Building & Development Review Services, Pinellas County BDRS. Phone 727-464-3888 option 2, email [email protected].
Sources
Summarized from Unincorporated Pinellas County's own ordinances, forms and permit pages. Each link opens the original.
Work for Unincorporated Pinellas County? Help us keep this right
If anything on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. Municipal staff reports are reviewed first. Please include a link to the current ordinance, form or fee schedule if you can.