Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Fences topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pinellas Park council adopts ordinance aligning fence rules with Florida Building Code
Summary
The City Council approved Ordinance 2025-10 to amend the Land Development Code’s fence, wall and hedge regulations, making most single-family and duplex fences under 7 feet exempt from a permit but keeping higher fences and special cases subject to review.
The City of Pinellas Park City Council on March 27 adopted Ordinance 2025-10 to amend Chapter 18 of the Land Development Code governing fences, walls and hedges.
The ordinance, presented by Planning Coordinator Todd Byron, changes the city code to align fence permitting with the Florida Building Code. Byron said construction of fences on properties where single-family detached or duplex dwelling is the primary use will not need a permit when the fence is 7 feet or shorter. He told the council that “fences over 7 feet will still require a permit for a Florida building code.” The ordinance also keeps permitting requirements for fences that are part of pool enclosures or that otherwise do not meet code criteria.
The nut graf: the amendment streamlines routine fence permitting for most single-family and duplex properties while maintaining review for taller structures and circumstances that present safety or access concerns.
Council members asked no substantive questions during the hearing. The ordinance adds a requirement that fences bordering alleys, rights-of-way or easements that are not enclosed include a gate for maintenance access; it increases the allowable fence height in secondary front, side and rear yards to 7 feet for single-family detached and duplex dwellings, and allows administrative approval by the city manager or designee for heights above 7 feet. Variances for front-yard fence height will continue to be decided by the Board of Adjustment.
The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the change on Feb. 6, 2025. After the public hearing was closed, Councilor Reed moved to pass the ordinance on second and final reading; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
The ordinance becomes part of the city code and includes standard severability and appeal provisions.
Ending: The change is intended to reduce administrative review for common fence projects while retaining review authority for taller or unusual fences; property owners must still comply with other code requirements such as easement encroachment rules.
