St. Pete Beach adopts ordinance adding 40‑ft setback where feasible, keeps negotiation path for small wireless facilities

Summary

The city commission approved Ordinance 2026‑03 with a 4‑1 vote, substituting a 40‑foot recommended setback where technically feasible and adding negotiated relief language; a proposed 500‑foot minimum separation was added as a caveated subsection and flagged by the city attorney as likely preempted by state law.

The St. Pete Beach City Commission voted 4‑1 on March 9 to adopt revisions to the city code governing communication facilities in the right of way, replacing a staff‑recommended 30‑foot recommended setback with a 40‑foot recommended setback where technically feasible and keeping a negotiation period for applicants seeking relief.

The ordinance (2026‑03) amends Chapter 132, adopting staff language on driveway and fire‑hydrant clearances and adding the residents’ suggested language as a new subsection. Commissioners also asked staff to include a caveated reference to a 500‑foot separation “where possible and technically feasible without limiting communication services,” language the city attorney said could be severed if struck in litigation.

Why it matters: the change is meant to reduce visual and safety impacts of wireless facilities installed on poles in residential areas while preserving the city’s ability…

St. Pete Beach adopts ordinance adding 40‑ft setback where feasible, keeps negotiation path for small wireless facilities

Summary

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