Bolthole Index

Pinellas County, Florida

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Seminole, Florida

The City of Seminole, Florida adopts its own zoning chapter and runs its own Building Division, so city limits do not follow Pinellas County's rules12. Residential lots fall in the RR, RE, RS and RU districts, each with its own lot size and setbacks1. Septic permits come from the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County, not the city3.

At a glance

Zoning
City of Seminole zoning (Chapter 70) with RR, RE, RS, RU and RPD districts1
Building permits
Issued by the City of Seminole Building Division; a permit is required for a utility shed24
Septic permits
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County3
Minimum lot size
2 acres in RR, 1 acre in RE, 17,424 sq ft in RS, 5,808 sq ft in RU5678
Manufactured homes
Allowed in residential districts with city manager approval and a permanent foundation9
RV living
Limited; residential RV dwelling use is restricted by city code10

Who to call

Building permits

City of Seminole Building Division

Building permit applications, plan review (including zoning review) and inspections inside Seminole city limits

727-391-0204

9199 113th Street Seminole FL 33772

Online permits →

Septic permits

Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County

Septic (onsite sewage) permitting and inspection for Pinellas County, including addresses inside cities

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Seminole means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Seminole, Florida have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The City of Seminole adopts its own zoning chapter, Chapter 70, with RR, RE, RS, RU and RPD districts1. Pinellas County's zoning applies only to unincorporated land, so inside Seminole the city's districts govern11.

Minimum lot area depends on the district: 2 acres in Residential Rural (RR)5, 1 acre in Residential Estate (RE)6, 17,424 square feet in Residential Suburban (RS)7, and 5,808 square feet in Residential Urban (RU)8.

Setbacks also differ by district. RR requires 50 feet front, 25 feet side and 25 feet rear12. RE requires 25 feet front, 15 feet side and 20 feet rear13. RS requires 25 feet front, 10 feet side and 15 feet rear14. RU requires 20 feet front, 6 feet side and 10 feet rear15.

How big and tall can you build in Seminole's residential districts?

Maximum building height is 45 feet in RR16, RE17 and RS18, and 35 feet in RU19. Article IX of the city code lists exceptions.

Building coverage is capped at 25 percent of the lot in RR20 and 50 percent in RE21 and RS22. RU limits impervious surface for a residential use to a ratio of 0.7523. RR and RE also cap the impervious surface ratio at 0.602021.

Do you need a building permit in Seminole, and who issues it?

The City of Seminole Building Division issues building permits, reviews plans and inspects work inside city limits2. Pinellas County's Building and Development Review Services covers unincorporated land, not city addresses24.

The city code names one case directly: a building permit is required for a utility shed, with a limit of two sheds per residential lot, 120 square feet of floor area and ten feet of height4. We could not confirm the city's full list of permit triggers for dwellings, additions or fences, so ask the Building Division at 727-391-0204 before you start2.

Florida's statewide building code applies in the city as it does everywhere in the state25.

Can you put a manufactured home in Seminole?

Seminole allows residential design manufactured homes in its residential districts, with conditions: approval by the city manager or designee, a main body at least 20 feet wide, a permanent foundation, a garage or carport, and a look substantially similar to nearby site-built housing9.

In flood hazard areas, the building official inspects installed or replaced manufactured homes, and the elevation of the lowest floor must be certified when the home is placed26.

Can you live in an RV or camp on your land in Seminole?

Camping on private property inside Seminole requires the property owner's permission, and sleeping in a public place is a civil-citation nuisance10. Living in an RV in a residential district is restricted by city code Sec. 39-5310. We could not confirm the details of that section, so call the Building Division at 727-391-0204 before parking an RV as housing2.

Florida's rules for RV parks and camps cover permitted parks, not RV living on your own lot27.

How do septic permits work inside Seminole?

Septic permits for Pinellas County, city addresses included, are handled by the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County, which still runs septic permitting and inspections here328. We could not confirm how Seminole's own code treats septic systems inside the city, so ask the Health Department and the Building Division.

Pinellas County allows onsite systems only where public sewer connection is not required and soils and geology support them29. County-level soil ratings back that up: the share of Pinellas County soils USDA rates not limited for a conventional drain field is30%, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system.

What stays with Pinellas County, and what should you check before buying in Seminole?

Land outside Seminole city limits belongs to the county's rules, which differ from the city's; see the Pinellas County page for unincorporated land. Septic, as above, runs through the county health department3.

Before buying, confirm the parcel's district (RR, RE, RS or RU) because lot size and setbacks depend on it1. Check flood zone status, since manufactured homes in flood hazard areas need elevation certification26. Pinellas County's median property tax bill is $31 a year31.

Watch-outs

  • Inside Seminole, city zoning chapter 70 applies, not Pinellas County's unincorporated-area zoning111.
  • We could not confirm Seminole's full building-permit triggers, owner-builder rules, fees or sewer-connection rules; ask the Building Division at 727-391-02042.
  • Utility sheds need a building permit and are limited to two per residential lot4.

Sources

  1. Seminole Code Sec. 70-2 Definitions (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Seminole Building Division (myseminole.com)
  3. Onsite Sewage Disposal and Septic Tanks, quoted and re-checked
  4. Seminole Code Sec. 70-773 Accessory structures in residential areas (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  5. Seminole Code Sec. 70-325 RR property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  6. Seminole Code Sec. 70-330 RE property development regulations (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  7. Seminole Code Sec. 70-335 RS property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  8. Seminole Code Sec. 70-385 RU property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  9. Seminole Code Sec. 70-890 Residential design manufactured homes (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  10. Seminole Code Sec. 22-22 Prohibited activity (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  11. Zoning & Land Use - Pinellas County, quoted and re-checked
  12. Seminole Code Sec. 70-325 RR property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  13. Seminole Code Sec. 70-330 RE property development regulations (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  14. Seminole Code Sec. 70-335 RS property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  15. Seminole Code Sec. 70-385 RU property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  16. Seminole Code Sec. 70-325 RR property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  17. Seminole Code Sec. 70-330 RE property development regulations (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  18. Seminole Code Sec. 70-335 RS property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  19. Seminole Code Sec. 70-385 RU property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  20. Seminole Code Sec. 70-325 RR property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  21. Seminole Code Sec. 70-330 RE property development regulations (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  22. Seminole Code Sec. 70-335 RS property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  23. Seminole Code Sec. 70-385 RU property development standards (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  24. Building Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  25. 61G20-1.001 Florida Building Code Adopted (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Seminole Code Sec. 62-355 Manufactured homes inspections (Seminole), quoted and re-checked
  27. Florida Statutes Chapter 513: Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Parks (Florida statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (pinellas.floridahealth.gov)
  29. Onsite Sewage Disposal and Septic Tanks, quoted and re-checked
  30. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Seminole

Seminole’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Utility sheds and solar energy systems inside Seminole city; general permit rules for dwellings not located

    • Only two utility sheds per residential lot; floor area max 120 sq ft; height max ten feet
    “A building permit is required for the installation of a utility shed.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Manufactured homes installed or replaced in flood hazard areas inside Seminole city

    • Upon placement, certification of the elevation of the lowest floor shall be submitted to the building official
    “The building official shall inspect manufactured homes that are installed or replaced in flood hazard areas to determine compliance with the requirements of this article and the conditions of the issued permit.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Seminole city limits; city adopts its own zoning chapter (Chapter 70 - Zoning) with RR, RE, RS, RU and RPD districts

    “The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed so as to implement its intents and purposes and for implementation of the mandates of the comprehensive plan.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential Rural (RR) district, Seminole city

    • Substandard lots see chapter 50
    • Density one-half dwelling unit per 43,560 sq ft or comprehensive plan density, whichever is less

    minimum area: >= 2 acres

    “Area: two acres. (2) Width: 90 feet. (3) Depth: 100 feet.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Residential Estate (RE) district, Seminole city

    • Except as otherwise provided in article IX

    front: >= 25 feet · side: >= 15 feet · rear: >= 20 feet

    “Front: 25 feet. (2) Side: 15 feet. (3) Rear: 20 feet.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Residential Estate (RE) district, Seminole city

    • Impervious surface ratio shall not exceed 0.60

    maximum building coverage: <= 50 percent

    “The maximum area of the lot or parcel which may be covered by vertical structures shall not exceed 50 percent. The impervious surface ratio shall not exceed 0.60.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential Estate (RE) district, Seminole city

    • Except as otherwise provided in article IX

    maximum height: <= 45 feet

    “No structure in the RE district shall exceed 45 feet except, as otherwise provided in article IX.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping inside Seminole city; sleeping in public places is a civil-citation nuisance

    • Camping on private property requires permission of the property owner
    • Overall RV dwelling use in residential districts restricted by Sec. 39-53
    “Sleeping in a public place, but does not include camping on private property with the permission of the property owner, or within a public lodging establishment.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Residential design manufactured homes in Seminole city residential districts

    • Approval by city manager or designee required
    • Minimum width of main body 20 feet
    • Permanent foundation required
    • Garage or carport required
    • Must be substantially similar to nearby site-built housing

    minimum width of main body: >= 20 feet

    “Approval for residential design manufactured homes shall be authorized by the city manager or designee.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Seminole or Pinellas County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Seminole city
  • Building code adopted — Building code inside Seminole city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Seminole city
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Seminole city
  • Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Seminole city
12 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Seminole publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Pinellas County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Pinellas County: county rules, score and offices