ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) permit in Clearwater, FL
Yes — you need a permit for adu (accessory dwelling unit) work in Clearwater.
ADU разрешён как accessory use в жилых зонах (LDR/LMDR/MDR) с ограничением размера; новая жилая единица требует building permit по FBC
| Permit needed? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Where the line falls | ADU разрешён как accessory use в жилых зонах (LDR/LMDR/MD… |
| Fee | Appendix A (Schedule of Fees): one/two-family permit fee $33 base при valuation <= $100,000 + per $1,000; plans examination $16 base + $1 per $1,000 |
| Review time | Not in the ordinance |
| Code section | Sec. 2-103 (ADU, flexible standard development) + FBC 105.2 — категории Building нет |
| Based on | Florida Building Code, Building, 2023 (8th ed.), IBC 2021 base, adopted by reference (Sec. 47.051) |
How to pull the permit
- Put together a site plan showing where the work goes, with dimensions.
- Apply through the Clearwater building department.
- Pay the permit fee when the permit is issued. Work done before that isn't covered.
- Book each inspection listed on the permit as the job reaches that stage.
Either of you can pull it. When a contractor does the work, it is normally their job.
If you skip it
Clearwater's code doesn't set a specific fine for this work. In practice the department can issue a stop-work order, and unpermitted work tends to surface during a sale, when the buyer's inspector or the title company asks for it.
Nearby cities, same job
Rules stop at the city line. If your lot is near a boundary, or you work across several towns, this is where they differ.
| City | Distance | Permit? | Where the line falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater | — | Yes | ADU разрешён как accessory use в жилых зонах (LDR/LMDR/MD… |
| Largo | 5 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
| St. Petersburg | 17 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| Tampa | 18 mi | Yes | You need permits to build an accessory dwelling unit. An … |
| Lakeland | 50 mi | Yes | Building a garage apartment, casita, or other accessory d… |
| North Port | 73 mi | Yes | Building an accessory dwelling unit (garage apartment, ca… |
See every Florida city on adu (accessory dwelling unit) work
Other work in Clearwater
Questions people ask
How much does a adu (accessory dwelling unit) permit cost in Clearwater?
Appendix A (Schedule of Fees): one/two-family permit fee $33 base при valuation <= $100,000 + per $1,000; plans examination $16 base + $1 per $1,000. Valuation-based fees mean the number depends on what the job is worth, so the department quotes it when you apply.
I already built it without a permit. What now?
Clearwater can issue a stop-work order and require you to apply after the fact, sometimes with an extra fee. Work that was covered up may have to be opened for inspection. Full walkthrough here.
Does unpermitted work cause problems when selling the house?
Often, yes. A buyer's inspector or the title company may flag it, and lenders can balk at financing a home with open or missing permits. What to do about it.