Eviction Laws in St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is Florida’s fifth-largest city, situated on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas County with a population of around 263,000. Long overshadowed by its larger neighbor Tampa directly across the bay, St. Pete has emerged over the past decade as one of the most desirable mid-size cities in the Southeast — a walkable waterfront downtown, a nationally recognized arts district, the SunRunner bus rapid transit corridor connecting downtown to the beaches, and a creative economy that has attracted remote workers, artists, young professionals, and retirees in equal measure. The rental market reflects that transformation: rents have climbed sharply from pre-pandemic levels, vacancy is tighter than many Florida metros, and demand is driven by a diverse mix of healthcare workers from BayCare and Bayfront Health, tech and finance professionals, and lifestyle-driven transplants from colder and more expensive markets.
Florida’s eviction framework under F.S. Chapter 83 applies uniformly across St. Petersburg and Pinellas County, and the process gives landlords efficient tools to recover possession when tenants default. For nonpayment of rent, landlords must serve a written 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate — excluding weekends and legal holidays — before filing. For curable lease violations, a 7-Day Notice to Cure applies; for serious or incurable violations, a 7-Day Unconditional Quit Notice. Once the notice period expires without compliance, the landlord files a Complaint for Eviction with Pinellas County Court. The tenant has 5 business days to respond. After a favorable judgment, a Writ of Possession is issued and the tenant has just 24 hours to vacate before the Pinellas County Sheriff enforces removal. Florida has no rent control and no security deposit cap, though strict 15/30-day deposit return rules apply.
St. Petersburg & Pinellas County — Local Rules That Affect Landlords
No rent control. Florida state law preempts local rent regulation and St. Petersburg has none — a key advantage in a market where rising rents have generated significant tenant advocacy activity.
Hurricane and Flood Zone Exposure. St. Petersburg’s peninsula location makes it one of Florida’s most hurricane-exposed major cities. Post-Helene and Milton insurance premium surges have hit Pinellas County landlords hard — some areas have seen premiums rise 40–60%. Florida law requires flood zone disclosure to tenants. Ensure leases include appropriate storm and flood risk language to reduce lease dispute exposure.
Pinellas County STR Regulations. St. Petersburg permits short-term rentals with registration and tax collection requirements. Beach communities in unincorporated Pinellas County have their own STR rules that vary by zone. Verify current STR compliance at the property and neighborhood level before marketing any unit as a vacation rental.
Pinellas County Court Filing. St. Petersburg properties file in Pinellas County Court in Clearwater — not in St. Pete itself. The drive is short but landlords should confirm the correct courthouse location and division before appearing. Electronic filing is available through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com.
Security Deposit Rules. Florida requires written notice to tenants within 30 days of receiving a deposit detailing where it is held and whether it is interest-bearing. Non-compliance forfeits deposit claim rights — a defense tenants raise regularly in Pinellas County eviction proceedings.
Pinellas County Court — Where St. Petersburg Landlords File
St. Petersburg landlords file eviction actions at Pinellas County Court, County Civil Division, located at 315 Court St, Clearwater, FL 33756, phone (727) 464-7000, open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. File a Complaint for Eviction and pay the filing fee of approximately $185 plus $10 per defendant for summons issuance. The clerk issues a 5-business-day summons served by the Pinellas County Sheriff or a certified process server. If the tenant does not respond within 5 business days, file a Motion for Default. If the tenant responds and deposits rent into the court registry, a hearing is set. After a favorable judgment, a Writ of Possession is issued and the tenant has 24 hours to vacate before the sheriff executes removal. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — is illegal under F.S. § 83.67 and exposes landlords to damages of up to 3 months’ rent plus attorney fees.
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