Zoning Changes Allow Up To 4 Units On Single-Family Lots: St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — New zoning rules are increasing the density for eligible residential lots in some St. Petersburg communities.

The St. Petersburg City Council approved two ordinances related to these zoning changes in 7 to 1 votes at Thursday’s meeting.

The changes allow eligible property owners to convert their home into or build up to four residences on a typical-sized single-family lot, according to a news release from the city.

Effective immediately, qualified properties are now classified as NTM-1 or Neighborhood Traditional Mixed Residential.

The rezoning affects, 2,895 properties in the core sections of the city. The new zoning map can be found here.

"We are growing exponentially with more and more people moving to St. Petersburg, and while we cannot create more land for housing, we can carefully and strategically create more density with existing single-family homes," Mayor Kenneth T. Welch said. "Equitable development and housing opportunities for all support the foundation of our mission, and we were thoughtful in our approach to ensure we mitigated any negative impacts to the neighborhood's aesthetics and livability."

In its news release, the city said these zoning changes are a response to “the increasing demand for ‘missing middle’ housing is pushing cities and counties nationwide to rethink solutions for first-time home buyers, smaller families, couples, retirees aging in place, adults with disabilities, car-free households, and many others.”

With a maximum height of 24 feet and maximum width of 40 feet, the exteriors of converted homes can’t be larger than what is currently allowed for a traditional home. The lot size and development will dictate the options for expansion, including an accessory dwelling unit or garage apartment, duplex, triplex or fourplex, the city said.

All eligible properties are also within 175 feet of "future major streets" or heavily traveled roads and must have access to an alley for parking, according to the city.

Property owners must also meet the following criteria:

A minimum of one parking space per unit.

Designated extra space for garbage pickup and containers for three or more units.

Alley must be paved across the entire surface width from the property to the closest street for three or more units.

"While I know this is not an immediate fix to the housing crisis we are in the midst of, it is a start," Brandi Gabbard, council chair, said. "Every time we move the needle toward increasing our housing supply, we create spaces where residents can thrive and grow within our unique and special neighborhoods. There are many safeguards in this proposal that will ensure our neighborhoods remain intact while managing growth in a responsible way. I am thankful for the staff, fellow council members, and residents who weighed in on the proposal. Diversity of thought and opinion is what makes St. Petersburg the inclusive place it is, and I am proud of the work that has led us to this place."

Not everyone supports these zoning changes, though. A change.org petition opposing them has garnered more than 3,600 signatures as of Friday afternoon.

Those who signed the petition expressed concern about the population in areas affected possibly quadrupling, lots not being large enough to accommodate adequate parking and a smaller set back from property lines.

“Allowing such increased density changes in our neighborhoods will do little to positively affect the availability of reasonable and fair housing for all,” one person who signed the petition wrote. “Parking availability is already problematic for many residents in these neighborhoods, not to mention the increase in traffic throughout these neighborhoods and the entire city! Does the city of St. Petersburg really think that it has the resources to accommodate this increased density?”

Another petitioner wrote, “This plan is not well thought out. It will change neighborhoods and add to over population without proper infrastructure.”