Planning Department

Frequently Asked Questions - Development Review Division

STRUCTURES:

• What are the setbacks for a single-family residence?
• What is the maximum height limitation for a single-family (detached) dwelling?
• What are sight visibility triangles?

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING:

• Can I sell alcohol at my restaurant?
• What are problematic uses?

FENCES:

• How tall a fence can I install in my front yard?
• Can I put a chain link fence in my front yard?
• If I live on a corner lot, how tall a fence can I install in my side yard that is adjacent to the street?

SHEDS:

• What are the setbacks for a shed at [Your Address]?
• How large can I build my shed?
• Can my shed be two stories tall?

POOLS:

• What are the setbacks for a swimming pool?
• Can I put a screen enclosure over an existing deck?
• Do brick pavers have to meet the setbacks since they are not as solid as concrete deck?

SIGNS:

• How many attached signs are permitted for my business?
• How many freestanding signs are permitted for my business?
• What information do I need to apply for a sign permit?
• How large a sign can I install?
• Can I paint a mural on my building?

TREES:

• What do I need to remove a tree?

GENERAL:

• Where can I obtain a copy of the current Community Development Code?
• How can I get zoning for a property?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Q: What are the setbacks for a single-family residence?

A: The zoning district in which the property is located determines setbacks. Typical setbacks for LMDR zoning district are:

PRIMARY STRUCTURE

Front: 25 feet
Side: 5 feet
Rear: 15 feet
Waterfront: 25 feet

ACCESSORY STRUCTURE

Front: 25 feet
Side: 5 feet
Rear: 10 feet
Waterfront: 10 feet

To verify setback information for all other zoning districts, visit: www.municode.com.

Q: What is the maximum height limitation for a single-family (detached) dwelling?

A: The maximum height for a single-family dwelling is 30 feet.

Q: What are sight visibility triangles?

A: A sight visibility triangle is an area (20 feet by 20 feet) located near a street or driveway intersection in which no structure or landscaping may be installed which will obstruct views (at a level between 30 inches above grade and eight feet above grade) and create a traffic or pedestrian hazard.

Q: Can I sell alcohol at my restaurant?

A: Yes, a restaurant includes the subordinate sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises. A state alcohol beverage license is required from the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Q: What are problematic uses?

A: A problematic use is a commercial retail sale and service use that typically characterized by poorly maintained facilities, loitering and other indices of neighborhood deterioration or urban blight. (Ex: tattoo parlors, day labor, body piercing businesses, pawn shops, check cashing centers, and blood plasma centers.)

Q: How tall of a fence can I install in my front yard?

A: The maximum height for an approved type of fence within a front yard setback is 36 inches.

Q: Can I put a chain link fence is my front yard?

A: No, chain link fencing is not permitted in the front yard. It is only permitted on a parcel to the rear of the front building line of the principal building. Landscaping is required along the perimeter of any chain link fence with a minimum size of three-gallon plantings spaced at 36 inches on center. Irrigation is required for perimeter landscaping on non-residential properties.

Q: If I live on a corner lot, how tall of a fence can I install in my side yard that is adjacent to a street?

A: A fence maybe erected to a maximum height of six feet, if the fence is consistent with the character and placement of any structures and setbacks on the adjoining properties.

Q: What are the setbacks for a shed at ...(address)?

A: The zoning district in which the property is located determines setbacks. Typical setbacks for a shed in the LMDR zoning district are:

FRONT 25 Feet
SIDE 5 Feet
REAR 10 Feet

To verify setback information for all other zoning districts visit: www.municode.com.

Q: How large can I build my shed?

A: Sheds are limited to 10 percent of the gross floor area of your home and garage. (Ex: 1,070 square foot home and garage x 0.10 = 107 square foot shed or 10 foot x 10 foot)

Q: Can my shed be two stories tall?

A: Residential sheds are limited to a maximum height of 15 feet.
All non-residential sheds are limited to the maximum height of the primary structure.

Q: What are the setbacks for a swimming pool?

A: The zoning district in which the property is located determines setbacks. Typical setbacks for a swimming pool in the LMDR zoning district are:

FRONT 25 Feet
SIDE 5 Feet
REAR 10 Feet

* Pool setbacks are measured from the outer edge of the deck.

To verify pool setback information for all other zoning districts, visit: www.municode.com.

Q: Can I put a screen enclosure over an existing deck?

A: A screen enclosure shall meet setback requirements even when placed over an existing deck.

Q: Do brick pavers have to meet the setbacks since they are not as solid as a concrete deck?

A: Brick pavers must also meet setback requirements; this is the same as concrete or asphalt decking.

Q: How many attached signs are permitted for my business?

A: A business establishment is permitted one attached sign.

Q: How many freestanding signs are permitted for my business?

A: A business is permitted one freestanding sign per parcel of land. Corner lots may be permitted two freestanding signs, one on each street frontage.

Q: What information do I need to apply for a sign permit?

A: A complete application is required to apply for a sign permit. It will include a photo survey of all existing signs on the property, a colored, dimensioned illustration of signage proposed, structural engineering, site survey and landscape plan (for freestanding signs).

Q: How large of a sign can I install?

A: The size of a sign is dependent upon the use of the site and the type of sign requested. Generally, the area of a freestanding sign is limited to one square foot of sign for every lineal foot of street frontage, or one square foot of sign per 100 square feet of building façade facing the street frontage; or 64 square feet, whichever is less. The maximum height of a ground sign is 14 feet. The area of an attached sign is limited to one square foot of sign area per 100 square feet of building façade facing the street frontage, or 24 square feet.

Q: Can I paint a mural on my building?

A: Artwork and murals are permitted as long as they do not advertise the business. The Planning Department should review any proposal prior to commencement of painting.

Q: What do I need to remove a tree?

A: A complete application for tree removal is needed. It will include a site survey showing the location, size and type of all trees to be removed.

Q: Where can I obtain a copy of the Current Community Development Code?

A: The Community Development Code can be purchased through the Municipal Code Corporation. It can be reached at 1-800-342-2633 or by visiting Its website at www.municode.com

Q: How can I get zoning for a property?

A: You may visit the City of Clearwater’s internet website at www.clearwater-fl.com and select the Clearwater Parcel & Zoning link.

For Additional Information

To inquire about the zoning of a property:
Zoning is site specific and unique to each address. To determine the zoning on a particular property and to find out about permitted uses and development standards, check the Clearwater Parcel and Zoning Web page, or contact the Zoning Counter at 727-562-4604

To install a fence: Fences are regulated based on type, height, and location. Contact the Zoning Counter at 727-562-4604 for more information.

To install a shed or accessory structure: Contact the Zoning Counter at 727-562-4604 for more information.

To determine landscaping requirements: Contact the Zoning Counter at 727-562-4604 for more information.

To determine requirements for site plan approval: Call (727) 562-4539, (727) 562-4504, or (727) 562-4547 for more information.

To schedule a pre-application meeting to review a proposed project: Appointments are encouraged. Call (727) 562-4539, (727) 562-4504, or (727) 562-4547 for more information.

For signage information: Call (727) 562-4547 or (727) 562-4604.

To obtain more information about the removal of trees: Call (727) 562-4746 for residential, or (727) 562-4741 for commercial.