Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Largo?
Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Largo is no exception.
Florida has no statewide small-shed exemption. The widely repeated rule that a shed under 120 square feet needs no permit comes from the model International Codes, and Florida did not adopt it: section 105.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building exempts only specified gas, mechanical and plumbing work, with no category exempting detached accessory structures. Where a size threshold exists it is a local ordinance, and it genuinely differs, so ask your building department for the line that applies at your address. Any shed with electricity, plumbing or a permanent foundation needs a permit regardless of size, and zoning setbacks, flood zone rules and wind anchoring apply even when no building permit is required.
Florida and local notes for Largo
Pinellas County's own permitting office is the Building and Development Review Services Department, reachable on (727) 464-3888 at https://pinellas.gov/applying-for-a-building-permit/. Its online permit portal is https://aca-prod.accela.com/pinellas/default.aspx. It issues permits for the unincorporated county. If your city does not run its own building department, this is the office that will handle the job. Contractor licensing here is countywide, which is unusual. The Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board, established in 1973, regulates construction and home improvement contractors practicing in Pinellas County including all local municipalities, so whoever you hire needs to be licensed through it no matter which city you are in. Reach it on (727) 582-3100 or pcclb@pinellas.gov, 440 Court St, 1st Floor, Clearwater. The City of Largo states that all sheds need a permit. Sheds under 250 square feet do not need a contractor, and sheds over 100 square feet need signed and sealed plans. Under CDC 16.2.4, a shed of 150 square feet or less must be in the side or rear yard, no taller than 10 feet, and at least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines, and lots under 2 acres are limited to one. A shed over 150 square feet on a lot under 2 acres is capped at 25 percent of the home's gross floor area and 500 square feet, must meet principal building setbacks, and must match the home's architectural style and materials.
Documents you may need
- Permit applicationLikely required
- Site plan showing setbacksLikely required
- Structure dimensions or manufacturer drawingsSometimes required
- Anchoring or tie-down detailsSometimes required
- Permit or zoning applicationLikely required
- Site plan showing setbacks and distance to lot linesLikely required
- Anchoring or tie-down details for wind loadSometimes required
- Contractor license number issued or recognised by the countyLikely required
- LCAP building permit applicationLikely required
- Survey or scaled plot plan showing structures, easements, and the shed locationLikely required
- Plans, Florida Product Approvals, and installation instructions (plans signed and sealed for sheds over 100 square feet)Likely required
Possible inspections
- Foundation or slab inspection
- Framing and anchoring inspection
- Final inspection
- Tie-down or foundation inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Largo?
- Yes. In Florida, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Largo is no exception. The documents and inspections sections on this page list what the building department typically asks for.
- Who issues the permit in Largo?
- The local building department for Largo handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.