Subject:
Title
Case No. LDR-25-03 (First Public Hearing)
An ordinance of Pinellas County, Florida providing for the amendment of the Pinellas County Land Development Code, Chapter 138 - Zoning, related to definitions and a process for the review of reasonable accommodation requests for Certified Recovery Residences Use pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 397.487.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Conduct a public hearing and take public comment on Case No. LDR-25-03. An ordinance of Pinellas County, Florida, providing for the amendment of the Pinellas County Land Development Code, Chapter 138.
• This is the first of two required public hearings.
• Senate Bill 954 (2025) requires local governments to amend their Land Development Code to be in compliance with Chapter 397 Florida Statutes as related to Certified Recovery Residences.
• The proposed amendments include the following:
o Providing definition of a Certified Recovery Residence.
o Adding the use to the Table of Uses of allowable zoning districts.
o Providing specific use standards for development.
o Establishing a process for the review of reasonable accommodation requests for Certified Recovery Residences.
• The Local Planning Agency recommended approval of the ordinance (Vote: 6-0). No one from the public appeared in support or opposition and no correspondence has been received.
• This amendment has no fiscal impact on Pinellas County.
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Strategic Priorities:
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health
2.2 Enhance community safety
Summary:
Summary
Due to recent Senate Bill 954 adopted during the 2025 legislative session, amendments are necessary to bring the Land Development Code Chapter 138 into compliance with Chapter 397 Florida Statutes. Specifically, these amendments are for Certified Recovery Residences. The State Legislature finds that a person suffering from addiction has a higher success rate of achieving long-lasting sobriety when given the opportunity to build a stronger foundation by living in a recovery residence while receiving treatment or after completing treatment. The Legislature further finds that this state and its subdivisions have a legitimate state interest in protecting these persons, who represent a vulnerable consumer population in need of adequate housing. It is the intent of the Legislature to protect persons who reside in a recovery residence.
The following is a summary of the land development code updates:
• Establish procedures for the review and approval of Certified Recovery Residences, including a process for requesting reasonable accommodations from land use regulation that serves to prohibit the establishment.
• Add Certified Recovery Residence use to use table of allowable zoning districts.
• Add a definition for Certified Recovery Residence.
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Background Information:
The LPA recommended approval of the Ordinance during the November 12, 2025, public hearing (Vote: 6-0). No one appeared at the hearing and no correspondence has been received.
Fiscal Impact:
This amendment has no fiscal impact on Pinellas County.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kevin McAndrew, Director, Building and Development Review Services
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
LPA Staff Report
Ordinance - Clean
Ordinance - Redline
SB 954
Business Impact Estimate
Legal Ad
PowerPoint Presentation