Frequently Asked Questions

The City requires a building permit to install, repair or replace all fences.

Fences may be placed anywhere on private property up to the property line so long as height restrictions and sight visibility standards are met. Fences must also be located at least two feet from sidewalks.

Fence height is measured from grade to the top of the tallest portion of the fence, column or post.

Fences located on single-family, duplex, triplex, and commercial properties may be up to six (6) feet tall in rear and side yards and up to four (4) feet tall in front yards.

Industrial properties may have fences up to eight (8) feet tall on all sides.

Multi-family and mobile home communities may have fences up to six (6) feet tall on all sides.

Decorative gates and gate support posts may extend up to eight (8) feet in height for multifamily, subdivisions, and mobile home communities.

Residential properties may have fences constructed of wood, vinyl, brick, split-faced or stucco covered CMU, stone, aluminum and chain link.

Multi-family and mobile home parks are allowed brick, vinyl chain link when integrated into a landscape buffer and coated to blend in to the surroundings, split-faced or stucco CMU, glass, vinyl, aluminum, and stone fences and walls

Commercial properties are allowed brick, split-faced or stucco CMU, glass, vinyl, aluminum, and stone fences and walls.

Industrial properties are allowed barbed wire, brick, chain link, split-faced or stucco CMU, glass, vinyl, and stone fences and walls.

Because fence permit reviews verify the allowed locations, visibility requirements, and allowable heights, a valid survey or site plan is required with the application.

All fences shall be installed with the finished side facing towards neighboring properties and any abutting right of way.

Proposed fence installations and replacements that are to be located within a public easement will be reviewed by the City Engineering Department to ensure the fence does not interfere with the function and intent of the easement.

Common Fence Replacement and Installation Applications (P = permitted; refer to ordinance for athletic fences)

STANDARD/PROPERTY TYPE		Single-family, Duplex, Triplex	Multi-family & Mobile Home Communities	Institutional	Commercial	Industrial
Height	Maximum (ft.)	6 rear/side yard 4 front yard	6 all sides	6	6 rear/side yard 4 front yard	8 all sides
Materials & Fence Types	Barbed wire	Not allowed	Not allowed	Not allowed	Not allowed	P
	Brick	P	P	P	P	P
	Uncoated Chain Link	P	Not allowed
	Vinyl Coated Chain Link for Buffer	P	Must be integrated into a required landscape buffer and coated to blend into the surroundings
	Concrete with stucco or split faced CMU	P	P	P	P	P
	Electric	Not allowed	Not allowed	Not allowed	Not allowed	Not allowed
	Glass	P	P	P	P	P
	Vinyl	P	P	P	P	P
	Aluminum	P	P	P	P	P
	Stone	P	P	P	P	P
	Wood	P	Not allowed	Not allowed	Not allowed	Not Allowed

A tree removal permit is required for all trees measuring 4 inches in diameter or greater and palm trees over 4.5 feet tall.

A completed tree removal permit application with the property site plan showing approximate tree(s) locations is necessary. This application need to be submitted in person at Largo City Hall, 201 Highland Ave, Largo.

Mangrove plants or trees should not be removed. No trimming of mangroves should take place without a permit issued by Pinellas County Environmental Management. All trimming and maintenance of mangroves is subject to the requirements of Florida Statute 403.9321-403.9333.

A permit is required but there is no charge for the permit.

Yes, all trees may be pruned to maintain shape and promote their shade-giving qualities and to remove diseased or dying portions in areas where falling limbs could be a hazard to people or property.

EXCEPTIONS:

• No more than 25% of the crown should be removed at one time in order for the trees to develop a healthy structure.
•  No more than 33%  of the trunk of immature trees should be left bare by limb removal. Also, the top branch or leader of immature trees shall not be removed.

A permit is required but there will be no charge for the permit.

Common invasive species include but not limited to: Brazilian pepper trees, Australian pine trees, Camphor trees, Carrotwood, Punk Tree, and Mimosa. View a complete list of invasive plant species.

You may be required to replace the removed tree if the property does not meet the requirements per the Comprehensive Development Code (CDC). Dead or diseased trees and invasive trees are exceptions.

Commercial/Non-residential properties must replace all removed trees within landscape buffers, landscape islands and planting areas per the landscape plan. Fees will be charged for inches that are not replaced. 

Replacement tree(s) should be no less than 8 feet in height and 2 inches in trunk caliper. All replacement trees shall be Florida Grade #1 quality or greater nursery stock, as consistent with the Florida Grades and Standards for Nursery Stock.

Please refer to Chapter 10 Section 10.7.2 of the CDC in regards to tree replacement requirements and mitigation fees as well as Table 10-8 for Tree Replacement ratios.

Largo's Urban Forestry
The Urban Forest is a collection of public and privately owned trees within the City of Largo. Trees clean the air, provide a habitat for wildlife and enhance our general quality of life. Learn more about this program and the Neighborwoods Tree Steward.

Mayor's Tree Planting Program
Launched in 2004, this program has been successful at planting over 4,500 new trees within the City of Largo. For more information, contact Largo Parks at 727-586-7415 or Parks@largo.com

Use of Mulch
The use of organic mulches is required to reduce the growth of weeds and add nutrients to the soil as well as retain moisture over the root zones of plant materials. A two to three inch layer of organic mulch should be placed over all newly installed tree, shrub and ground cover planting areas. No mulch should be placed on the root flair of a tree. The use of cypress mulch is prohibited. The harvest of cypress trees for mulch eliminates valuable cypress trees, which are an essential component of Florida's wetlands. For more details on mulch use or how to recycle yard waste, email Recycle@largo.com.

The City of Largo does not use traditional zoning. Instead, the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) regulates current uses for each property within the City and provides policy guidance for future development. You may contact the Ask-A-Planner desk to find out more information about your property's Future Land Use designation.

Building setback is the minimum distance that a building can be from your property line. Building setbacks can vary by land use, building type and the nature of the adjacent type. Building setback information may be found in our Comprehensive Development Code.

The allowed uses can be found in Chapter 6 of the Comprehensive Development Code.

To request a zoning verification letter, please contact the Planner-on-Call at 727-587-6700 Ext. 7301.