What type of notification is provided
if a violation exists?
The owner or occupant of any property
where an inoperative motor vehicle is
stored will be notified in writing to correct
the violation within 72 hours.
What happens if no action is taken?
If the owner or occupant fails to correct
the violation within 72 hours, the codes
investigator will issue a Municipal
Ordinance Violation.
If an owner or occupant is found guilty of
storing an inoperative motor vehicle, fines
will result as follows:
Pinellas County Clerk of Circuit Court
Violations & Fines:
1st Violation
$125.00 plus court fee
2nd Violation
$250.00 plus court fee
3rd Violation &
$500.00 plus court fee
Subsequent Violations
This brochure has been developed to explain some
of St. Petersburg’s housing and neighborhood
standards. Our first priority is to help residents
voluntarily comply with these standards. If you
receive a violation notice, we recommend that you
take positive action to resolve any violations. Also
contact your Codes Investigator with any questions
about violations and what must be done to correct
them.
The following additional brochures are
available:
Address Numbers
Certificate of Inspection Program
Commercial Equipment Parking
Emergency Fire Exits
Illegal or Abandoned Dwelling Units
Inoperative Motor Vehicles
Junk, Rubbish, Outdoor Storage
Legal Premises Agent for Out of Town Owners
Maintenance of Buildings
Painting to Protect Your Home
Parking in Residential Areas
Permits Required
Prohibited Business
Rodent and Insect Control
Visibility Triangle Requirements
Unsafe/Unfit Structures
Yard (Vegetation) Maintenance Standards
Codes Compliance Assistance
Municipal Services Center Building—3rd Floor
One 4th Street North
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Notices of Violation are valid for one
year from issuance.
Phone: 727-893-7373
Fax: 727-892-5558
Visit us on the Web at www.stpete.org/codes.htm
Revised 03/21/2012
Inoperative
Motor Vehicles
Inoperative Motor
Vehicles
The
accumulation
and
storage
of
abandoned,
wrecked,
dismantled
or
inoperative vehicles, or parts thereof,
creates conditions likely to reduce the value
of real property in the vicinity, promote
blight and deterioration, create fire hazards,
harborage for rodents and insects and is
injurious to public peace, health, safety and
general welfare.
The presence of
abandoned,
wrecked,
dismantled
or
inoperative vehicles within the City of St.
Petersburg constitutes a public nuisance.
What is an Inoperative Motor Vehicle?
Can I cover my motor vehicle with a
tarp or car cover?
As defined in City Code Section 8-201 an
inoperative motor vehicle can be any vehicle
that:
Does not display current license tags
issued to such vehicle.
Any motor vehicle covered with a tarp or
car cover must meet these requirements:
Is not equipped with all parts or
equipment that are required to be legally
and safely operated on the public streets,
roadways or highways.
Is in such a state of disrepair whereby it
cannot be driven or propelled under its
own power.
Where can I store my inoperative motor
vehicle?
According to City Code 8-201(b):
“It shall be unlawful for any person to store
a disabled or inoperative motor vehicle on
any private or public property, or allow to be
stored on private or public property owned
or occupied by such owner or occupant,
outside a legally constructed fully enclosed
structure”.
Inoperative motor vehicles can only be stored
inside a fully enclosed structure constructed
with proper permits such as a garage.
Any cover shall allow at least the
bottom of six inches of each tire to be
visible.
The required license tag shall be clearly
visible from the right of way or the
license tag number shall be printed
legibly on the cover with characters not
less than two inches in height so that it
is clearly visible from the right of way.
Covers shall be in good condition
without tears, rips or holes. The entire
cover shall be one color, except factory
made fitted covers may have more
than one color, and shall be kept clean
and free from mold and mildew.
Covers that are not designed for use
with the covered motor vehicle are
prohibited.
Any motor vehicle that is stored
outside a fully enclosed structure
that is covered shall not be
inoperative as defined in City Code
Section 8-201.