Overview
The City of Gulfport engaged Forward Pinellas in a technical assistance project to evaluate the potential for allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to be built in the City and draft comprehensive plan text and zoning regulations to enable them as a permitted use.
Project Steps
- Forward Pinellas staff conducted an assessment of the City’s existing policies and presented regulatory considerations to the City Council.
- Staff then conducted research on ADU regulations of peer communities and conducted an analysis of potential impacts to the City of Gulfport and proposed a regulatory framework for the City Council’s review.
- In June 2026, City Council approved and adopted text changes to its comprehensive plan and zoning code to allow accessory dwelling units.
Connection With Advantage Pinellas Housing Plan
The Advantage Pinellas Housing Action Plan was adopted by Forward Pinellas in April 2023 and provides a framework for a coordinated, countywide approach to increase housing affordability in Pinellas County. As part of the action plan, Forward Pinellas partnered with local governments to sign the Advantage Pinellas Housing Compact, unifying the municipalities of Pinellas County towards the goal of increasing housing affordability. Accessory dwelling units are recognized as a best practice to provide more affordable housing options.