# Pasco County, FL Site Plans — The 150 Sq Ft Shed Exemption and the 500 Sq Ft Grading Rule
Permitting in unincorporated Pasco County is defined by two major thresholds: one that saves you time, and one that requires an engineer.
If you are building a small shed, Pasco is incredibly lenient. If you are pouring a massive patio or adding a pool, Pasco is strict about stormwater runoff. Before you log into the PascoGateway portal to submit your application, you need to know exactly how much square footage your project covers. Here is what your site plan needs to show.
Do You Need a Site Plan for a Small Permit in Pasco County?
For most permits, yes. You need a site plan showing property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and flood zones.
But for small sheds, you might not need a permit at all.
The 150 Sq Ft Shed Exemption
In unincorporated Pasco County, sheds 150 square feet or less are exempt from building permits provided they are:
- DBPR approved (Department of Business and Professional Regulation)
- Outside flood hazard areas
- Not on a permanent foundation
- Completely without electrical or plumbing connections
You still must comply with zoning setbacks, but you do not need to pull a permit. (If it's 151 square feet, or if you run power to it, a permit and site plan are required).
The 500 Sq Ft Grading Plan Threshold
On the other end of the spectrum, Pasco County heavily regulates land disturbance. If your project creates a cumulative impervious area (concrete, roof, decking) greater than 500 square feet on a property that is one acre or less, you must provide an engineered lot-grading plan. This grading plan must be signed and sealed by a Florida Registered Engineer. Your site plan's dimensions dictate whether you trigger this expensive requirement.
Who Runs Into This in Pasco County
- Wesley Chapel homeowners adding large pool decks and discovering they've crossed the 500 sq ft grading threshold
- Land O'Lakes owner-builders navigating the PascoGateway portal for the first time
- Hudson residents in flood zones where the shed exemption doesn't apply (due to flood hazard area rules)
- New Port Richey residents applying to the county, only to find out they live inside city limits and must use the city's building department
What Needs a Site Plan in Unincorporated Pasco County
- Fence permit site plan — Required for fences over 6 ft or those with concrete footers.
- Shed permit site plan — Required for sheds over 150 sq ft, or sheds with power/plumbing.
- Deck permit site plan — Required. Handled under accessory structure rules. Impervious surface rules apply.
- Pool permit site plan — Required. Almost all pools cross the 500 sq ft impervious threshold and require an engineered grading plan in addition to the site layout.
- Garage permit site plan — Required. Accessory structure and impervious rules apply.
- Addition permit site plan — Required. Must show expanded footprint, setbacks, and total lot coverage.
- Tree Removal permit — Pasco County generally requires a permit (Type I-IV) to remove trees 5 inches in diameter or larger; a site plan/survey is required.
Why This Trips People Up in Pasco County
The City vs. County divide. A "New Port Richey" or "Dade City" mailing address does not mean you are in city limits. Pasco County Building Construction Services handles unincorporated areas. If you are inside the limits of New Port Richey, Port Richey, Dade City, or Zephyrhills, you must apply with that specific city. Verify your jurisdiction on the Pasco County Property Appraiser site first.
Miscalculating impervious area. Many homeowners measure just the pool water surface, forgetting that the concrete deck around the pool counts as impervious area. Once you cross 500 total square feet of new impervious surface, you need a Florida Registered Engineer to seal a grading plan.
Flood zone shed rules. The 150 sq ft shed exemption does not apply if your property is in a flood hazard area. In a flood zone, even a tiny shed requires a permit and must meet anchoring and elevation requirements.
Tree removal rules. You cannot just clear a lot in Pasco County. Removing trees typically requires a permit based on the tree's diameter. Your site plan should note existing trees if they are near the proposed construction area.
Zoning and Setbacks in Unincorporated Pasco County
Setbacks vary significantly based on your specific zoning district (e.g., R-1, R-2, R-4, AR-1).
Common Residential Setbacks (Example: R-2 Zoning):
- Front yard: 25 ft
- Side yard: 7.5 ft
- Rear yard: 20 ft
Agricultural Residential (AR-1):
- Front: 50 ft
- Side: 25 ft
- Rear: 50 ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 25%
Always verify your specific zoning district using the PascoView GIS map before finalizing your layout.
How the Tool Handles This — 4 Super easy and fast Steps
SitePlans.ai loads Pasco County parcel data so you're starting from your actual property boundaries:
- Enter your address — Lot lines and existing building footprints load from county records.
- Place your project — Add your shed, pool, or addition to the lot.
- Set the required setbacks — The tool calculates distances to property lines so you can hit your specific zoning requirements.
- Export a clean PDF — Download a titled, scaled plan (e.g., 1″=50′) with your Parcel ID ready for PascoGateway upload.
Where This Tool Fits — and Where It Doesn't
| Situation | Best path |
|---|---|
| Shed over 150 sq ft or deck (under 500 sq ft impervious) | SitePlans.ai for the required site plan; non-certified plans accepted |
| Project over 500 sq ft impervious (lots 1 acre or less) | SitePlans.ai for layout; licensed engineer required for grading plan |
| Shed under 150 sq ft (no utilities, not in flood zone) | SitePlans.ai for your own records; permit not required |
| Property inside New Port Richey or Dade City | SitePlans.ai for layout; verify city-specific requirements |
| Property in a flood zone | Licensed surveyor/engineer often required (elevation documentation) |
| Property line dispute or unclear boundaries | Licensed land surveyor |
| Plan rejected by PascoGateway | SitePlans.us for human-reviewed revision |
What This Doesn't Replace
Out site Plan creator webbased tool helps create preliminary, conceptual, permit-style site plans for smaller residential projects where local rules allow homeowner- or contractor-prepared drawings. It is not a licensed land survey, sealed engineering drawing, PE/PLS/architect stamp, or a guarantee of permit approval. If your project crosses the 500 sq ft impervious threshold, you must hire a Florida Registered Engineer for the grading plan. Where Pasco County requires a licensed professional's certification, that requirement must still be followed.
Comparison: Your Options for a Pasco County Site Plan
| Method | Cost | Time | Stamp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand sketch | Free | 1–2 hrs | ✗ | Often rejected if scale or setbacks are inaccurate |
| SitePlans.ai | Free first plan | Minutes | ✗ | Pulls Pasco parcel data; perfect for staying under the 500 sq ft threshold |
| CAD drafter | $300–$800+ | 1–2 weeks | Sometimes | Better for complex additions |
| Licensed surveyor/engineer | $500–$2,000+ | 1–3 weeks | ✅ | Mandatory for Grading Plans (>500 sq ft) and Elevation Certificates |
| SitePlans.us (done-for-you) | Custom | 1–3 days | ✗ (human-reviewed, non-certified) | Best for responding to county correction notices |
Common Mistakes That Delay Pasco County Permits
- Applying to the wrong office — Check the Property Appraiser site first to confirm if you are county or city jurisdiction.
- Ignoring the grading plan threshold — Submitting a site plan for a 600 sq ft pool deck without a sealed grading plan guarantees a rejection.
- Forgetting the flood zone exception for sheds — Assuming your 140 sq ft shed is exempt, only to find out you live in a flood hazard area where permits are mandatory.
- Missing the Parcel ID — Your site plan and application must include the exact parcel/folio number.
- Ignoring tree removal permits — Clearing trees for a new structure without a permit will result in code enforcement action.
Support and Local Resources
- Pasco County Building Construction Services — pascocountyfl.net
- PascoGateway Permitting Portal — aca-prod.accela.com/PASCO — for online submissions
- Pasco County Property Appraiser — pascopa.com — check jurisdiction and parcel boundaries
- PascoView GIS Map — pascoview.pascocountyfl.net — check zoning and aerials
- City of New Port Richey Building — cityofnewportrichey.org
- FEMA Flood Maps — msc.fema.gov
Nearby Counties
- Florida permit site plan requirements
- lee County site plan guide
- manatee County site plan guide
- pinellas County site plan guide
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a permit for a shed in Pasco County?
In unincorporated Pasco County, sheds 150 square feet or less are exempt from building permits if they do not have electricity, do not have plumbing, are not on a permanent foundation, and are not located in a flood hazard area. You must still comply with zoning setbacks.
2. What is the 500 square foot grading plan rule?
If your construction project (pool, deck, addition, patio) adds more than 500 square feet of cumulative impervious surface to a lot that is one acre or less, Pasco County requires an engineered lot-grading plan signed and sealed by a Florida Registered Engineer.
3. Does Pasco County accept homeowner-drawn site plans?
For projects that do not trigger the engineered grading plan requirement (e.g., small additions, decks under 500 sq ft), non-certified, drafted site plans are generally accepted for layout purposes, provided they are accurate and drawn to scale.
4. How do I know if I'm in unincorporated Pasco County or a city?
Look up your address on the Pasco County Property Appraiser website. If your property is in New Port Richey, Port Richey, Dade City, or Zephyrhills, you must apply with that city's building department.
5. Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Pasco County?
Yes. Pasco County generally requires a Type I-IV tree removal permit to remove trees 5 inches in diameter or larger.
6. How long are Pasco County permits valid?
Permits are valid for 6 months from issuance, and remain valid as long as an approved inspection is recorded every 6 months.
7. Can I use SitePlans.ai for a Pasco County permit?
Yes. For projects that don't require an engineered grading plan, SitePlans.ai is an excellent tool to pull your parcel data, layout your project, verify setbacks, and generate the PDF required for the PascoGateway portal.
8. What if my property lines look wrong in SitePlans.ai?
GIS parcel data is a representation, not a legal survey. If your boundaries look significantly off in the tool, verify them against PascoView. If you are building very close to a setback line, you must hire a licensed land surveyor.
9. What is SitePlans.us and when should I use it?
SitePlans.us is our done-for-you drafting service. If your application is rejected in PascoGateway for site plan inaccuracies, or if you simply don't want to draw it yourself, our team will draft a permit-ready (non-certified) plan fast.
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Start Your Pasco County Site Plan
Check your jurisdiction on the Property Appraiser site first. If you're ready to draft your site plan, enter your address below to pull your property lines, place your project, check your impervious area against the 500 sq ft rule, and download the PDF you need for the PascoGateway portal.
Build My Pasco County Site Plan →
Got a correction notice from the county? Send the comments to SitePlans.us and we'll draft the revision for you.
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