Attached Generational Suite (garage conversion plus bump-out addition)
The St. Petersburg Attached In-Law Suite
- Location
- Unincorporated Pinellas County, coastal zone
- Dimensions
- 16′ × 28′ conversion plus 12′ × 16′ bump-out — 640 sq. ft. total
- Jurisdiction
- Unincorporated Pinellas · coastal 750 sq. ft. cap · HOA detached-ADU restriction
The story
A family in a quiet St. Petersburg neighborhood wanted living space for their returning adult child, with a private entrance and no shared bathroom.
The challenge and site constraints
Zero side access: Side-yard clearance was under 5 feet on both sides, making it physically impossible to move construction machinery to the backyard for a detached structure.
Coastal flood zone caps: Unincorporated Pinellas generally allows ADUs up to 1,000 sq. ft., but this property sat in a coastal flood zone subject to a strict 750 sq. ft. maximum.
HOA restrictions: The subdivision's covenants restricted detached auxiliary dwelling structures outright.
The Watermark solution
Watermark executed a smart pivot: we converted the underutilized attached 2-car garage into a finished living suite and added a 12′ × 16′ architectural bump-out extending toward the rear setback line.
Because the suite was structurally attached, it stayed clear of the HOA's detached-ADU ban and met the tight coastal footprint rules.
The outcome
A private garden-view suite with an independent exterior entrance, a spacious living area, a modern kitchenette, and a full bath.