Snell Isle at a glance
Snell Isle was developed in the 1920s by C. Perry Snell on filled land along Coffee Pot Bayou, just north of downtown St. Petersburg. Curving streets, canals and large waterfront lots define it.
The 2024 surge reached many ground floors here. Some owners are restoring older homes; others are replacing them with new elevated houses, so both careful interior work and full teardowns are common.
The housing in Snell Isle
A mix of 1920s Mediterranean Revival homes, mid-century ranches and recent large builds, most with pools. Older homes often mean plaster, tile and materials that need asbestos testing before a gut-out.
Most-requested demolition in Snell Isle
- Interior Demolition & Flood Gut-Outs
Older homes being restored after the surge.
- Pool Removal
Pools and cages damaged on waterfront lots.
- House Demolition
Lots being rebuilt with elevated homes.
Who approves a Snell Isle teardown
The City of St. Petersburg Construction Services & Permitting handles demolition permits for Snell Isle addresses. The office is at One 4th Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 893-7231 (Pinellas County building-department directory).
Separately, Pinellas County Air Quality requires a demolition notice with a written asbestos survey at least 10 working days before demolition, even when no asbestos is found (county asbestos rules). The licensed contractor files both.
Test older finishes first
Plaster, old floor tile and textured ceilings in early homes can contain asbestos. Test before the gut-out so the job doesn't stop halfway.
Before a Snell Isle teardown starts
- Asbestos testing on older finishes
- Protection for trim, floors or walls that stay
- Dock and seawall excluded from the work
- Debris staging that keeps the street clear
Send your Snell Isle address and what needs to go.
Free estimateSnell Isle demolition questions
Can you gut part of a house and keep the rest?
Yes. Interior demolition can stop at the flood line and protect everything that stays.
Does an older Snell Isle home need special approval to demolish?
If the property is a designated local landmark or in a local historic district, St. Petersburg requires historic review before demolition. Check with the city first.
Can the pool come out without affecting the house?
Yes. The pool, deck and cage can be removed on their own and the hole backfilled and compacted.
More St. Petersburg neighborhoods
- Shore AcresSlab homes ruled substantially damaged.
- Venetian IslesBlock homes on low canal lots.
- Riviera BayOld slabs out for raised rebuilds.
- Coquina KeySingle-story block homes on low lots.
- Old NortheastHistoric homes restored after flooding.
Elsewhere in the city: St. Petersburg demolition.