Opening your space to pop-ups in St. Petersburg: the checklist

Not legal advice. This is a starting checklist, checked 2026-09-25. Rules change and differ by county and city. Talk to a lawyer and confirm with DBPR before you sell a ticket or open your space.

At a glance

• Licensed restaurant or bar: St. Pete pop-ups run inside licensed venues, like Pulpo Kitchen's collab chef dinner (anecdotal). Facebook
• Unlicensed event space: the organizer needs their own DBPR licence, even for "catering a private party." DBPR
• Home: city home occupation rules don't help with cooking, because DBPR food service "MAY NOT be conducted in a private residence." Their capitals, not ours. A licensed caterer can still serve at a home, zoning permitting (unverified). DBPR catering
• Biggest risk: running unlicensed is a misdemeanour, plus fines up to $1,000 per offence. §509.261

Quick answers

Can I host a pop-up dinner in my space in St. Petersburg? It depends on the space. Licensed venues host them, like Pulpo Kitchen's collab dinner (anecdotal). Facebook Unlicensed spaces need an organizer with their own DBPR licence. DBPR Homes can't be the kitchen; a licensed caterer may serve there (unverified). DBPR

Can guests bring their own wine to a ticketed night at my St. Petersburg space? It depends on your space. A DBPR-licensed restaurant serving full-course meals isn't a bottle club; other for-profit spaces need a $500 licence. §561.01 ABT No drinking after midnight without a city permit. SPPD

What should I ask a pop-up organizer for in St. Petersburg? Their own DBPR licence and a certificate of insurance naming you. DBPR Then set your rental fee and deposit in writing.

Steps, in order

Already done some of these? Skip them.

Suggested order.

• 1. Talk to a lawyer about your space.
• 2. Check zoning with the City of St. Petersburg, plus your lease or HOA.
• 3. Hold a city business tax receipt ($65 base). Food service needs a current DBPR licence first; no county receipt needed. St. Pete Pinellas
• 4. Restaurant or bar: ask DBPR whether your licence covers a guest chef's night. DBPR
• 5. Sort your drinks plan: see Drinks below.
• 6. Ask your insurer about ticketed events. Homeowners policies exclude activity "engaged in for money or other compensation." Some policies exempt small side income; get it in writing from your insurer. ISO HO-3
• 7. Ask the organizer for their own DBPR licence and a certificate of insurance naming you. DBPR
• 8. Set your rental fee and deposit in writing. Handshakes are lovely. They don't hold deposits.

Drinks

• Selling drinks at a ticketed night needs a liquor licence: yours, or a licensed caterer (13CT) or 4COP bar brought in for the night. The licensee sells every drink, and "complimentary" wine with a ticket is still a sale. Brewers' Law §561.20 §561.01
• BYOB: a DBPR-licensed restaurant serving full-course meals isn't a bottle club. Other for-profit spaces need a $500 bottle club licence. Local rules still apply. §561.01 ABT
• St. Pete: bring in a licensed caterer, with city temporary alcohol and use permits (2017 handout, unverified). No drinking after midnight, BYOB included, without an extended-hours permit. St. Pete SPPD

Watch-outs

• Opening before your city receipt costs a 25% penalty, and receipts expire Sept 30. Mark the calendar. St. Pete
• Invitation-only isn't exempt: DBPR licenses test kitchens "even if by special invitation only." DBPR

Learn more

• DBPR: services needing a licence
• St. Pete business tax receipts
• St. Pete home occupation rules

Ready to open your doors to micro hospitality? Join Tenseats as a venue host.

Not legal advice. Confirm with a lawyer and DBPR before you act.