Resident sues St. Petersburg, claims open records violations tied to a disputed accessory dwelling unit

A St. Petersburg resident has sued the city, alleging officials failed to comply with Florida’s public records law and did not turn over key documents tied to a disputed residential development next door.

Rashid Mehmood filed the complaint against the city of St. Petersburg in Pinellas County Circuit Court, asking a Judge to order the city to release records and provide written explanations for zoning and permitting decisions related to an accessory dwelling unit and related construction at a neighboring property.

The case, filed Feb. 28, has been assigned to Circuit Judge Amy M. Williams. The city has been formally served, according to court records.

According to the complaint, Mehmood raised concerns beginning in early 2024 about setbacks, drainage, survey reliability and other compliance issues associated with the development. He alleges the city acknowledged the matter was under review but never issued a consolidated written determination explaining how zoning rules were applied or whether any administrative relief was granted, court records show.

The lawsuit also highlights events surrounding a certificate of occupancy issued for the accessory dwelling unit in December 2025. The city revoked the certificate roughly three weeks later, saying it had been issued in error, before outlining a “path forward” toward reinstatement, according to the filing.

Mehmood contends that evolving surveys, shifting setback measurements and other changes created “record-integrity issues” within the city’s permitting file.

Mehmood alleges the city failed to conduct adequate searches when responding to his public records requests, including communications involving specific city employees tied to the permits. He claims some email records likely exist but were not produced, and that the city did not adequately confirm when responsive records did not exist.

The complaint asks the court to order the city to conduct additional searches for records, produce any non-exempt materials, and provide written confirmation when responsive records cannot be found. It also asks the court to require the city to produce a written administrative determination explaining how zoning standards were applied and documented.

The lawsuit also seeks declaratory relief clarifying whether the city must maintain written documentation when administrative decisions affect zoning classifications and dimensional standards.

Mehmood is representing himself in the case. Court records reviewed Thursday morning did not show a response from the city, and city representatives declined comment on this story, citing ongoing litigation.