Building in South Tampa.
What the City and the County publish about building a home in each neighborhood, with every fact linked to its source.
Four things to check before you buy or design.
- 01
Flood zone
Look up the FEMA zone and base flood elevation for the parcel. In a special flood hazard area the City needs an elevation certificate with the permit.
More on flood zone - 02
Zoning
The zoning district sets the setbacks, the height limit and the minimum lot size. Tampa is rewriting its code, so confirm the current rule.
More on zoning - 03
Historic review
Inside a local historic district, new construction and exterior changes need a certificate of appropriateness first.
More on historic review - 04
Trees
Large trees on a lot can need a permit before pruning or removal, which can shape where a house can sit.
More on trees
What applies to a lot in South Tampa?
Pick a neighborhood. You get the flood, historic, tree and zoning rules that usually apply, each with its official source. Confirm your own parcel with the City.
Davis Islands
- Flood zone
- A June 2020 City of Tampa flood study says the entire Davis Islands study basin sits inside FEMA's preliminary special flood hazard area. In that area the City asks for an Elevation Certificate with the building permit application.City of Tampa: Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Analysis and Resiliency Strategy Report (June 2020)
- Historic review
- The City Architectural Review Commission reviews development inside local historic districts and on local landmarks. Ask City staff whether a specific parcel is covered.City of Tampa: About Architectural Review and Historic Preservation
- Tree permit
- Tree removals of 5 inches or more across the trunk need a City permit, and every removal is subject to mitigation. For a new home, tree removals are marked on the site plan and reviewed with the building permit.City of Tampa: Tree Resources
- Height and setbacks
- Single-family lots sit in RS zoning districts. The City code assessment lists RS-60 at 6,000 sq ft minimum lot area, 25 ft front yard, 7 ft side yard and 35 ft maximum height. RS-50 and RS-75 differ, and the City is rewriting its code. Confirm the parcel zoning first.City of Tampa: Land Development Code Assessment (Feb 2025 draft)
Hyde Park
- Flood zone
- Check the parcel on the FEMA flood map before design. Inside a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, the City asks for an Elevation Certificate with the building permit application.City of Tampa: Flood Information
- Historic review
- Inside the Hyde Park Local Historic District, the Architectural Review Commission reviews development against the Hyde Park Design Guidelines. Ask City staff whether a parcel sits inside the district.City of Tampa: Hyde Park Historic District Expansion
- Tree permit
- Tree removals of 5 inches or more across the trunk need a City permit, and every removal is subject to mitigation. For a new home, tree removals are marked on the site plan and reviewed with the building permit.City of Tampa: Tree Resources
- Height and setbacks
- Single-family lots sit in RS zoning districts. The City code assessment lists RS-60 at 6,000 sq ft minimum lot area, 25 ft front yard, 7 ft side yard and 35 ft maximum height. RS-50 and RS-75 differ, and the City is rewriting its code. Confirm the parcel zoning first.City of Tampa: Land Development Code Assessment (Feb 2025 draft)
Palma Ceia
- Flood zone
- Check the parcel on the FEMA flood map before design. Inside a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, the City asks for an Elevation Certificate with the building permit application.City of Tampa: Flood Information
- Historic review
- The City Architectural Review Commission reviews development inside local historic districts and on local landmarks. Ask City staff whether a specific parcel is covered.City of Tampa: About Architectural Review and Historic Preservation
- Tree permit
- Tree removals of 5 inches or more across the trunk need a City permit, and every removal is subject to mitigation. For a new home, tree removals are marked on the site plan and reviewed with the building permit.City of Tampa: Tree Resources
- Height and setbacks
- Single-family lots sit in RS zoning districts. The City code assessment lists RS-60 at 6,000 sq ft minimum lot area, 25 ft front yard, 7 ft side yard and 35 ft maximum height. RS-50 and RS-75 differ, and the City is rewriting its code. Confirm the parcel zoning first.City of Tampa: Land Development Code Assessment (Feb 2025 draft)
Beach Park
- Flood zone
- Check the parcel on the FEMA flood map before design. Inside a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, the City asks for an Elevation Certificate with the building permit application.City of Tampa: Flood Information
- Historic review
- The City Architectural Review Commission reviews development inside local historic districts and on local landmarks. Ask City staff whether a specific parcel is covered.City of Tampa: About Architectural Review and Historic Preservation
- Tree permit
- Tree removals of 5 inches or more across the trunk need a City permit, and every removal is subject to mitigation. For a new home, tree removals are marked on the site plan and reviewed with the building permit.City of Tampa: Tree Resources
- Height and setbacks
- Single-family lots sit in RS zoning districts. The City code assessment lists RS-60 at 6,000 sq ft minimum lot area, 25 ft front yard, 7 ft side yard and 35 ft maximum height. RS-50 and RS-75 differ, and the City is rewriting its code. Confirm the parcel zoning first.City of Tampa: Land Development Code Assessment (Feb 2025 draft)
Bayshore Beautiful
- Flood zone
- Check the parcel on the FEMA flood map before design. Inside a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, the City asks for an Elevation Certificate with the building permit application.City of Tampa: Flood Information
- Historic review
- The City Architectural Review Commission reviews development inside local historic districts and on local landmarks. Ask City staff whether a specific parcel is covered.City of Tampa: About Architectural Review and Historic Preservation
- Tree permit
- Tree removals of 5 inches or more across the trunk need a City permit, and every removal is subject to mitigation. For a new home, tree removals are marked on the site plan and reviewed with the building permit.City of Tampa: Tree Resources
- Height and setbacks
- Single-family lots sit in RS zoning districts. The City code assessment lists RS-60 at 6,000 sq ft minimum lot area, 25 ft front yard, 7 ft side yard and 35 ft maximum height. RS-50 and RS-75 differ, and the City is rewriting its code. Confirm the parcel zoning first.City of Tampa: Land Development Code Assessment (Feb 2025 draft)
Sunset Park
- Flood zone
- Check the parcel on the FEMA flood map before design. Inside a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, the City asks for an Elevation Certificate with the building permit application.City of Tampa: Flood Information
- Historic review
- The City Architectural Review Commission reviews development inside local historic districts and on local landmarks. Ask City staff whether a specific parcel is covered.City of Tampa: About Architectural Review and Historic Preservation
- Tree permit
- Tree removals of 5 inches or more across the trunk need a City permit, and every removal is subject to mitigation. For a new home, tree removals are marked on the site plan and reviewed with the building permit.City of Tampa: Tree Resources
- Height and setbacks
- Single-family lots sit in RS zoning districts. The City code assessment lists RS-60 at 6,000 sq ft minimum lot area, 25 ft front yard, 7 ft side yard and 35 ft maximum height. RS-50 and RS-75 differ, and the City is rewriting its code. Confirm the parcel zoning first.City of Tampa: Land Development Code Assessment (Feb 2025 draft)
Neighborhood pages
Davis IslandsDavis Islands is a City of Tampa island neighborhood in Hillsborough Bay, built in the 1920s from dredged bay bottom. Building here means waterfront flood rules, an Elevation Certificate where FEMA maps require one, and City tree and permit review. Check the parcel flood zone and zoning first.9 sourced facts
Hyde ParkPart of Hyde Park is a City of Tampa local historic district, so new construction inside it goes through Architectural Review Commission design review. The district grew by 184 buildings in 2023. Confirm whether a parcel is inside the boundary before design, then check flood zone and zoning.8 sourced facts
Palma CeiaPalma Ceia is a South Tampa neighborhood founded in 1903, with a Bay to Bay Boulevard business district planned by the City in 2021. Building here starts with the parcel zoning, flood zone and tree rules. Standard commercial lots are 50 by 100 feet, which shapes redevelopment on the main streets.9 sourced facts
Beach ParkBeach Park is a bayfront South Tampa neighborhood platted in 1924 on the Interbay Peninsula. Building here means checking the parcel flood zone first, since the City lists drainage and flooding relief projects in the area. Tree permits and zoning also apply. Many original 1920s homes are still standing.9 sourced facts
Bayshore BeautifulBayshore Beautiful is a South Tampa neighborhood along Bayshore Boulevard and Hillsborough Bay. Its neighborhood association says there are no deed restrictions. Building here means checking the waterfront flood zone, City zoning and tree rules. Ballast Point Park is nearby.9 sourced facts
Sunset ParkSunset Park is a bayfront South Tampa neighborhood on the west side of the peninsula, with streets named for poets. The City lists flood relief work on Lamb Canal here. Building here means checking the parcel flood zone, zoning and tree rules first.6 sourced facts
Start your home.
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Start your homeOr call (813) 956-1972