--- title: "Building a Home in Davis Islands, Tampa: Rules and Facts" description: "Davis Islands is a City of Tampa island neighborhood in Hillsborough Bay, built in the 1920s from dredged bay bottom." url: https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/davis-islands publisher: Halo Homes phone: +1-813-956-1972 quote: https://build813.multisites.ai/contact --- ![Outdoor kitchen with a grill and stainless hood under a covered balcony](https://build813.multisites.ai/_astro/ladoga-outdoor-kitchen.jlm4iJcV_1lybjL.avif) # Building in Davis Islands Davis 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. ## 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. NeighborhoodDavis IslandsHyde ParkPalma CeiaBeach ParkBayshore BeautifulSunset Park 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)](https://www.tampa.gov/sites/default/files/document/2024/final-vulnerability-analysis-report.pdf) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/historic-preservation/about-us) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/construction-services/tree-permitting/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)](https://www.tampa.gov/sites/default/files/document/2025/tampa-ldc-assessment-public-draft-feb-2025.pdf) [Building in Davis Islands](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/davis-islands) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/tss-stormwater/info/flood) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/historic-preservation/info/architectural-review-commission/hyde-park-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](https://www.tampa.gov/construction-services/tree-permitting/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)](https://www.tampa.gov/sites/default/files/document/2025/tampa-ldc-assessment-public-draft-feb-2025.pdf) [Building in Hyde Park](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/hyde-park) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/tss-stormwater/info/flood) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/historic-preservation/about-us) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/construction-services/tree-permitting/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)](https://www.tampa.gov/sites/default/files/document/2025/tampa-ldc-assessment-public-draft-feb-2025.pdf) [Building in Palma Ceia](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/palma-ceia) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/tss-stormwater/info/flood) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/historic-preservation/about-us) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/construction-services/tree-permitting/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)](https://www.tampa.gov/sites/default/files/document/2025/tampa-ldc-assessment-public-draft-feb-2025.pdf) [Building in Beach Park](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/beach-park) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/tss-stormwater/info/flood) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/historic-preservation/about-us) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/construction-services/tree-permitting/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)](https://www.tampa.gov/sites/default/files/document/2025/tampa-ldc-assessment-public-draft-feb-2025.pdf) [Building in Bayshore Beautiful](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/bayshore-beautiful) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/tss-stormwater/info/flood) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/historic-preservation/about-us) 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](https://www.tampa.gov/construction-services/tree-permitting/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)](https://www.tampa.gov/sites/default/files/document/2025/tampa-ldc-assessment-public-draft-feb-2025.pdf) [Building in Sunset Park](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/sunset-park) ## Davis Islands, _by the facts._ Distances from Davis Islands Downtown Tampa 1.9 mi Tampa International Airport 6.3 mi Straight-line miles from the neighborhood centroid (coordinates on its Wikipedia page, rounded) to the Downtown Tampa and Tampa International Airport coordinates on their Wikipedia pages. Estimates, not driving distance. 1. History D.P. Davis created the islands from two small natural islands at the mouth of the Hillsborough River. [City of Tampa: Davis Islands](https://www.tampa.gov/neighborhoods/davis-islands) 2. History The land was built up from mud dredged from the bottom of Tampa Bay. [City of Tampa: Davis Islands](https://www.tampa.gov/neighborhoods/davis-islands) 3. Location Peter O. Knight Airport, Davis Islands Yacht Club and Tampa General Hospital are on the islands. [City of Tampa: Davis Islands](https://www.tampa.gov/neighborhoods/davis-islands) 4. Parks and water Marjorie Park and the Marjorie Park Municipal Yacht Basin are on the islands. [City of Tampa: Davis Islands](https://www.tampa.gov/neighborhoods/davis-islands) 5. Location A canal fully separates part of the land, which is why the name is plural. [City of Tampa: Davis Islands](https://www.tampa.gov/neighborhoods/davis-islands) 6. History Davis opened the first land sales in early October 1924. [Tampa Magazines: The History of Davis Islands](https://tampamagazines.com/davis-islands-history/) 7. History The Bay Isle Building, finished in 1925, anchors the business district. [Tampa Magazines: The History of Davis Islands](https://tampamagazines.com/davis-islands-history/) 8. History Early single-family homes followed design guidelines set by the original developer. [Tampa Magazines: The History of Davis Islands](https://tampamagazines.com/davis-islands-history/) 9. City projects The City lists a Severn Pumping Station Rehabilitation project on its Davis Islands page. [City of Tampa: Davis Islands](https://www.tampa.gov/neighborhoods/davis-islands) ## In the journal - [Davis Islands flood zones and seawalls: what city records say](https://build813.multisites.ai/journal/davis-islands-flood-zone-and-seawalls) - [How Davis Islands was built from bay mud in the 1920s](https://build813.multisites.ai/journal/davis-islands-history-built-from-bay-mud) ## Other neighborhoods - [Hyde Park](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/hyde-park) - [Palma Ceia](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/palma-ceia) - [Beach Park](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/beach-park) - [Bayshore Beautiful](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/bayshore-beautiful) - [Sunset Park](https://build813.multisites.ai/neighborhoods/sunset-park) ![Front of a two-story white modern home with wide stone steps and palms](https://build813.multisites.ai/_astro/front-entry-stair.uOUDI-Bb_ZQcaix.avif) ## Start your home. Tell Halo about your lot, your plans and your timing. A call or a short note is enough to begin. [Start your home](https://build813.multisites.ai/contact) Or call [(813) 956-1972](tel:+1-813-956-1972)