• The Hillsborough Planning Commission unanimously supported the overlay on August 14, 2023.
• The Tampa City Council subsequently voted to approve the initiative.

This locally-driven overlay was written by THCA between 2019–2021 and formally submitted to the City in July 2021. While not intended to be a cure-all, the overlay serves as an important interim measure while the City continues work on a comprehensive Transit-Oriented Development framework.

• Reduce reliance on automobiles and promote transit-oriented development
• Allow the free market to determine parking needs, rather than arbitrary minimums
• Preserve Tampa Heights’ character by encouraging walkable and bikeable development
• Add to the housing supply to help support affordability
• Encourage small- to medium-scale commercial development by reducing excessive parking requirements

• Creates a new zoning district covering all of Tampa Heights except the CRA area (Armature Works), which has its own master development standards
• Allows adjacent on-street parking to count toward overall residential and commercial parking requirements
• Allows Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) with a Special Use Permit
• Permits ADUs up to 1,100 sq. ft. and greater than 15 ft. in height, enabling traditional garage apartments
• Allows front porches to encroach up to 10 ft. into the setback (previously 8 ft.)
• Allows townhomes to design around courtyards without requiring a Design Exception
• Exempts properties under 20,000 sq. ft. fronting Franklin Street from parking minimums
• Reduces parking requirements for commercial and mixed-use projects under 20,000 sq. ft. to 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft.
• Eliminates parking requirements entirely for commercial projects under 1,500 sq. ft.
• Allows bicycle parking to offset up to 10% of required parking at a rate of 5 bikes per parking space