The Project
Tampa, FL 33606 (South Tampa) County: City of Tampa Permits Division (not Hillsborough County)
Project: Detached ADU 620 sq ft Backyard Guest House
Service: ADU Site Plan (SB 943)
Timeline: 24 hours
The Situation
Post SB 943 (effective July 1, 2025), the homeowner wanted to add a detached 620 sq ft backyard guest house to their South Tampa lot. The property is in RS-50 zoning standard single-family residential.
The owner called the Hillsborough County building department to start the permit process.
They were told this property is in the City of Tampa a separate permit jurisdiction with its own portal, its own plan review team, and its own submission requirements. Two completely different systems. City of Tampa mailing address does not mean Hillsborough County permit.
The Problem
A Tampa mailing address can mean two entirely different permit jurisdictions. The boundary between the City of Tampa and unincorporated Hillsborough County runs through neighborhoods, sometimes down the middle of streets.
Submit to the wrong portal and the application is returned. Typically 2–3 weeks before you find out. Then you restart.
What We Did
We verified the parcel address against the City of Tampa’s annexation boundary map. Property is within the city limits. City of Tampa Permits Division portal, not Hillsborough County.
We prepared the ADU site plan under Florida SB 943 standards:
- ADU footprint: 12 × 52 ft detached structure, 620 sq ft total
- Rear setback: 4 feet (SB 943 minimum for detached ADU labeled “4 ft minimum per F.S. SB 943”)
- Side setbacks: 4 feet each side
- Setback from primary structure: 8 feet within City of Tampa RS-50 accessory structure separation standard
- Required parking space: 1 space shown for ADU, in addition to existing 2-car garage serving the primary residence
- Utility connection: Noted new water and electrical meter for the ADU
- Lot coverage calculation: 38% existing + ADU addition = 42% total. City of Tampa RS-50 maximum: 50%. Within limit.
- SB 943 compliance notation: “Detached ADU permitted per Florida SB 943, effective 07/01/2025”
Formatted for City of Tampa Permits Division portal.
The Result
Submitted to the correct portal. Approved in the first review cycle.
The ADU is now permitted and under construction.
The lesson: A Tampa mailing address is not a Tampa permit. We verify jurisdiction against the actual annexation boundary before drawing a single line.
Tags: ADU · SB 943 · Tampa · Hillsborough County · City of Tampa · Jurisdiction · Florida
Have a similar project?
Send your address and project type — we'll confirm requirements and price within 2 hours.
