The City of Tampa is considering an increase to its Multi-Modal Transportation Impact Fee, a charge that helps fund public infrastructure improvements needed for new development. The fee, which has not been raised since 1989, is typically paid when a building permit is issued and is intended to offset the financial impact of new construction on the city’s infrastructure.
Tampa first adopted a Transportation Impact Fee in 1986 and updated it in 2015 to include additional transit modes. According to city officials, updating the fee would provide necessary funds to keep up with population growth, inflation, rising construction costs, increasing travel demand, and other needs covered by the fee structure. The city notes that these fees cannot be used for maintenance or repair projects.
Florida law currently limits local governments to raising impact fees once every four years and caps increases at 50 percent. To exceed this cap under “extraordinary circumstances,” cities must conduct a special study, hold two public workshops, and secure approval from two-thirds of the City Council. However, starting January 1, 2026, SB 1080 will impose stricter requirements: only governments that have raised fees in the past five years can use the extraordinary circumstances option; any increase will require a unanimous vote by the governing body; and higher fees must be phased in over two to four years.
The city aims to increase its impact fees before SB 1080 takes effect on January 1. Officials cite several extraordinary circumstances justifying an increase: no adjustment since 1989; comparatively low fees relative to neighboring communities; construction costs outpacing general inflation; continued population and job growth; increased multi-modal travel demand; more roadways operating beyond capacity; and decreasing alternative funding sources.
Two public workshops are scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2025, and Thursday, October 30, 2025. Both meetings will begin at 9:00 A.M. in City Council Chambers at Old City Hall (315 East Kennedy Boulevard). These workshops follow Tampa City Council’s approval of Resolution No. 2025-812 on September 11th.
According to the official notice: “Section 163.31801, Florida Statutes, authorizes local governments to adopt impact fees to fund the infrastructure necessitated by new growth. The Legislature recognizes that impact fees are an outgrowth of the home rule power of a local government to provide certain services within its jurisdiction. The City of Tampa originally adopted a Transportation Impact Fee in 1986 and in 2015 updated its fee structure to a Multi-Modal Transportation Impact Fee to incorporate additional transit modes. The City of Tampa is considering an increase to its Multi-Modal Transportation Impact Fee. Section 163.31801, Florida Statutes, provides certain phase-in limitations that restrict a local government’s ability to increase the fee beyond certain thresholds. Pursuant to section 163.31801(6)(g), Florida Statutes, the City of Tampa may increase its fee over the threshold set out in section 163.31801(6)(d), Florida Statutes. In addition to other statutory requirements, the City of Tampa may increase its Multi-Modal Transportation Impact Fee above the threshold after holding two publicly noticed workshops to consider the extraordinary circumstances necessitating the need to exceed the statutory phase-in limitations.”
“At the public workshops…the City Council will consider whether these extraordinary circumstances exist.”
Members of the public can participate either in person or virtually using communications media technology as outlined by state statutes and rules (instructions available at http://www.tampa.gov/city-council/quasi). Preregistration is required for virtual participation.
Persons with disabilities who need accommodations should contact Tampa’s ADA Coordinator at least forty-eight hours prior via phone (813-274-3964), email (TampaADA@tampagov.net), or online form (https://tampa.gov/ADARequest).
For further information or questions about these meetings or participation options:
306 East Jackson Street
Tampa, Florida 33602
(813) 274-8211
