Section Updates for the Tampa Comprehensive Plan
Overview
The Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission, in collaboration with the City Planning Department, is overseeing a multi-phase plan update designed to make comprehensive revisions to the Tampa Comprehensive Plan, looking ahead to the year 2045. This phase includes revisions to the following Sections: Recreation and Open Space, Capital Improvements, Intergovernmental Coordination, Solid Waste, and Definitions.
More information and draft language for each Section is available for review in each Section tab below. Community input is essential, as it lays the foundation for a vision of Tampa’s future. Please leave public comments on the drafts in the public comment box below – all comments will be reviewed, considered, and included in packets for the Planning Commission and City Council. If you have any questions, please email the staff listed at the bottom of the project page.
Missed our in-person and virtual engagement opportunities but still want to learn more? Check out the recording of our June 5 virtual engagement meeting for an overview of the Sections being updated.
Sections
Parks and open space provide a wide range of benefits to all residents, including physical and emotional health, community building, improved air and water quality, access to nature, and economic development. This Section establishes a framework to ensure the City of Tampa’s parks and open spaces are accessible and well-maintained while meeting the needs of current and future residents and promoting environmental protection and resilience. The Recreation and Open Space Section provides a long-range vision to ensure that Tampa’s parks and open space continue to provide a variety of benefits to residents for years to come.
The City of Tampa is committed to ensuring public facilities and infrastructure keep pace with growth and community needs. This Section establishes the framework for prioritizing capital projects, ensuring financial feasibility, and aligning investments with community needs, resilience strategies, and fiscal sustainability. This Section supports the City’s long-term vision by ensuring public infrastructure investments contribute to a high quality of life.
Intergovernmental coordination ensures collaboration among various governments, agencies, and departments through increased efficiency in meetings, communication, and data sharing. This Section establishes a framework to ensure the City of Tampa can effectively coordinate with other jurisdictions and agencies on a variety of topics, including growth and development impacts, environmental issues, regional transportation, schools, and airport and port Master Plans. The Intergovernmental Coordination Section ensures continued discussion and progress on important long-range issues for the future of Tampa and the surrounding region.
The Solid Waste Section outlines the framework necessary to manage the City’s solid waste program in an efficient, environmentally responsible, and sustainable manner. As the population grows and consumption patterns evolve, effective solid waste management becomes increasingly critical to protect public health, preserve natural resources, and reduce environmental impacts. This Section addresses collection and disposal systems, recycling and composting initiatives, and opportunities for improvement. It supports long-term goals for waste reduction, resource recovery, and the development of resilient infrastructure that meets both present and future needs.
Clear and consistent definitions are essential to understanding and implementing the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the City of Tampa’s Comprehensive Plan. This Section provides standardized terminology to ensure clarity, reduce ambiguity, and support consistent interpretation and application across all Sections of the Plan. The Definitions Section helps guide effective decision-making and implementation by establishing shared language.
Phases
Phase 1
- Development of draft language
- Spring 2025 – Present
Completed
Phase 2
- Public and stakeholder review and comment open
- June 4 in-person engagement meeting
- June 5 virtual engagement meeting
- June 2025 – August 2025
- Completed
Phase 3
- Recommendation and transmittal
- July 14 Planning Commission Briefing
- August 11 Planning Commission Public Hearing
- October 30 City Council Transmittal Hearing
- Completed
Phase 4
- Amendment adoption
- January 29, 2026 (Exact Timing TBD) City Council Adoption Hearing #1
Upcoming
Public Comment
Leave public comments on the drafts in the public comment box below – all comments will be reviewed, considered, and included in packets for the Planning Commission and City Council. We encourage engagement, please let us know what you think!