What is the Urban Service Area?
The Urban Service Area (USA) is more than just a boundary on a map; it’s a strategy that gets a greater return on your tax dollars by focusing new growth and redevelopment in areas with existing or planned infrastructure.
The USA allows for the planning of greater mobility options, central water and sewer, and a mix of commercial and employment opportunities by aligning and maximizing public and private investments in existing and future infrastructure.
The focus is to direct 80% growth into the USA for opportunities for redevelopment and infill in appropriate areas and preserving the character of existing suburban residential neighborhoods.
By guiding growth to be predominately in the USA, we create more livable and desirable communities, while also preserving the rural lifestyles and our numerous environmental and agricultural assets.
In 1993, at the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners adopted the Urban Service Area as part of the Unincorporated Hillsborough County long-range comprehensive plan.
As the population grows, so does the demand for vital infrastructure — libraries, parks, utilities, schools, roads, police and fire services. The USA supports efficient delivery of these services, helping maintain quality of life for residents.
The USA helps residents continue to have the freedom to choose between rural, suburban, or urban living, by preserving and planning for a variety of lifestyles and community types.
By 2050, unincorporated Hillsborough County is projected to grow by over 530,000 additional residents and over 430,000 more jobs. This rapid population and jobs growth will create a huge demand for the development of new homes and infrastructure services, as well as retail, commercial and industrial land uses.
Hillsborough County continues to identify priority development areas and provide incentives to maximize existing services in support of cost-effective growth. This approach reinforces the goals of the USA growth management tool and is used in determining when and where any adjustments to the boundary should be considered.
