Land Development Code Update Meeting 3-2-2026

The City of Tampa held a public meeting on March 2, 2026, to discuss the ongoing update of the Land Development Code (LDC), a comprehensive effort to modernize and synthesize the city's zoning and land use regulations, which have not been holistically updated since the late 1980s. The meeting focused on the first installment of the updated LDC, covering zoning districts, use regulations, and definitions. Consultants from Clarion Associates presented the draft, highlighting efforts to improve predictability in development processes, consolidate zoning districts, and introduce new mixed-use districts to support walkable communities and housing affordability. The update aims to make the code more user-friendly and consistent, with opportunities for public feedback and iterative revisions. Key topics included the consolidation of residential districts, the introduction of minimum sizes for planned developments to reduce spot zoning, and the integration of use regulations into a single article. Attendees raised concerns about preserving distinct neighborhood characteristics, urban agriculture, accessory dwelling units, and floodplain regulations. The city emphasized that the draft is not final and encouraged ongoing community engagement to refine the code before adoption.