TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa city leaders are weighing a substantial increase in transportation impact fees that developers pay: money that would go toward infrastructure improvements needed to support the region’s rapid growth.
The fees have not been raised since 1989.
City officials say the additional revenue would fund critical transportation projects, including roadways, traffic signals, intersection upgrades, and new bridges.
What You Need To Know
Tampa city leaders are weighing a substantial increase in transportation impact fees
City officials say the additional revenue would fund critical transportation projects, including roadways, traffic signals, intersection upgrades, and new bridges
Impact fees are money that would go toward infrastructure improvements needed to support the region’s rapid growth
“Tampa has seen significant growth, and our transportation needs are expanding,” said Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who supports the proposal. “Some level of increase is obviously warranted, and we want to make sure we do it in a sensible way so we can invest in local communities.”
Impact fees are restricted to improvements in the immediate area of new development. “It’s not a widespread tax or a significant revenue enhancer for the city,” Viera noted.
Brandon Campbell, interim director of the Tampa Mobility Department, said the proposed fee increases would be phased in over four years, starting in June 2026. He added that state rules governing how impact fees can be spent were updated about a decade ago, giving cities like Tampa more flexibility to address needs in dense and growing areas.
But not everyone is convinced the plan won’t have downsides.
Steve Cona, president and CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors – Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, said the increases may eventually deter development.
“I don’t think initially, but as the fees continue to increase… Tampa cannot become the most expensive place to build and still expect affordable outcomes for residents and businesses,” Cona said. He also expressed concern that higher fees combined with long permitting delays could create a system “where projects simply cannot afford to move forward.”
The city is proposing an approximately 375% increase on single-family homes, which would raise the developer’s fee to more than $6,600 per home. Fees for multifamily developments, office and retail space, and industrial projects would also rise, though the final structure is still being finalized.
Tampa City Council will hold another work session next week to discuss and vote on the proposal before it advances to the full council.