LEGISLATIVE

Tampa City Charter pt. A, art. II

in effect

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.01 City Council—Composition—Districts.

Section 2.01. - City Council—Composition—Districts. There shall be a city council in which all legislative power shall be vested. The city council shall be composed of seven members, each representing a district. The territory of districts 1 through 3 shall be identical and shall be composed of the entire territory of the city. The members of the city council representing each of districts 1 through 3 shall be elected at large. The territory of districts 4 through 7 shall be determined prior to each regular municipal election by dividing the territory of the city into four districts numbered 4 through 7 containing as nearly as possible equal population as provided by law (Florida Statute 79-573, as amended), or in the absence of state law, by ordinance of the city council. Prior to November 1 of the year immediately preceding each city election (unless superseded by general or special law), the Hillsborough County City County Planning Commission (the "Planning Commission") will, using the latest published official census figures, perform the calculations necessary to make the electoral districts of the City of Tampa, Florida, as equal in population as required by the United States Constitution. The Planning Commission will hold two public hearings, no later than 270 days prior to any city election for city council. The Planning Commission will then submit this information to the city council no later than 180 days prior to city council elections. The members of the city council representing each of districts 4 through 7 shall be elected only by the electors within such districts. (Ord. No. 8148-A, § 1, 1-6-83; Ord. No. 2018-129, § 2, 8-23-18, election of 3-5-19)

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.02 Qualifications—Limitation on Terms.

Section 2.02. - Qualifications—Limitation on Terms. Each member of the city council shall have been a resident and elector of the city for one year immediately preceding the commencement of the term of office for which elected and shall continue to be a resident and elector of the city during the term of office. Additionally, the members of the city council representing districts 4 through 7 shall have been residents of the respective districts from which elected for six months immediately preceding the commencement of the term of office, and each shall continue to be a resident of the district from which elected during the term of office. No person who has, or but for resignation would have, served as a member of the city council for two consecutive, full terms shall be elected as a council member for the succeeding term; except that a person who has represented districts 1, 2, or 3 may run as a candidate for city council in district 4, 5, 6, or 7 if they meet the residency qualification, and may, if elected, assume a seat on the city council immediately following their two consecutive, full terms; and except that a person who has served as a city council member representing either district 4, 5, 6, or 7 may run as a candidate to represent district 1, 2, or 3 and may, if elected, assume a seat on city council immediately following their two consecutive, full terms representing district 4, 5, 6 or 7. Provided however, without exception, no person who has, or but for resignation would have, served as a member of the city council for a total of four consecutive, full terms shall be elected as a council member for the succeeding term. (Ord. No. 8148-A, § 2, 1-6-83; Ord. No. 2023-3, § 1, 1-5-23, election of 3-7-23; Ord. No. 2023-73, § 1, 5-18-23, election of 3-5-19)

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.03 Organization.

Section 2.03. - Organization. Immediately upon taking office the city council members shall meet for the purpose of organization and at such meeting shall: (1) choose a chair who shall preside at all meetings and who shall from time to time appoint committees as the council shall deem necessary for the conduct of the affairs of the council, and (2) choose a chair pro tem who shall preside in the absence of the chair. The chair and chair pro tem shall be council members representing any council district. The council members may adopt such bylaws, regulations, and rules of procedure for their own guidance and government as they may deem expedient, to compel the attendance of the members, and to enforce the same by fine or penalty, if they so elect. (Ord. No. 8148-A, § 3, 1-6-83; Ord. No. 89-34, § 1, 1-26-89; Ord. No. 2023-73, § 2, 5-18-23, election of 3-5-19)

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.04 Staff.

Section 2.04. - Staff. The city council shall have as its staff the following who shall be responsible to the city council through the chair of the council: (a) Budget Analyst. The city council is authorized to employ a Budget Analyst II or an individual with similar qualifications, pursuant to the city's position classification code, to assist in the budgetary matters of the city council. The city council by ordinance shall define the qualifications, pay and responsibilities of said employee in accordance with the city's position classification code; (b) City Council Attorney. The city council may employ one city council attorney, whose salary and qualifications shall be set by city council in accordance with those established for comparable assistant city attorneys. Said city council attorney shall: (1) serve in an advisory capacity to the city council, and shall perform such duties, including drafting of ordinances, legal research, legal advice to individual city council members relating to city council matters and providing independent advisory opinions, as requested by the city council; and (2) be subject to termination only by vote of the city council. Said city council attorney shall not file suit, bring, or defend any action in court on behalf of the city council, the mayor, the several departments, officers and boards of the city government except with written authorization of the city attorney. No action or opinion of said city council attorney shall be construed to be the official legal position of the city, and such official legal position and actions shall be solely within the scope of the powers and duties of the city attorney; (c) each city council member may employ one fulltime equivalent legislative aide, whose hours are subject to the discretion of the council member; (d) Other Staff: The city council may create and fill other staff positions for the purpose of assisting in the performance of its legislative function; however, such other staff positions must be approved by an affirmative vote of no fewer than five members of the city council; funds for such positions must be found in the city council's budget, and, any additional costs thereof must first be approved by the mayor. (Ord. No. 94-264, § 1, 12-1-94; Ord. No. 2008-120, § 1, 7-31-08; Ord. No. 2018-129, § 3, 8-23-18, election of 3-5-19)

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.05 Exercise.

Section 2.05. - Exercise. All legislative powers of the council shall be exercised by ordinance; all administrative powers as are conferred upon the council by the charter shall be exercised by resolution; intracity communications and internal determination may be by motion.

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.06 Ordinances and Resolutions.

Section 2.06. - Ordinances and Resolutions. Each ordinance or resolution, except those making appropriations, shall be confined to one subject and matters properly connected therewith, which subject shall be briefly expressed in the title. Ordinances or resolutions making appropriations shall be confined to the subject of appropriations.

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.07 Action.

Section 2.07. - Action. The council shall act only by ordinance or resolution; four members shall constitute a quorum; no ordinance or resolution or motion shall be passed, adopted, or made except upon the affirmative vote of four members. Committee action shall be by motion and shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the committee.

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.08 Reading.

Section 2.08. - Reading. Except as provided in Section 2.09(b), a proposed ordinance shall be read only by title on two separate days, provided that upon demand of three members the final reading of an ordinance shall be in full; the ayes and nays shall be taken upon the passage of all ordinances and entered upon the minutes. (Ord. No. 7497-A, § 1, 9-18-80)

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.09 Procedure.

Section 2.09. - Procedure. (a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), each ordinance shall be noticed once in a newspaper of general circulation in the city, and on the city's website in accordance with the minimum requirements imposed by state law; if none, at least seven (7) days prior to adoption, which notice of proposed enactment shall state the date, time, and place of the meeting at which such ordinance shall be considered, the title or titles of proposed ordinances, and the place or places where such proposed ordinances may be inspected by the public and shall advise that interested parties may appear at the meeting and be heard with respect thereto; provided, however, the city council by two-thirds vote of the entire city council may enact an emergency ordinance without complying with this subsection and without the requirement on two separate days provided that the ordinance shall contain a finding and declaration by the city council of the emergency; provided, further, no emergency ordinance shall be enacted which enacts or amends a land use plan or which rezones private real property. (b) Enactment or ordinances initiated by the city council or its designee which rezone private real property shall be enacted pursuant to the uniform procedure set out in Chapter 166.041(3)(c), Florida Statutes (including all amendments thereto), which is hereby adopted and made a part of this charter. A copy of such law shall be at all times on file and accessible to the public in the office of the city clerk. (Ord. No. 7497, § 2, 9-18-80; Ord. No. 8158-A, § 1, 1-13-83; Ord. No. 2018-129, § 4, 8-23-18, election of 3-5-19)

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.10 Veto.

Section 2.10. - Veto. Every ordinance that may be passed by the council shall be presented to the mayor before becoming a law; if the Mayor approves it the Mayor shall sign it, but if not the Mayor shall return it with their objections to the council and such objections shall be entered upon the minute book, and the council thereupon shall proceed to reconsider the ordinance at its next regular meeting at which there is a quorum. If after reconsideration it shall be passed by two-thirds vote of all members, the vote shall be entered upon the minute book, and it shall become a law. If any ordinance shall not be returned to the council within fourteen days after it is presented to the mayor, the same shall become effective in like manner as if the Mayor had signed it. (Ord. No. 2023-73, § 3, 5-18-23, election of 3-5-19)

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.11 Effective.

Section 2.11. - Effective. All ordinances shall become effective immediately upon becoming a law unless otherwise provided therein, and all resolutions shall become effective ten days after passage or as provided therein.

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.12 Adoption by Reference.

Section 2.12. - Adoption by Reference. The city council by ordinance may provide procedures for the adoption by reference of any codification of ordinances, technical codes, and similar publications provided that such procedures afford reasonable notice and opportunity to the public for inspection thereof and to be heard thereon prior to the final adoption thereof.

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.13 Recording and Authentication.

Section 2.13. - Recording and Authentication. Every ordinance upon becoming a law shall be recorded in a book kept by the city clerk for that purpose and shall be authenticated by the signatures of the presiding officer and the clerk and approved by the signature of the mayor unless passed over their veto or becoming a law without said approval. (Ord. No. 2023-73, § 4, 5-18-23, election of 3-5-19)

Tampa City Charter, art. II, § 2.14 Investigations.

Section 2.14. - Investigations. In the exercise of its legislative powers the council or any special committee thereof shall have the power to conduct such investigations and hold such hearings as the council shall deem necessary, expedient, and proper and shall have the power to compel the attendance of witnesses and production of evidence by the issuance of all forms of subpoena and shall have the power to punish for contempt by fine not exceeding One Hundred Dollars, and each day any such contempt shall continue shall be deemed a separate offense.

Source: City of Tampa, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/tampa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CHRELA_PTACH_ARTIILEFetched: 10/28/2026