Design standards.

Tampa City Code § 22-117

in effect

Sec. 22-117. - Design standards. All benches placed or maintained within the corporate limits of the city as permitted under the provisions of this article shall be designed in such a manner to ensure such benches are placed in locations that do not interfere with the safe operation of traffic control equipment and movement of the traveling public. All benches are subject to the criteria enumerated in this section which shall be depicted on a site plan that has been signed and sealed by a professional engineer. (a) Such bench shall not create any safety hazard(s) or physical or visual obstruction to vehicular, bicycle, and/or pedestrian traffic. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this article, such benches shall be located only at bus stops along active bus routes recognized as such by any regional transit authority or as near thereto as the physical characteristics of the area and the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic will permit. Benches may be placed at locations other than recognized bus stops when, in the determination of the mobility department, there is an identified need for a bench as a public convenience and the proposed location is not one which will be mistaken for a bus stop or otherwise lead to the confusion of the public. (1) At locations other than recognized bus stops, if a need exists to place appropriate signage, such signage shall be placed alongside or affixed to the bench to prevent confusion. (c) The bench shall be located out of the clear zone/recovery area as defined in the Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Streets and Highways, Table 3-15. (d) The bench shall not create a sight obstruction as defined in the Florida Greenbook - Manual of Uniform Minimum Standards for Design, Construction and Maintenance for Street and Highways. (e) The bench shall adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and Elements Policy to ensure accessibility and compliance with established standards. (1) Benches placed on sidewalks shall maintain a minimum four-foot pedestrian walkway. (2) Benches shall be placed on level ground which cannot exceed a two (2) percent cross slope. (f) The bench shall adhere to the Florida Building Code Section 903, which requires: (1) Seats that are forty-two (42) inches long minimum and twenty (20) inches deep minimum and twenty-four (24) inches deep maximum; and (2) Back supports that are forty-two (42) inches long minimum and shall extend from a point two (2) inches maximum above the seat surface to a point eighteen (18) inches minimum above the seat surface. Back support shall be two and one-half (2½) inches maximum from the rear edge of the seat measured horizontally. (g) The overall height of the bench shall not exceed forty-eight (48) inches. (h) No bench shall be placed so that the angle of its long diversion in relation to the curbline or edge of pavement shall be greater than thirty (30) degrees. (i) Each bench shall display in a conspicuous manner the name of the owner and/or sponsor of the bench and website or such other identifying symbol, mark, design, or abbreviation as is acceptable by the mobility department. (j) Benches shall be constructed to sustain a minimum load of one thousand (1,000) pounds. (k) Metal benches or equivalent must be affixed to a concrete pad or sidewalk. (l) Benches may not negatively impact the operation of a traffic control device. (m) On request by the mobility department director or designee, applicant must provide right-of-way lines as established and mapped by a Florida Professional Surveyor and Mapper or as depicted on signed and sealed roadway plans. (Ord. No. 89-244, § 2(34-92), 9-28-89; Ord. No. 2024-107, § 3, 10-17-2024)

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=COOR_CH22STSI_ARTIADPR_DIV3FEAUTYPEIN_SDIVMUBESHBIKIDIAD_S22-117DESTFetched: 10/28/2026