Plan approval application; review; approval and denial; prerequisites; conditions.
Tampa City Code § 27-287.5
in effectSec. 27-287.5. - Plan approval application; review; approval and denial; prerequisites; conditions.
(a) Submission. Before any person legally entitled to apply for and receive plan approval under the provisions hereof, they shall submit to the city a proposed upland habitat site plan for the entire parcel.
(b) Application. Any person legally entitled to apply for and receive plan approval under the provisions of this article shall make such application in writing to the coordinator on forms provided for that purpose. Every applicant for plan approval shall give a description of the character of the work proposed to be done and the location, ownership, occupancy and use of the premises in connection therewith. The coordinator shall require plans, specifications or drawings and such other information as necessary and pertinent prior to the granting of plan approval. The application for a upland habitat plan approval shall identify the plans, specifications or drawings necessary and pertinent for plan review. If necessary, the coordinator may develop an upland habitat development review manual which may further identify and explain the information required to review the application.
(c) Review of application. An upland habitat plan shall be applied for and reviewed subject to the following:
(1) For any parcel containing a wetland or natural body of water, no plan approval shall be issued until the application has also been reviewed and wetland jurisdictional lines established by the EPC or other appropriate governmental agency. The applicant shall transmit a copy of an application to the EPC for review when the coordinator receives a complete application and determines, with the aid of the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Services's "Soil Survey of Hillsborough County, Florida", an on-site inspection, or an aerial photograph, that a wetland or natural body of water potentially exists on the site or immediately adjacent to the site for which plan approval is requested.
(2) To review an application, the coordinator and, when appropriate, the EPC, shall conduct on-site inspections.
(d) Decision on the application. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of a complete application, the coordinator shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny or disapprove an upland habitat plan based upon whether the proposal is in compliance with the upland habitat regulations set forth herein and is necessary for one (1) or more of the following reasons:
(1) To construct improvements consistent with approved development or permitted physical use of a lot or parcel pursuant to the requirements of the City Code.
(2) For access to a lot or parcel or construction equipment access to and immediately around proposed structures or other improvements.
(3) For essential grade changes or essential surface water drainage or utility installations.
(4) To comply with other ordinances, regulations, or codes of the City of Tampa.
(5) For the welfare of the general public for reasons other than those set forth above.
In the event the upland habitat plan is denied or disapproved, the coordinator, upon making such determination, shall notify the applicant in writing stating specifically the reasons for denial.
(e) Prerequisites to plan approval.
(1) A site clearing permit, if required, shall not be issued until the coordinator has issued a upland habitat plan approval, if required.
(f) Conditions of the plan approval.
(1) A copy of the upland habitat plan approval shall be posted on-site during land alteration activities.
(2) Upon issuance of upland habitat plan approval, protective barriers shall be erected around all vegetation to be preserved. Protective barriers shall remain in place until land alteration and construction activities are completed, or until commencement of grade finishing and sodding.
(3) An approved management plan agreement pursuant to section 27-287.14(b).
(4) The coordinator may conduct periodic inspections of the site to determine compliance with the upland habitat plan approval.
(5) No certificate of occupancy, if required, shall be issued until the coordinator has determined upon final inspection that the land alteration activity was undertaken according to the approved upland habitat plan, if required.
(6) Any plant material planted in accordance with these regulations shall be replaced by the property owner according to the approved management plan agreement.
(7) A upland habitat plan approval issued in conjunction with a site clearing permit or grade and fill permit for a subdivision project shall limit land alteration activities to approved fill areas, road rights-of-way, and drainage and utility easements and rights-of-way, unless otherwise authorized. A separate site clearing permit may be required to undertake land alteration activity on individual subdivision lots containing trees or other vegetation.
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_CH27ZOLADE_ARTVISURE_DIV4NARETRLAWEUPHA_SD6UPHAPR_S27-287.5PLAPAPREAPDEPRCOFetched: 10/28/2026