Below are some selected items from various Hillsborough County codes and ordinances that we should be particularly aware of and comply with. The excerpts are not all inclusive. Please refer to official Hillsborough County documents for full details or clarifications.

Note:  Any homeowner can register a complaint with the appropriate County department.  Please note: Effective July 1, 2021, Florida Statutes, as amended by Senate Bill 60, require a name and address to be provided in order to report potential violations of codes and ordinances for investigation.

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Contact Code Enforcement at 813-274-6600 or Submit complaint online.

Reference: Hillsborough County Land Development Code, Article VI - Part 6.07.00

• Fences shall be constructed in a workmanlike manner and shall be of sound and sturdy construction.
• The maximum average height of any fence shall be six (6) feet. Generally, fences over four feet in height shall not be allowed within the required front yards (see referenced Code section for exceptions).
• The finished side of the fence shall face outwards where visible from road rights-of-way, not including any such portion of the fence located in a required side yard or required rear yard.
• Fences shall be maintained in sound structural condition, and free from defect which may cause injury.

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Contact the Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200.

Reference: Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances and Laws Part A Chapter 36, Article VI, Divison 2, Sec. 36-430 Definitions

As used in this division, the following terms shall be defined and applied:

Noise disturbance means any sound which:

• Injures or endangers human or animal health or property;
• Is unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, disturbing or a nuisance to a reasonable person of ordinary sensibility; or
• Disturbs the peace, quiet and comfort of the neighborhood and the vicinity thereof.

Person means any individual, firm, association, partnership, joint venture, or corporation.

Sound means an oscillation or alteration in pressure, stress, particle displacement, particle velocity or other physical parameter, in an elastic medium; or an auditory sensation evoked by the oscillations or alterations described in this definition. The description of sound may include any characteristic of that sound, including duration, intensity and frequency.

Note:  Sounds made by barking dogs and other sounds made by domesticated animals, if intermittent and not unreasonably loud to a reasonable person of ordinary sensibility are exempt from noise prohibitions.  Refer to Sec. 36-435 for complete details of exemptions.

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Pets

Contact Pet Resources at 813-744-5660.  After hours call 813-744-5550.

Reference: Hillsborough County, Florida, Code of Ordinances and Laws, Part A, Chapter 6

Reference: Hillsborough County, Commonly Cited Animal Ordinances with Associated Fines

Note: Please visit the Animal Services webpage for details on what services they do/do not provide.

• All dogs, cats, and ferrets that are 4 months of age or older must be vaccinated for rabies in accordance with Section 828.30, Florida Statutes (1999), as may be amended. All dogs, cats, and ferrets that are 4 months of age or older must be registered with the department. As part of the Hillsborough County ordinance, all dogs must wear the tag when outside. Cats are required to either wear their county tag, be microchipped or tattooed, or have an ear tag when outside.
• No person shall allow a companion animal, when unprovoked, to bite, attack, endanger, or inflict injury on a human, domestic animal, or livestock while on public or private property; or chase or approach an individual upon the streets, sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack.
• Excluding public right-of-way on an owner's private property, no DOG or CAT shall be allowed to stray, run or go, AT LARGE upon any public property or street, sidewalk, park, or on the private property of another without the consent of the property owner. Ear-tipped cats and ear-tipped cat caretakers shall be exempt from this paragraph.
• Any cat that is outdoors while not under direct control must be sterilized.
• Any feces deposited by a dog, cat, or pet pig on public property, public walks, recreation areas or the private property of others must be immediately removed by the person who has custody or control of the animal unless otherwise authorized by the property owner.
• No companion animal shall be allowed to unreasonably annoy humans, to endanger the life or health of other animals or persons acting lawfully, or to substantially interfere with the rights of others thereby interfering with the reasonable use and enjoyment of property.

From the Land Development Code Definitions:

Animal:  A living organism other than plants, bacterium or humans.

As used in this Code, animals are further defined/classified as follows:

Exotic Animal:  All animals which are not farm animals or household animals as defined by this Code.

Farm Animal:  Animals commonly associated with farm use including but not limited to domestic hoofed mammals and domestic fowl.

Domestic Hoofed Mammal:  Cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, etc.

Household Animal:  Animals which are customarily kept for personal use or enjoyment that are not exhibited to the public nor raised for commercial purposes. Household animals shall include domestic dogs, domestic cats, white mice, domestic rabbits, birds, fish, and other similar pets.  However, in no case shall household animals include farm animals or exotic animals as defined by this Code.  

Domestic Fowl:  Birds commonly raised for consumption, egg production or personal enjoyment which include but are not limited to chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese. Domestic fowl shall not include ostriches, emus and similar birds.

**Update on keeping chickens in backyard**

The County Commission adopted a new ordinance September 24, 2020 allowing chickens to be kept in the yards of single-family homes and duplexes. The rule, originally suggested in the spring by Commissioner Sandy Murman, was approved unanimously without commission comment. Detailed information is included the Land Development Code Section 6.11.129.  

Click Here to view the complete text.

The ordinance caps the number of birds allowed at five hens and they must be cooped in an enclosed structure on the rear of the property. Roosters are prohibited. The ordinance does not supersede neighborhood deed restrictions regarding backyard chickens.

 

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Contact Code Enforcement at 813-274-6600 or Submit complaint online.

Reference: Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances and Laws, Part A Chapter 8, Article IV, Section 8-116

It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or occupant of any premises, lot, plot or tract of land to allow or permit or maintain:

• Accumulation of rubbish, waste, trash, or debris, yard waste, exposed salvageable material.
• Overgrowth of weeds, grass, or underbrush exceeding ten (10) inches within two hundred (200) feet of any building, structure, recreational area or street right of way.
• Nuisance Conditions including unsightly or unsanitary accumulation which actually harbors or is likely to harbor rodents, insects, reptiles or any poison or germ carriers.
• Inoperable Vehicles including inoperable domestic vehicles, recreational  vehicles, water vehicles, commercial vehicles, and non-motorized vehicles, which are not stored in a completely enclosed building.

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Solid Waste Collection

Contact Solid Waste Management Department at 813-272-5680 or online here.

Reference: Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances and Laws, Part B Chapter 130, Article II, Sec. 130-21

• Containers shall be set out prior to 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection, but in no case shall such containers be placed on the public maintained roadway prior to 6:00 p.m. the day preceding the day of collection. Residential customers shall place roll carts ready for pickup at a maximum distance of two feet from the public maintained roadway and adjacent to the residential customer's driveway. The residential customer shall leave at least three feet between each roll cart and any other container or other object such as a vehicle or mailbox.

• Residential customers shall dispose of their processable solid waste generated at their property no less than once each week.  Residential customers shall place processable solid waste in county provided gray rolling containers.  No other containers may be used for the collection of processable solid waste at the residential customer's property.  Each roll cart with contents shall not exceed 150 pounds.   All processable solid waste must be in the County provided rolling containers for the automated pick up and any items placed on the ground or in a different container will not be picked up.

• Program recyclables roll carts (blue) shall be provided by and owned by the County.  Residential customers are responsible for utilizing the program recyclables roll carts for program recyclables collection only and ensuring that the program recyclables roll carts are properly maintained to maximize their useful life.  All recyclables must be in the County provided containers for the automated pick up and any items placed on the ground or in a different container will not be picked up. DO NOT PLACE PLASTIC BAGS IN BLUE CARTS.

• Yard waste collection.

   (1) Residential customers shall be required to separate yard waste from other solid waste.

   (2)  Residential collection service shall include a separate once a week yard waste collection. Yard waste must be separated from other solid waste prior to placement at the curb for collection.

   (3)  The yard waste shall be placed for curbside collection on the day designated by the franchise collector in the following manner:

          a.  Grass clippings and leaves shall be placed for collection in rigid, reusable containers or plastic bags.

          b.  The remainder of the yard waste shall be placed in rigid, reusable containers, plastic bags, boxed, bundled or neatly stacked in uniform lengths.

          c.  Yard waste placed at the curb for collection shall not be more than four feet in length and six inches in diameter.

          d.  Each container, with contents, shall not exceed 50 pounds.

(4)  The maximum volume of yard waste acceptable for each weekly collection shall be two cubic yards (approximately twelve 30 gallon trash bags). The only exception is during the period from February 1—April 30, in which the maximum volume of residential yard waste acceptable shall be three cubic yards.

 

• On non-collection days, all containers shall be placed out-of-sight on the property of the residential customer.

Waste Pickup Schedule for Woodbriar Village as of 1/31/2022: 

Monday: Garbage

Thursday: Garbage, recyclables & yard waste

Find service provider and pickup schedule

Check HERE for detailed information on proper disposal of waste, recyclables and much more.

 

PLEASE DO NOT

• set household chemicals out for curbside collection.
• take household chemicals to the Community Collection Centers
• pour chemicals down the drain or on the ground.

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Contact Public Works at 813-635-5400 or online here.

Report the following to Public Works:

• Pot holes in streets.
• Street signs damaged or missing.
• Storm sewers full of trash or not draining.
• Sidewalk hazards, such as tripping hazard from tree roots raising sidewalk section(s).

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Street lights

Contact TECO at 888-223-0800 or online here.

Report inoperable street lights directly to Tampa Electric

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Swimming pools

Contact Code Enforcement at 813-274-6600 or Submit complaint online.

Reference: Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances and Laws, Part A Chapter 8, Article IV, Sec. 8-117

Swimming pool fencing and barrier requirements shall apply to all swimming pools without regard to when such pools were constructed or erected.  Be sure to read the entire section in the reference ordinance for all the requirements.

• All swimming pools shall be required to be enclosed with approved chain metal fencing or an approved barrier.  Access gate, when provided, shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching device.
• All swimming pools shall be equipped with securely attached suction drain covers or grating.
• Every swimming pool shall be maintained and operated in a clean, safe and sanitary manner at all times.

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For tree trimmming contact Public Works online here.

For tree removal contact Public Works online here.

Reference: No County Code reference - info provided by Hillsborough County via email request

Report the following to Public Works:

• Sidewalks with less than eight (8) feet vertical clearance (tree limbs, etc.).  No bushes, limbs etc. under 8 feet vertical clearance should extend horizontally past the property line (usually the edge of the sidewalk closest to the house).
• Vertical clearance of tree limbs extending over a street less than 14 feet 6 inches.  Horizontal clearance from the curb toward sidewalk less than 3 feet.
• Diseased or dead trees in County right of way (usually between the sidewalk and street).

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Vehicles (residential property)

Contact Code Enforcement at 813-274-6600 or Submit complaint online.

Reference:   Hillsborough County Land Development Code Article VI, Section 6.05.02, Para. Q

Any owner of domestic, recreational or hobby vehicles, utility trailers or private pleasure crafts may park or store such vehicles on their own private residential property subject to the following conditions:

• Vehicles located in the yard of the residential lot shall be kept in a clean and neat appearance and in usable condition at all times.
• Inoperable vehicles must be kept in an enclosed building.  Vehicles without current vehicle registration plates, excluding hobby vehicles in operating condition, shall not be allowed at any time.   
• No vehicle or pleasure craft shall be lived in, have housekeeping maintained, or have hook-up to utilities while parked or stored on, or otherwise attached or moored to a residential lot.
• The parking of commercial vehicles of greater than one ton capacity in any residential district is prohibited. This requirement shall not be interpreted to prohibit vehicles from loading and unloading in any residential district.
• If a recreational vehicle, hobby vehicle or private pleasure craft is greater than 20 feet in length and cannot be parked in an enclosed structure, the vehicle shall be parked or stored in the rear if feasible or in the side yard if rear yard is not feasible, and shall not be nearer than five feet to any side or rear lot line. Must be a minimum of twenty feet from front lot line.
• On lots of less than one acre, only one recreational vehicle, hobby vehicle or private pleasure craft which is not in an enclosed structure such as a garage, shall be allowed on a residential lot.
• No recreational vehicles, hobby vehicles, utility trailers or private pleasure crafts shall be parked or stored in the public right-of-ways.
• A recreational vehicle or private pleasure craft may be parked anywhere on the residential lots for up to 24 hours for the purposes of loading or unloading the vehicle.

Definition of Vehicles

• Inoperable Vehicle:  A vehicle or trailer, excluding a hobby vehicle, which is incapable of being lawfully operated on the streets of the State, or is in a state of disrepair.  This includes untagged vehicles and trailers. 
• Commercial Vehicle: Any vehicle, whether motorized or not, designed by the manufacturer to be used primarily for commercial purposes, or altered or converted for the purpose of being so used, but not including vehicles having a capacity of one ton or less or meeting the definition of domestic vehicle.
• Domestic Vehicle: Any vehicle, other than commercial vehicles as defined by this Code, licensed by any state of the United States or Mexico or Province or Territory of Canada, as a private vehicle for operation on streets and may include but not be limited to automobiles, private pickup trucks, and vans.

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Vehicle parking (public right of way)

Contact the Sheriff's Office at 247-8200

Reference:  Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances and Laws Part A, Article V, Chapter 50, Section 50-110

Within the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with law or the directions of the sheriff or his deputy or official traffic control device, no person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle:

• On a sidewalk
• Within an intersection
• In front of a public or private driveway
• Within 15 feet of fire hydrant
• Within 30 feet of a stop sign
• On any railroad tracks
• On an exclusive bike lane
• On a highway, roadway, or street or in a traffic lane or alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than 10 feet of the width of the highway, roadway, street, traffic lane, or alley for the free movement of vehicular traffic.

Every vehicle stopped or parked upon a two-way roadway shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels parallel to and within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

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Contact Water Department at 813-272-6680.

Hillsborough County water use restrictions.

Fines and Penalties:

Violating watering restrictions could result in a fine of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and so on, leading up to $500 for the 5th and succeeding violations. Non-payment will result in a summons to appear before a code enforcement special magistrate, who could impose a fine of as much as $1,000 a day until the original penalty is paid. In extreme cases, the magistrate could choose to levy a one-time fine of $15,000. Those who still don't pay could have a lien attached to their property.

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Useful links

• Code of Ordinances and Laws Part A
• Code of Ordinances and Laws Part B
• Land Development Code