The City of Tampa leadership understands that any increase in housing costs can create a hardship for vulnerable households. The City created the Stormwater Hardship Program under Resolution No. 2016-706 to help eligible, low-income households cover the cost of the Tampa Stormwater Improvement Assessment fee. This fee is one of two assessments normally found on each City of Tampa homeowner’s tax bill. Those approved for the Stormwater Hardship Program will not be assessed the Tampa Stormwater Improvement Assessment on their tax bill.
Eligibility Requirements
- At least one homeowner must be 65 years old or older as of January 1st of the application year and/or unable to work because of a disability. The disability exemption must be shown on the applicant’s Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s tax collector page for the applicant to qualify.
- The maximum household income limits must be no more than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as adjusted and published annually by the US. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These limits were updated on 5/15/2023. More information can be found on this document 2023 Income and Rent Limits. After you link to the 2023 Income and Rent Limits document; please scroll down to Hillsborough County to see the updated household income limits.
- The current income limits effective 5/15/2023 are below:
- 1 Person $18,250
- 2 Persons $20,850
- 3 Persons $24,860
- 4 Persons $30,000
- 5 Persons $35,140
- 6 Persons $40,280
- 7 Persons $45,420
- 8 Persons $50,560
Property Characteristics
- Must be single family property with a homestead exemption
- Must be owner occupied
- Must have a taxable value of less than $100,000 (after exemptions)
- Must be assessed 1.0 or less Equivalent Stormwater Unit
Application/Re-certification Requirements
- Apply no later than March 31st of the application period to qualify for an exemption for the next tax year which begins on October 1st.
- Submit application information (full name, address and phone) via the Stormwater Hotline voicemail to the Housing and Community Development Division at (813) 274-7957.
- Prepare and submit application with required income documentation or disability verification
- Annual re-certification is similar to the Property Appraisers’ annual homestead certification process
- Resubmit application to renew exemption every 3 years