Multimodal Fees Update Study

Last updated in 1989, the City of Tampa's Multi-Modal Transportation Impact Fee helps fund the cost of infrastructure needed to accommodate new development. Fees are typically paid at the time a building permit is issued and are designed to offset the financial impact a new development has on public infrastructure.

The City first adopted a Transportation Impact Fee in 1986 and updated its fee structure to a Multi-Modal Transportation Impact Fee in 2015 to incorporate additional transit modes.

Updating the fee would provide critical funds to help Tampa keep pace with population growth, inflation and construction costs, travel demand, and other needs, which fall within the fee structure. (NOTE: Fees may NOT be used for maintenance or repair projects.)

Eligible Project Types

1. New roadways and widening of roads to add new through lanes
2. New turn lanes or extension of existing turn lanes
3. New bridges or grade separations, either for vehicles or pedestrians/bicyclists
4. New, or upgrading of existing, drainage facilities in conjunction with new roadway construction
5. Acquisition of right-of-way for the purpose of constructing transportation system improvements
6. Traffic signals, including new and upgraded signals, and associated software to increase the effective capacity of intersections
7. Curbs, medians and shoulders
8. Relocating utilities to accommodate roadway modifications that increase person trip capacity
9. Intersection improvements
10. New sidewalks and widening of existing sidewalks to add person capacity, including crossing improvements
11. On-street bicycle lanes and construction of bicycle/pedestrian trials
12. Wayfinding to support vehicle travel, access to transit, walking and biking
13. Capital transit facilities such as shelters and pullout bays
14. Park and ride lots

Currently, Florida law limits local governments to raising impact fees once every four years and caps the increases at 50%. Going above the 50% cap is only possible under “extraordinary circumstances,” and it requires a special study, two public workshops, and approval by two-thirds of the City Council.

Starting January 1, 2026, the rules will tighten through SB 1080. Local governments will not be able to use the “extraordinary circumstances” option unless they have raised fees in the past five years. Any increase will also require a unanimous vote by the governing body, and the higher fees must be phased over a period of two to four years.

The City hopes to increase the fees prior to SB 1080 going into effect January 1st.

The extraordinary circumstances for the City of Tampa include:
• Fees have not been increased since 1989
• Fees are low compared to surrounding communities
• Construction costs are increasing faster than general inflation
• Population and job growth are expected to continue rising
• Overall multi-modal travel demand continues to increase
• The number of roadways operating beyond available capacity is increasing
• Other funding sources are decreasing.

The Tampa City Council held two public workshops to discuss the proposal. The workshops were held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, and Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 9:00 A.M. in City Council Chambers at Old City Hall, 315 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602.

Questions can be directed to Jae Sang Lee @ multimodalfeeupdate@tampagov.net