Tampa City Council Considers ADU Reforms

With the housing crunch still in full effect, the Tampa City Council on Thursday will consider reforms to its Accessory Dwelling rules. The city only allows these small dwellings, typically called mother-in-law units, in 4% of Tampa neighborhoods. These ADU reforms could allow people to build these small units, ADUs, in many more areas of the city.

Potential Tampa ADU Reforms

The areas where the city allows ADUs are mostly in Seminole Heights and areas around Lowry Park. But a survey performed earlier this year showed that most would like to see them allowed in at least most parts of the city.

Click here to read results of the ADU survey

“Earlier this year we, at the city, put out a survey to get broad input from neighborhoods, residents, anyone interested in the topic, about what to do about accessory dwellings,” said Stephen Benson, director of planning. “Currently in city’s land development code only about 4% of the city are areas where ADUs are allowed. We were getting about eight and 10 permits per year just in that small area.”

Mayor Jane Castor says that because there is such an enormous demand for more rentals, now is the time to consider ADUs as “a great tool for increasing our affordable housing inventory”

Not that the city would impose rent controls. Which is not allowed under state law, Benson said. They could still rent based on the market, which, for now, remains high for many who need rental units.

Still, he said, it is part of a multi-pronged approach to addressing the housing crisis.

“We think from a supply side standpoint, it will have a positive impact,” Benson said. “Individuals still may charge more than the average person thinks is affordable.”

But the city is also planning to set up incentive programs, he said. “Like, where you can move into your ADU and rent your house out,” while aging in place. “We are focusing on the supply side, leaving no stone unturned.”

“We are trying to take it in steps. Incentives are not going to be a huge discussion on Thursday. But incentives would probably come next.”

Potential uses for ADUs

In some areas, people can only construct ADUs if it’s for a relative. That is likely to change, along with ADU usage. It could be an office, an apartment for the college kid, or as a standard rental unit.

And for now, the city staff is not recommending any limit on the size of a lot where people may construct ADUs.

Related: Tampa Area Embraces ADUs

“The number one benefit that came from our survey was identified as the need for flexibility in being able to use the space for different purposes as needs change,” Benson said.

“We are trying to build in that flexibility, so we are not regulating them to death.”

What neighborhoods may be affected

Some areas may be excluded from the new regulations, because of potential flood issues. This includes South Tampa, which is vulnerable to high tides during natural weather occurrences, such as tropical storms and hurricanes. It will be up to the city council to determine locations.

Benson said the city staff sees ADUs as a missed opportunity to add to the housing supply while retaining the character of the city’s neighborhoods. “There are not a whole lot of ways to build more housing without dramatically changing the look or character of the neighborhood,” he said. But ADUs may be one way.

“We want to loosen it up so those people who want to build are able to do so,” he said. “We have a long way to go to get to a really aggressive approach for how to move forward,” Benson said. “My opinion is it is going to be not a silver bullet, but one part of the puzzle in addressing the affordability crisis.”

The city council has scheduled a workshop for Thursday at 9 a.m. at Old City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. The workshop will also be on Spectrum Channel 640 and Frontier Channel 15.