What Brandon Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Brandon is a mid-sized city in Hillsborough County, Florida, with about 115000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 67 ordinances across 25 categories that affect daily life in Brandon.

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: Operating a short-term rental (≤7 nights) in Brandon requires (1) a Florida DBPR Vacation Rental license, (2) a Hillsborough County Business Tax Receipt (BTR), and (3) zoning verification that the parcel allows transient lodging..

Also covered: Noise Rules (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate), Taxes & Fees (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Brandon for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Hillsborough County Code §50-110 prohibits the overnight parking or storage of trucks or commercial vehicles of any kind upon any roadways or dedicated public right-of-way in unincorporated areas, which includes Brandon..

Also covered: Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Brandon for details.

Animal Ordinances

Breed Restrictions: Florida Statute §767.14 preempts breed-specific local bans, but Hillsborough County Code §6-27 prohibits any dog from engaging in vicious, aggressive, or unprovoked menacing behavior regardless of breed..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Beekeeping (permissive), Dog Leash Laws (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Brandon for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: Brandon residential pools must comply with the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Chapter 515), which mandates at least one of: barrier ≥48" high, approved safety pool cover, alarms on all doors with direct pool access, or an approved pool alarm..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Fencing Requirements (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Brandon for details.

Noise Ordinances

Leaf Blower Rules: Hillsborough County does not have a leaf-blower-specific ordinance for Brandon. Operation is regulated under the general Chapter 36 noise disturbance standard and EPC's residential daytime sound limits..

Also covered: Construction Hours (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Brandon for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Residential swimming pools in Brandon must have a pool barrier complying with the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Florida Statute Chapter 515) and Florida Building Code, Residential, Section R4501.17..

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Approved Materials (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Brandon for details.

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: Hillsborough County LDC §4.01.06 protects 'grand oaks' — live oaks, laurel oaks, swamp chestnut oaks, or other native oaks with a DBH of 34 inches or greater. They cannot be removed without administrative authorization and replacement requirements apply..

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Brandon for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: Hillsborough County LDC §6.06.00 regulates outdoor lighting to prevent glare, light trespass, and skyglow. Residential exterior light fixtures must be aimed and shielded to avoid casting direct illumination across adjacent property lines..

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Hillsborough County has been under repeated extended Emergency Bans on Open Burning through spring 2026 (most recent extension issued May 28, 2026). All outdoor open burning, fireworks, sparklers, and fire pits are prohibited while the order is active..

Also covered: Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Fireworks (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Brandon for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Hillsborough County LDC §6.11.02 allows an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on a conforming residential lot with a minimum lot area of 7,000 square feet, occupied by a principal owner-occupied detached single-family dwelling..

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Brandon for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Trimming: Routine pruning of non-protected trees in Brandon does not require a County permit, but pruning of any grand oak (>34 inches DBH) requires compliance with ANSI A300 standards performed by an ISA-certified arborist per LDC §4.01.06..

Also covered: Water Restrictions (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Brandon for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: All rooftop solar installations in Brandon require a Hillsborough County Electrical Trade Permit through HillsGovHub, regardless of system size. Florida Statute §163.04 preempts HOA bans on rooftop solar..

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Brandon for details.

Property Maintenance

Trash Bin Storage: Hillsborough County Solid Waste rules require garbage, recycling, or yard waste carts to be placed at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before collection and removed no later than 6 a.m.

Also covered: Property Blight (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Brandon for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Hillsborough County's Floodplain Management Ordinance — incorporated through Construction Code Chapter 4 and LDC §3.06.00 — implements the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and adds locally-imposed standards that exceed FEMA minimums..

Also covered: Stormwater Management (moderate), Coastal Development (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Brandon for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bulk Item Disposal: Hillsborough County offers bulk disposal at five Community Collection Centers (CCCs) — residential customers receive 10 cubic yards of free disposal for bulky waste, appliances, and yard waste annually under the solid-waste assessment..

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (permissive), Yard Waste Collection (permissive). See the full trash & recycling guide for Brandon for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Hillsborough County LDC §6.11.101.02 (Temporary Vendors) permits mobile food vendors in CG (Commercial General), CI (Commercial Industrial), ML (Manufacturing Light), and other non-residential zones. Operation in RSC or AR zones is prohibited except during permitted events..

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Brandon for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Hillsborough County requires commercial door-to-door solicitors to obtain a permit / certificate of registration from the Tax Collector and Sheriff under Chapter 30 of the Code. Religious and political canvassing are constitutionally protected..

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) dispensaries in Brandon are regulated by Hillsborough County LDC §6.11.127 and Code Article XV. Dispensaries require a certified survey showing distance from public/private K–12 schools..

Also covered: Home Cultivation (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Brandon for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Home occupations in residential zones may not display any exterior business sign under Hillsborough County LDC Article VII (Signs). Branded vehicles parked in the driveway are also limited..

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Brandon for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Long-term (>30 day) residential rentals in Brandon do not require a registration program with the County, but each rental property must hold a Hillsborough County Business Tax Receipt under Chapter 30 of the Code..

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Lot Coverage Limits: Hillsborough County LDC §6.01.01 sets maximum impervious surface ratio (ISR) and floor-area-ratio (FAR) by zoning district. Common Brandon RSC zones allow a maximum ISR of 65% (lot coverage includes all buildings, driveways, and impervious surfaces)..

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Setback Rules (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Brandon for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Hillsborough County enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 16 prohibiting presence in public places between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency Limits: Hillsborough County allows residential garage sales without a permit, but they cannot become an ongoing commercial operation. Typical practice limits sales to 2–3 per year and 2–3 days per sale; persistent ongoing sales are cited as an unpermitted home occupation..

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Hillsborough County LDC §7.01.00 exempts certain non-commercial signs in residential yards from permit requirements, including political and free-speech signs. Size and number limits apply..

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Brandon for details.

Drone Rules

Airport Proximity Rules: Brandon lies under Tampa International Airport (TPA) Class B airspace. Recreational and commercial drone flights require FAA LAANC authorization for any altitude above 0 ft AGL in restricted grids..

Also covered: Park Drone Restrictions (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Brandon for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Brandon, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.