Temple Terrace's Building Setbacks & Zoning: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building setbacks & zoning a little differently. In Temple Terrace, Florida, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Structure Height Limits

Temple Terrace limits residential structures to 35 feet or 2.5 stories, whichever is less. Accessory structures cannot exceed 15 feet in height, and commercial buildings downtown are capped at 45 feet with special-use exceptions available via City Council.

Key details: Residential: 35 ft / 2.5 stories. Accessory: 15 feet max. Commercial: 45 ft by right. Measured From: Average finished grade.

Exceeding height limit stop-work order and structure modification required. Height variances require Board of Adjustment approval with $350 fee plus public notice.

Lot Coverage Limits

Temple Terrace limits lot coverage by principal and accessory structures to 35 percent in RS-2 zones. Total impervious surface including driveways and pools cannot exceed 50 percent, and stormwater retention is required for additions expanding impervious area.

Key details: Building Coverage: 35 percent RS-2. Impervious Cap: 50 percent. Retention: SWFWMD standards. Permeable Credit: 50 percent.

Exceeding coverage limits denial of building permit. Post-construction discovery leads to code-compliance action, potential removal of nonconforming hardscape, and stormwater-retention retrofit required at owner expense.

Setback Rules

Temple Terrace residential setbacks in the RS-2 single-family zone are 25 feet front, 7.5 feet side, and 20 feet rear. Corner lots require a 15-foot street-side setback, and accessory structures must be at least 5 feet from rear and side lines.

Key details: RS-2 Front: 25 feet. Side: 7.5 feet. Rear: 20 feet. Corner Street-Side: 15 feet.

Setback encroachment stop-work order until variance granted or structure removed. Recorded code-compliance lien if unresolved. Variance application fee $350 with public hearing.

The Bottom Line

Temple Terrace's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Temple Terrace is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Temple Terrace can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.