Rental Property Rules in Temple Terrace, FL: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Temple Terrace or are thinking about moving there, rental property rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Temple Terrace has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of rental property rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Rental Registration

Temple Terrace requires a local business tax receipt for rental properties through the city Business Tax office. Short-term rentals additionally require a DBPR vacation rental license per FL §509.

Key details: Local BTR: Required annually. DBPR License: Required for STRs. County TDT: 6% Hillsborough. State Sales Tax: 7.5% combined. Renewal: October 1 annually.

Operating without a BTR: fines up to $250 per day. Unlicensed DBPR vacation rental: $500 per offense by state.

Just Cause Eviction

Temple Terrace follows Florida Statutes Chapter 83 for residential tenancies. No local just-cause eviction ordinance exists, and FL law does not require landlords to state cause for non-renewal of month-to-month tenancies.

Key details: Governing Law: FL §83 Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Just Cause: Not required for non-renewal. Month-to-Month Notice: 30 days (2024 update). Non-Payment Notice: 3 days. Court: Hillsborough County.

Self-help evictions (lockouts, utility shutoffs) prohibited under FL §83.67 with damages of 3 months rent plus attorney fees.

Temple Terrace is more permissive than most cities when it comes to just cause eviction. That said, there are still limits.

Rent Control

Rent control is preempted statewide in Florida under FL Statutes §125.0103(2) and §166.043(2). Temple Terrace cannot enact rent-control ordinances — the 2023 Live Local Act deleted the old housing-emergency exception.

Key details: State Preemption: FL §125.0103(2) & §166.043(2). Exceptions: None — removed 2023. Rent Increase Notice: 60 days month-to-month. Landlord-Tenant Law: FL §83.

No rent-control penalty exists in Temple Terrace because no rent-control ordinance can lawfully exist. Landlord-tenant disputes over rent increases are resolved through private lease terms and FL §83 process.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Temple Terrace actively enforces its rent control requirements.

The Bottom Line

Temple Terrace's rental property rules 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.

All of the above reflects Temple Terrace's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.