Public Health Rules in Tampa, FL (2026)

5 verified public health rules for Tampa, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Restaurant Grade Cards

Florida restaurant inspections are run by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), not Tampa or Hillsborough County. Inspection reports are public; Florida does not use letter-grade placards.

Restaurant inspections by Florida DBPR, not Tampa

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Rodent Control

Tampa property owners must keep premises free of rodent harborage under Code Ch. 19 (Garbage) and Ch. 17.5 (Code Enforcement). Hillsborough County Health investigates infestations tied to public health risk.

Tampa property owners must abate rodent harborage

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Bed-Bug Rules

Florida law treats bed bug infestations as a habitability issue under FL §83.51 (Landlord-Tenant Act). Tampa landlords must extermineate in multi-unit properties. Tampa has no separate bed bug ordinance.

Tampa bed bug treatment is landlord responsibility

Some Restrictions

Fla. Stat. § 83.51(2)(a)

83.51 Landlord's obligation to maintain premises. — [...] (2)(a) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, in addition to the requirements of subsection (1), the landlord of a dwelling unit other than a single-family home or duplex shall, at all times during the tenancy, make reasonable provisions for: 1. The extermination of rats, mice, roaches, ants, wood-destroying organisms, and bedbugs. When vac...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Syringe Disposal

Florida's IDEA Exchange Act (FL §381.0038) authorizes county-run sterile syringe services. Hillsborough County operates a needle exchange to reduce HIV/HCV transmission. Public sharps disposal kiosks remain limited.

Tampa needle exchange via IDEA Exchange Florida

Few Restrictions

Fla. Stat. § 381.0038(4)

(4) A county commission may authorize a sterile needle and syringe exchange program to operate within its county boundaries. The program may operate at one or more fixed locations or through mobile health units. The program shall offer the free exchange of clean, unused needles and hypodermic syringes for used needles and hypodermic syringes as a means to prevent the transmission of HIV, AIDS, ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Food Handler Certification

Florida requires every restaurant to employ at least one ServSafe-certified food protection manager (FL Admin Code 61C-4). Other food workers must complete a DBPR-approved food handler training within 60 days of hire.

Tampa food workers need DBPR food manager certification

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Looking for Hillsborough County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tampa city rules.

Public Health Rules in Hillsborough County →