Tampa, FL Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 19-47, offensive conditions
- Correction window
- up to 21 days
- Max civil fine
- $500 per infraction
- 3rd violation
- mandatory court appearance
Summary
Tampa's code enforcement catch-all, Sec. 19-47, lets the city cite any property for conditions that are offensive or noxious, odors, gases, dust, smoke, vibration, or noise, including barking dogs and crowing roosters, or that are simply an eyesore to neighbors. It's the section behind the majority of reported violation complaints.
Nothing shall be allowable on the premises within the corporate limits of the city provided for in this chapter that shall in any way be offensive or noxious by reason of the emission of odors, gases, dust, smoke, light, vibration or noise (including the crowing of cocks, barking of dogs or any noises emanating from any animal or fowl), nor shall anything be constructed or maintained that would in any way constitute an eyesore or nuisance to adjacent property owners or residents or to the community.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 148).
Full Breakdown
Sec. " It sits in Division 3 of Chapter 19 alongside more specific nuisance declarations, dangerous structures (Sec. 19-48), debris accumulation (Sec. 19-49), and overgrown vegetation (Sec. 19-50), together the conditions residents most commonly report to the Department of Code Enforcement. Sec. 19-46 separately makes it unlawful for any owner, agent, custodian, lessee or occupant to "allow or permit or maintain" a public nuisance on their property, extending liability to the strip of land between the street and the property line for corner and abutting lots.
5, giving the responsible party up to 21 days to correct the condition unless it is a repeat, irreparable, or safety-threatening violation, in which case a citation can issue immediately without advance notice.
Violations & Fines
A first violation typically draws a notice giving 21 days to correct under Sec. 23.5-4(c). Failure to correct, or an immediate, irreparable violation, results in a civil citation punishable as an infraction of up to $500 per Sec. 23.5-4(f), with a mandatory court appearance required for a third violation at the same address under Sec. 23.5-4(j).
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions can Tampa cite as a public nuisance?
How do I report a violation?
How long do I have to fix a cited condition?
What's the penalty if I don't fix it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tampa
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tampa to another location·View the Florida code violation reporting overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.