Plastic Bag Rules: Tampa vs Temple Terrace
How do plastic bag rules rules compare between Tampa, FL and Temple Terrace, FL?
Tampa and Temple Terrace have similar restriction levels.
Tampa, FL
Hillsborough County
Tampa cannot enforce a plastic bag ban or fee. Fla. Stat. § 403.7033 preempts every Florida local government from regulating auxiliary containers, wrappings, or disposable plastic bags. Tampa's Solid Waste Department operates voluntary recycling programs only and explicitly notes that plastic bags do not belong in curbside blue bins.
View full Tampa rules →Temple Terrace, FL
Hillsborough County
Florida Statute 403.7033 preempts the regulation of disposable plastic bags by local governments, prohibiting cities and counties from enacting bans or fees on retailers pending a legislative review that has not occurred.
View full Temple Terrace rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tampa | Temple Terrace |
|---|---|---|
| Local Ordinance | None — proposals withdrawn 2015 and 2019 | - |
| Preemption Statute | Fla. Stat. § 403.7033 | - |
| Year Enacted | 2008; reaffirmed 2021 | - |
| Curbside Status | Bags NOT accepted in blue carts | - |
| Drop-Off | Retailer front-of-store film recycling | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tampa FAQ
Does Tampa have a plastic bag ban?
No. Tampa has no plastic bag ban or fee. Fla. Stat. § 403.7033 preempts every Florida local government, and Tampa's city council withdrew bag-fee proposals in 2015 and 2019 after city-attorney preemption opinions.
Can I put plastic bags in my Tampa recycling cart?
No. Tampa's curbside blue carts do not accept plastic bags — they tangle in sorting equipment at the MRF. Return them to retailer drop-off bins at Publix, Walmart, and Target front entrances, which feed into the WRAP Recycling Action Program.
Could Florida ever let Tampa ban plastic bags?
Only if the Legislature adopts FDEP's recommendations under § 403.7033(3). The 2021 amendment required an updated FDEP report by December 31, 2021, but the Legislature has not acted on it. Until then, Tampa cannot legally adopt a ban or fee.
Temple Terrace FAQ
Can a Florida city ban plastic shopping bags?
No. FS 403.7033 preempts local rules on disposable plastic bags until the Legislature adopts authorizing recommendations.
Has any Florida city tried to ban plastic bags anyway?
Yes. Coral Gables enacted a bag ordinance, but Florida courts ruled it preempted under FS 403.7033.
Are there any exceptions for coastal communities?
No statutory exception exists. The preemption applies uniformly across Florida regardless of geography or environmental sensitivity.
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