Historic Property and District Review — Hillsborough County
Historic review is jurisdiction- and designation-specific. Unincorporated Hillsborough's Historic Resources Review Board reviews alterations and new construction on County landmark sites or districts. Tampa uses its preservation staff and architectural boards and accepts certain Certificate of Appropriateness applications through Tampa Accela. Plant City requires a Certificate of Appropriateness before exterior work begins or a building/demolition permit is issued for its Historic Structures. Temple Terrace operates a Historic Preservation Office and Board, but the reviewed current city pages publish a designation application rather than a universal alteration application, fee, or timeline.
Flagged source reviewed 2026-10-15. How we check sources
Who needs this
Owners, applicants, designers, and contractors proposing exterior changes, additions, new construction, demolition, or related permit work involving a locally designated landmark, historic structure, or local historic district in Hillsborough County. Age, architectural appearance, a national listing, or a mailing-city name alone does not prove that local review applies.
Steps
- 1
Resolve the parcel jurisdiction before checking historic status
Determine whether the property is in unincorporated Hillsborough, Tampa, Plant City, or Temple Terrace. County and city preservation programs are separate, and an incorporated property does not route to the County board by default.
maps.hillsboroughcounty.org/MapHillsborough/MapHillsborough. - 2
Confirm designation with the responsible preservation staff
Use the responsible jurisdiction's official landmark or district resources and contact staff when status is uncertain. The County's maps page lists a Hillsborough County Historic Landmarks resource, but warns that its maps are general information and should not be relied on. Tampa expressly warns that its maps are not the sole guide because staff also uses information such as master site files. Do not infer local review solely from property age or a national-district map.
tampa.gov/historic-preservation/info/district-maps - 3
Route unincorporated County landmark work to the County board
For a confirmed County landmark site or district in unincorporated Hillsborough, contact Development Services historic-preservation staff. The County says its Historic Resources Review Board reviews alterations and new construction on landmark sites or districts; use the live County process for the application, documents, fee, and meeting route.
hcfl.gov/councils/historic-resources-review-board - 4
Use Tampa's Certificate of Appropriateness path when applicable
For Tampa local districts, local landmarks, and contributing structures, consult Architectural Review & Historic Preservation staff and the applicable ARC, Barrio Latino Commission, or Historic Preservation Commission route. Tampa says COA applications for new construction, additions, and exterior repairs can be submitted online through Tampa Accela. Read the current submission requirements and call staff to discuss your project before filling out the application.
tampa.gov/historic-preservation - 5
Obtain Plant City approval before covered exterior work
Plant City says a Certificate of Appropriateness is required for exterior changes to Historic Structures, including painting, roof work, window or door replacement, and siding, and must be obtained before work begins or a building/demolition permit is issued. File through Planning & Zoning's portal or in person using the current application and design standards.
plantcitygov.com/departments/development/planning_zoning/his - 6
Use a verified Temple Terrace handoff
For a Temple Terrace property that may be locally designated, contact the Historic Preservation Office before changing the structure. The current city page says local designation protects landmarks and that changes are reviewed for architectural appropriateness, but it publishes a designation application rather than a universal alteration form; confirm the actual project-review path with the City.
templeterrace.gov/796/Historic-Preservation-Office - 7
Coordinate historic approval with other permits
Historic approval does not replace building, demolition, zoning, tree, right-of-way, fire, or environmental approvals. Sequence the preservation decision as directed by the jurisdiction, then submit the remaining permits through the responsible County or city authority.
hcfl.gov/businesses/permits-and-records
Requirements
- Confirm the parcel jurisdiction and local designation status with official sources.
- Use the County or city preservation authority responsible for the property.
- Obtain the applicable preservation approval before work or permit issuance where the jurisdiction requires it.
- Submit project-specific plans, materials, photos, site information, and authorization required by the live application.
- Treat building, demolition, zoning, and other permits as separate approvals.
Documents
- Property address, parcel identity, and evidence of local designation or district status
- Photographs of existing conditions and proposed exterior work
- Plans, elevations, construction details, material and color samples, and site plan as required
- Owner authorization and permit information requested by the responsible jurisdiction
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Hillsborough historic review | Confirm the current application and fee with County historic-preservation staff; the reviewed board page does not publish a universal project fee. | |
| Tampa historic-preservation application | Use Tampa's current board-specific fee schedule and Accela record; amount depends on the application and review route. | |
| Plant City Certificate of Appropriateness | Use the current Planning & Zoning application and fee information; the reviewed fee page lists historic appeals/removal but does not establish a universal base COA amount. | |
| Temple Terrace historic review | Confirm whether a project-review fee applies with the City; the reviewed preservation pages publish no universal alteration fee. |
Good to know
County historic review applies to landmark sites or districts in unincorporated Hillsborough; incorporated cities keep their own authority.Tampa distinguishes local and national district boundaries and warns that maps alone do not establish contributing status.Plant City's official page states that covered exterior changes require a Certificate of Appropriateness before work begins or a building/demolition permit is issued.Temple Terrace's current page supports a designation and preservation-program handoff, but no universal alteration application, fee, or timeline is invented.