Eviction in Hillsborough County (Tampa), Florida
Where eviction cases are filed in Hillsborough County (Tampa), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Hillsborough County (Tampa)
- Eviction court
- County Court in and for Hillsborough County (13th Judicial Circuit) — Hillsborough Clerk, County Civil — County Court (civil) Court page
- Filing fee
- $185 eviction of a tenant; $10 per summons; sheriff service $40 per summons Hillsborough Clerk, Fees and Fines — County Civil
- Notice before filing (state law)
- 3-day written notice to pay or vacate, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and court-observed legal holidays, substantially in the statutory form. Florida rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,977/month HUD
- Renter households
- 224,630 (38% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in Hillsborough County (Tampa)
Eviction cases in Hillsborough County (Tampa) are heard by the County Court in and for Hillsborough County (13th Judicial Circuit) — Hillsborough Clerk, County Civil (County Court (civil)).
- Clerk County Civil — Downtown Tampa and Plant City service locations — Mail: PO Box 3360, Tampa, FL 33601-3360 · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center
Court hearing lookup: https://hover.hillsclerk.com/html/courtDateLookup/courtDateLookup.html. County Civil phone (813) 276-8100.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Hillsborough County (Tampa)
$185 eviction of a tenant; $10 per summons; sheriff service $40 per summons
Writ of possession fee not listed on the Clerk page. Sheriff service fee per Fla. Stat. § 30.231(1)(a): http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0030/Sections/0030.231.html
Source: Hillsborough Clerk, Fees and Fines — County Civil
How eviction cases work locally
| Mediation | Judges can refer cases to mediation (attendance mandatory if ordered); Mediation and Diversion Services handles pre-filing mediation, (813) 272-5642. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Clerk mailing service | Optional Clerk mailing of complaint and summons via the e-filing portal: $1.01 per page plus $0.75 per tenant for envelope/postage. Source: Official source |
| Writ execution | Hillsborough County Sheriff executes the writ; tenant has 24 hours to vacate unless the judge orders a stay. Source: Official source |
The Florida eviction process
Florida state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Hillsborough County (Tampa):
- 3-day notice to pay or vacate (nonpayment) or 7-day notice (lease violations) or 30-day notice (month-to-month)
- Landlord files complaint for possession in county court; tenant served with summons
- Tenant files a written answer within 5 days after service and, for any defense other than payment, deposits the alleged rent into the court registry
- If tenant fails to answer or deposit rent, default judgment and immediate writ of possession; otherwise hearing
- Judgment for possession; clerk issues writ of possession
- Sheriff posts 24-hour notice (weekends/holidays do not extend it), then puts landlord in possession; landlord may remove property to the property line
Full Florida eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Hillsborough County (Tampa)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,593 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,696 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,977 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,527 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,077 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Hillsborough County (Tampa): $1,667/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
HUD designates this area for Small Area FMRs: Housing Choice Voucher programs here use ZIP-code-level FMRs; the figures shown are the metro-wide FMRs HUD lists for other programs.
County tenant ordinance
Florida Statutes § 83.425 (ch. 2023-314, Laws of Fla.) preempts to the state the regulation of residential tenancies and the landlord-tenant relationship, so county landlord-tenant ordinances do not apply.
Eviction help in Hillsborough County (Tampa)
Free legal help
- Bay Area Legal Services — Landlord/tenant and eviction help for qualifying Tampa Bay residents; (800) 625-2257.
City rules in Hillsborough County (Tampa)
Other Florida counties
- Eviction in Miami-Dade County (Miami)
- Eviction in Broward County (Fort Lauderdale)
- Eviction in Orange County (Orlando)
- Eviction in Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach)
- Eviction in Duval County (Jacksonville)
- Eviction in Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)
- Eviction in Polk County (Lakeland)
- Eviction in Lee County (Fort Myers)
- Eviction in Volusia County (Daytona Beach)
- Eviction in Seminole County (Sanford)
- Eviction in Brevard County (Melbourne)
- Eviction in Leon County (Tallahassee)
- Eviction in Pasco County (New Port Richey)
- Eviction in Alachua County (Gainesville)
- Eviction in Osceola County (Kissimmee)
- Eviction in Sarasota County (Sarasota)
- Eviction in Escambia County (Pensacola)
- Eviction in Manatee County (Bradenton)
- Eviction in Collier County (Naples)
- Eviction in Marion County (Ocala)
- Eviction in Lake County (Tavares)
- Eviction in St. Lucie County (Port St. Lucie)
Related
- Florida landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Florida
- Florida eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Florida (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Hillsborough County (Tampa)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Hillsborough County (Tampa)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Hillsborough County (Tampa)?
What is the fair market rent in Hillsborough County (Tampa)?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.