With warm weather year-round and plenty of areas that welcome furry companions, Tampa draws many pets and their owners to rent in the city. Tractor Supply Co. rated Tampa as the most pet-friendly city in the US in January 2025 due to the city's many dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants, vets, and pet services.
You won’t have to break the bank to live in the number one dog-friendly city either. As of April 28, 2025, the average rent in Tampa is $1,661/month, just slightly above the national average. Discover the most pet-friendly neighborhoods in Tampa, highlights in each, and what it will cost you to rent in that area.
Here are the top pet-friendly neighborhoods in Tampa:
- Sun Bay South
- Port Tampa City
- Downtown Tampa
- Ybor
- Town ‘N’ Country
- University Square
- Carrollwood
- Tampa Palms
- New Tampa
- Westshore
Sun Bay South
- Average rent: $2,154/month
- Pet destination: Salt Shack on the Bay
- Dog park: Picnic Island Dog Park
On the Interbay Peninsula, Sun Bay South has pet-friendly apartments and homes for rent. While there aren’t many dog parks in the actual neighborhood, both Gasden Park and Picnic Island Dog Park are a 15-minute car ride away. What the city is full of is pet-friendly restaurants, pet services, activities, and veterinarians/animal hospitals. For a special day out, take your pet on a guided fishing tour before refueling at a waterfront table at Salt Shack on the Bay.
Port Tampa City
- Average rent: $1,945/month
- Pet destination: Duke’s Retired Surfer’s Island Bar
- Dog park: Gasden Park
Port Tampa City is the neighborhood directly south of Sun Bay South. It is a quieter neighborhood, offering a tranquil atmosphere that is rare in big cities. Gasden Park and Picnic Island Dog Park are only a five-to-ten-minute drive. Sun Bay South's pet-friendly shops, restaurants, and pet services are not far for pet owners to easily take advantage of. Residents love to take their furry friends to Hula Bay Club or across town at Mad Dogs & Englishmen.
Downtown Tampa
- Average rent: $2,398/month
- Pet destination: Pups Pub
- Dog park: Dog Park at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
Downtown Tampa is the epitome of city life, but that doesn’t mean it’s not pet-friendly — it is one of the best places for pet owners to live. The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile waterfront path for strolls with your leashed dog. You’ll find dog parks near the Riverwalk, including Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, to help your pooch run off that last bit of energy.
Popular restaurants welcome pets at outdoor tables, including City Dog Cantina and Irish 31. If you’re looking for a dog-centric bar, check out Pups Pub, an off-leash dog park bar. Many pet stores, groomers, vets, and daycares are scattered throughout the neighborhood to care of your pet’s every need.
Ybor
- Average rent: $2,339/month
- Pet destination: Gaspar’s Grotto
- Dog park: Deputy John Kotfila Jr. Memorial Dog Park
Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Downtown Tampa lies Ybor. If you rent in Ybor, you’ll get the same access to pet-friendly amenities as in Downtown Tampa, with a more historical charm. It is the perfect neighborhood for socializing with your four-legged companion, as there are countless pet-friendly restaurants along East 7th Avenue. Outdoor seating is packed with pets at Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Gaspar’s Grotto, and El Puerto Restaurant & Grill.
You can get to the Tampa Riverwalk from Ybor, but if you’d prefer to stay closer to home, then the Deputy John Kotfila Jr. Memorial Dog Park, Madison Street Dog Park, and Hair of the Dog Park have plenty of space for off-leash running.
Town ‘N’ Country
- Average rent: $1,705/month
- Pet destination: Maloney’s Irish Pub
- Dog park: Northwest County Dog Park
One of the larger neighborhoods on this list, Town ‘N’ Country, is packed with pet-friendly apartments and homes to rent. Veterinarians, pet stores, groomers, and daycares are strategically located so that no matter where you live, you won’t have to go far to get to one. For a night out with your pooch, Maloney’s Irish Pub, Irish 31, and several other pet-friendly restaurants on West Linebaugh Avenue have pet-friendly patios.
Most residents exercise their dogs where they live in verdant neighborhoods with well-maintained sidewalks and fenced-in yards or apartment communities that offer dog parks. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail provides a change of scenery for walking your dog, while the Northwest County Dog Park has separate off-leash areas for small and large dogs.
University Square
- Average rent: $1,267/month
- Pet destination: Felicitous Coffee
- Dog park: Rowlett Dog Park
University Square is near the University of South Florida (USF). It’s perfect for pet owners who want to be close to the school. Leashed pets are welcome at the USF Botanical Gardens, while off-leash dogs can go to the dog park at Rowlett Park.
A lot of pet-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating or patios, like Miller’s Ale House and First Watch, are on East Fowler Avenue, near University Mall. The neighborhood has a couple of pet stores, animal hospitals, daycares, and grooming services, but you might have to drive depending on where you live.
Carrollwood
- Average rent: $1,605/month
- Pet destination: Glory Days Grill
- Dog park: Logan Gate Dog Park
Carrollwood has many offerings for pets and their owners, from typical dog parks and pet-friendly restaurants to more unique ones like the pet-friendly service at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church. The pet-friendly restaurants on North Dale Mabry Highway, like Glory Days Grill and GrillSmith Carrollwood, are always packed with pets.
The Carrollwood Village Park has paved trails for easy walking and a fenced dog park for some off-leash time. If you’re looking for a bigger off-leash area, then head over to Logan Gate Dog Park, which offers five acres of fenced space. There are pet supply stores, groomers, and daycares everywhere for the best pet care around.
Tampa Palms
- Average rent: $1,531/month
- Pet destination: Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
- Dog park: New Tampa Rotary Dog Park
Most of the apartments in Tampa Palms are pet-friendly, so you can easily find a home for you and your pet. It is also one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Tampa. Located north of the city, Tampa Palms is a calm suburb with plenty of pet-friendly amenities, from vets to doggy daycares.
The Lettuce Lake Conservation Park has miles of trails for you and your leashed pet to explore and get some steps in. Your dog can run free at the nearby New Tampa Rotary Dog Park. Get a bite to eat at Acropolis Greek Taverna or Ciccio Cali, both offering pet-friendly patios.
New Tampa
- Average rent: $1,668/month
- Pet destination: Hillsborough River State Park
- Dog park: New Tampa Rotary Dog Park
New Tampa is a growing community that embraces pets and their owners with many dog parks, outdoor shopping malls, pet services, and pet-friendly restaurants. Whether you need a doggy daycare, vet, or grooming, you’ll find them dotted throughout the neighborhood. After strolling past shops at Highwoods Preserve or Wiregrass, take a break and get a bite to eat at GrillSmith or Tijuana Flats.
One of the biggest attractions for pet owners is the multiple dog parks. Over 3,300 acres, the Hillsborough River State Park puts you and your leashed pet in a diverse natural refuge that makes you forget you are in Tampa. Other popular areas where leashed dogs can walk are the Lettuce Lake Conservation Park and the Jefferson Equestrian Area (watch out for horses). Check out the New Tampa Rotary Dog Park if you want an off-leash area.
Westshore
- Average rent: $2,470/month
- Pet destination: Two Shepherds Taproom
- Dog park: Jim Urbanski Dog Park
Encompassing the Tampa International Airport, Westshore is not just a great place to rent for frequent travelers but also for pet owners. The Al Lopez Field has 132 acres of nature trails and the Jim Urbanski Dog Park for you and your dog to explore.
The Two Shepherds Taproom lets you kick back and get a drink while your dog runs at the included indoor/outdoor dog park. For more food-focused restaurants, Doc B’s Tampa, Kona Grill, and Riveters Tampa all offer pet-friendly outdoor seating.
As a smaller neighborhood, most of the pet-focused businesses sit on the fringe of the neighborhood. However, Westshore's compact size means it is a short trip.
Owning a Pet in Tampa
There are laws and regulations that you must adhere to as a pet owner in Tampa. Find the exact laws on the Hillsborough County website to avoid fines or issues. While there are fees for registering, spaying/neutering, and other required tasks, if you have a service animal you can get the fee waived. The most important ones are:
- Rabies vaccinations: Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies and stay current with those vaccinations.
- Pet license and registration: You have to get a pet registration tag for your pet. You can get it online, from a vet, at the Pet Resource Center, or by mail.
- Pets must be leashed: This one is self-explanatory; if you are on public property, a street, park, or other area, your pet must be leashed.
Find a Pet-Friendly Apartment Community on Apartments.com
Find the perfect home for you and your pet with Apartments.com. Use the pet policy filters to search for places that welcome dogs, cats, or both. Simply choose your desired location, then click the “all filters” button at the top menu. In the pop-up menu, scroll past “Specialty Housing” to find the “Pet Policy” section, where you can select dog-friendly, cat-friendly, or both.
FAQs
What are the best dog parks in Tampa, FL?
The best dog parks in Tampa are the Jim Urbanski Dog Park at Al Lopez Park and the Deputy John Kotfila Jr. Memorial Dog Park. The Jim Urbanski Dog Park is known for its large off-leash space with shade and water fountains for dogs. The Deputy Kotfila Dog Park has high-quality canine turf, water fountains, and climbing structures to engage your dog.
Are there pet-friendly beaches in Tampa?
Two of Tampa's most popular dog beaches are Picnic Island Dog Beach and Davis Islands Dog Park & Beach. The Davis Islands Dog Beach is fully fenced in, while the Picnic Islands one is not. However, both offer plenty of beach and ocean space for your dog to run and swim.
What are the best apartment-friendly dog breeds?
Depending on what size you want, there are different options for apartment-friendly dog breeds. The pug is a great small breed that is quiet, friendly, and doesn’t shed much. For a larger pooch, the standard poodle is hypoallergenic, loves strangers, and rarely barks.
