At a glance
| Typical home value | $974,300 (+0.2% in a year, Zillow, Aug 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | South Tampa, within City Council District 4 |
| Character | Red brick roads shaded by large oaks; a wide range of housing designs |
| Home types | Older houses, renovated homes and newer rebuilds |
| HOA / CDD | No neighborhood-wide HOA or CDD found; check each property |
| Palma Ceia West (Zillow, Aug 2026) | $844,893, up 2.7% over the year |
| Palma Ceia Pines (Zillow, Aug 2026) | $470,739, down 2.9% over the year |
What Palma Ceia is known for
The City of Tampa describes Palma Ceia as one of Tampa's most sought-after communities since the early 1920s, with antique red brick roads shaded by large oaks and a wide range of housing designs and price ranges. Its street names come from the old section of Havana; historians suggest the cigar maker Angel Cuesta shared a map of Havana with developer Thomas Palmer while discussing the area.
It is also known for Palma Ceia Country Club and for the Palma Ceia Design District, a cluster of boutiques and cafes centered on MacDill Avenue and Bay to Bay Boulevard, about half a mile from Bayshore Boulevard. The neighborhood sits in South Tampa, roughly between Bay to Bay Boulevard, MacDill Avenue, Dale Mabry Highway and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway.
Is Palma Ceia a good area to live?
It suits buyers who want an established South Tampa neighborhood with brick streets, mature oaks and a small shopping district, close to Bayshore. Zillow's typical value of $974,321 is more than two and a half times Tampa's citywide figure, and condition varies a lot from street to street. Palma Ceia is not a local historic district, so exterior changes do not need Architectural Review Commission approval, but zoning, permit and tree rules still apply.
Palma Ceia homes and prices
Zillow tracks three neighborhoods with the name, and the gap between them is large:
| Zillow neighborhood | Typical value, Aug 2026 | 1-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Palma Ceia | $974,321 | +0.2% |
| Palma Ceia West | $844,893 | +2.7% |
| Palma Ceia Pines | $470,739 | -2.9% |
Listings often use "Palma Ceia" loosely. Confirm the subdivision on the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser record and compare sales within that subdivision, not the wider label.
Older original homes
Older houses on established lots need the usual checks: roof, wiring, plumbing and sewer line, with permits. Use the Florida home inspection checklist.
Renovated homes and rebuilds
Many homes have been renovated or rebuilt. If you plan to add on or rebuild, check zoning and setbacks with the city first, and compare land value with construction quality.
Living in Palma Ceia
Shops and dining
The Palma Ceia Design District at MacDill Avenue and Bay to Bay Boulevard has specialty boutiques and cafes.
Parks and recreation
Bayshore Boulevard's bayfront sidewalk is about half a mile away. Palma Ceia Country Club is a private club, so ask about membership separately.
Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools assigns schools by address, and boundaries can change. Check the exact address in the district's school zone locator rather than relying on a listing, and read the Tampa schools guide for how to compare state grades.
Getting around
Dale Mabry Highway, Bay to Bay Boulevard, MacDill Avenue and the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway frame the neighborhood. HART runs the area's buses, at $2.00 a trip with a $4.00 daily cap.
Costs and city projects
City projects
The city's neighborhood page lists capital projects in Palma Ceia, including a Phase III water main replacement for Palma Ceia Area 2 estimated at $5.89 million and a $790,000 water distribution improvement on Empedrado Street. Work like this can mean temporary road closures. Ask the city or check the project list for timing on the streets you are considering.
Property tax
City of Tampa parcels paid a total of 19.8428 mills for 2025, according to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, or about $1,984 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value before exemptions. The assessed value resets after a sale, so estimate taxes from your purchase price rather than the seller's bill, and file for homestead by March 1 if the home will be your permanent residence. See Hillsborough County property tax.
Flood insurance
Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask for an elevation certificate if the seller has one. Tampa is a Class 5 community in FEMA's Community Rating System, which gives a 25% discount on flood insurance in flood zones and 10% outside them. Get a quote before your inspection period ends. The Tampa flood zone guide explains the maps.
HOA and CDD
No neighborhood-wide HOA or CDD turned up in our research. Townhome or condo communities may have their own association.
What to check before buying in Palma Ceia
- Evacuation zone: Hillsborough County revised its evacuation zones for 2026, expanding Zone A farther inland along the coast. Check the current zone for the address.
- Subdivision name: confirm whether the home is in Palma Ceia, Palma Ceia West or Palma Ceia Pines on the property appraiser record.
- Trees: large oaks can limit additions and driveways; check the city's tree rules.
- Street work: ask about water main construction on the block.
Pros and cons of Palma Ceia
Pros
- Brick streets, large oaks and established lots.
- A design district of boutiques and cafes, and Bayshore half a mile away.
- No historic district review for exterior changes.
Cons
- A typical value of $974,321.
- Older homes with varied condition.
- City water main work can mean temporary road closures.
Compare Hyde Park to the northeast, Beach Park to the west and the wider South Tampa guide.
Common questions
How much are homes in Palma Ceia, Tampa?+
Zillow's typical home value for Palma Ceia was $974,321 in August 2026, up 0.2% over the year. Palma Ceia West was $844,893 and Palma Ceia Pines was $470,739. Because listings use the name loosely, confirm the subdivision on the property appraiser record and compare sales from that subdivision.
Where is Palma Ceia in Tampa?+
Palma Ceia is in South Tampa, the peninsula between Kennedy Boulevard and MacDill Air Force Base, and falls within Tampa City Council District 4. The City of Tampa describes it as an established neighborhood of brick roads and large oaks that has been in demand since the early 1920s.
Does Palma Ceia have an HOA?+
No mandatory neighborhood-wide HOA or community development district covering Palma Ceia turned up in our research. Individual townhome or condo communities may have their own association. Check the title work and the tax bill for any association or special assessment on the specific property before you sign a contract.
Is Palma Ceia a historic district?+
Palma Ceia is not one of the City of Tampa's four local historic districts, which are Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights and Ybor City. That generally means exterior changes do not go through the Architectural Review Commission, but normal zoning, permitting and tree rules still apply, so check them before planning work.
What is Palma Ceia known for?+
Palma Ceia is known for its antique red brick streets shaded by large oaks, street names taken from old Havana, Palma Ceia Country Club and the Palma Ceia Design District of boutiques and cafes at MacDill Avenue and Bay to Bay Boulevard. The City of Tampa says it has been in demand since the early 1920s.
Sources
- City of Tampa: Historic district maps
- City of Tampa: Palma Ceia
- Wikipedia: South Tampa
- City of Tampa: Flooding
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center
- FOX 13 Tampa Bay: Hillsborough County adjusts hurricane evacuation zones (April 2026)
- Zillow Research: Zillow Home Value Index (August 2026 data)
- Wikipedia: Palma Ceia
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser: 2025 final millage rates
- Hillsborough County Public Schools: School zone locator
- HART: Fares
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Antonio Roberts
Antonio Roberts has spent five years helping more than 500 Florida buyers and sellers choose the right real estate agent. He is not a real estate agent himself: he researches what matters in a Florida move and connects people with licensed local agents, free of charge.
Reviewed by a licensed Florida real estate agent. Before publication, this guide was checked for accuracy by a licensed Florida real estate agent on our team. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
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