At a glance
| Location | Unincorporated Hillsborough County, northwest of Tampa, ZIP 33626 |
|---|---|
| Size | 3,514 homes on more than 2,000 acres (WCA) |
| Started | Approved by the county in 1991 |
| HOA | Westchase Community Association (WCA), with covenants and residential guidelines |
| CDD | Westchase Community Development District maintains conservation areas, ponds, monuments and medians |
| Amenities | Two swim and tennis centers, a public golf club, two parks and preserved land |
| Population | 25,952 in the Westchase CDP (2020 census) |
What Westchase is known for
Westchase is known as a deed-restricted master-planned community with golf, swim and tennis centers and West Park Village, a walkable mixed-use area modeled on Hyde Park. It is a census-designated place of 10.73 square miles in unincorporated Hillsborough County, about 17 miles northwest of downtown Tampa, with a 2020 population of 25,952. The community was approved by county commissioners in 1991, and building began that year.
The Westchase Community Association describes a 2,000-plus-acre community of 3,514 homes in named neighborhoods, including Bennington, Berkeley Square, The Bridges, The Fords, Glencliff, The Greens, Harbor Links/The Estates, Keswick Forest, Radcliffe, The Shires, The Vineyards, West Park Village and Wycliff.
Is Westchase a good area to live?
It suits buyers who want a planned community with shared amenities, architectural rules and a small walkable village center. The costs to weigh are the two layers of fees, the Westchase Community Association and the Westchase CDD, plus any neighborhood sub-association, and the drive to Tampa. Because Westchase is outside city limits, county rules and services apply. Compare the full monthly cost and the covenants with other options before deciding.
Westchase homes and prices
Zillow does not publish a Westchase neighborhood figure in our August 2026 data set. Tampa's citywide typical value was $377,566, down 0.3%, but that is not a substitute for Westchase sales. Ask a local agent for recent sales in the same Westchase neighborhood and home type. See the Tampa housing market page for the wider trend.
Single-family homes
Detached houses, including homes near the golf course, price differently by neighborhood and lot. Compare sales in the same neighborhood.
West Park Village condos, townhomes and houses
West Park Village mixes condos, townhomes, houses and apartments around shops and village greens. Attached homes may add a sub-association fee.
HOA and CDD: two separate costs
Westchase has two governing bodies. The Westchase Community Association (WCA) is the homeowners association: it runs the swim and tennis centers, enforces the covenants, conditions and restrictions, and is governed by an elected board. The Westchase Community Development District (CDD) is a local government unit that maintains conservation areas, ponds, neighborhood monuments and medians. Westchase originally had two CDDs, which merged in October 2011.
CDD charges appear on the annual property tax bill as a non-ad valorem assessment. HOA dues are billed separately, and some neighborhoods have an additional sub-association. For any home, ask for:
- The current WCA assessment and any neighborhood sub-association fee.
- The CDD assessment on the parcel's latest tax bill, from the Hillsborough County Tax Collector.
- The WCA covenants and residential guidelines, including rental and exterior rules.
Property tax
Unincorporated Hillsborough parcels in the base county district paid a total of 18.2515 mills for 2025, according to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, or about $1,825 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value before exemptions. CDD and other non-ad valorem charges are billed on top. The assessed value resets after a sale, so estimate from your purchase price. See Hillsborough County property tax.
Living in Westchase
Shops and dining
West Park Village has two town centers with shops, bars and restaurants, and hosts a summer concert series.
Parks and recreation
Amenities include two swim and tennis centers, the public Westchase Golf Course designed by Lloyd Clifton, two parks and hundreds of acres of preserved land. Tampa Bay Downs, a horse racetrack, is on the area's western edge.
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
Westchase sits about halfway between Tampa and Palm Harbor, next to Oldsmar and the Pinellas County line. HART runs the area's buses, at $2.00 a trip with a $4.00 daily cap. Test the commute at the times you would drive.
What to check before buying in Westchase
- Unincorporated status: this area is outside Tampa city limits, so Hillsborough County (not the City of Tampa) handles zoning, permits and most services. Confirm the jurisdiction on the property appraiser record.
- Evacuation zone: Hillsborough County revised its evacuation zones for 2026, expanding Zone A farther inland along the coast and Alafia River. Check the current zone for the address.
- Architectural rules: exterior changes need WCA approval under the residential guidelines. Ask for any open violations on the home.
Flood insurance
Look up the address with Hillsborough County's Find My FEMA Flood Zone tool or the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, and ask for an elevation certificate if the seller has one. The county's Floodplain Viewer also shows county-developed floodplain maps. Get a quote before your inspection period ends. The Tampa flood zone guide explains the maps.
Pros and cons of Westchase
Pros
- Swim and tennis centers, a public golf course, parks and preserved land.
- West Park Village, a walkable center with shops and restaurants.
- Published covenants and residential guidelines, so the rules are clear before you buy.
Cons
- HOA dues plus a CDD assessment on the tax bill.
- Exterior changes need association approval.
- About 17 miles from downtown Tampa.
Nearby, compare Citrus Park, Town 'n' Country and Odessa, or look at gated communities in Tampa.
Common questions
Does Westchase have HOA and CDD fees?+
Yes. Westchase homes are in the Westchase Community Association, a homeowners association that runs the swim and tennis centers and enforces the covenants, and in the Westchase Community Development District, which maintains ponds, conservation areas and medians. CDD charges appear on the property tax bill. Ask for current amounts for the specific home.
Is Westchase in the City of Tampa?+
No. Westchase is a census-designated place in unincorporated Hillsborough County, northwest of Tampa, with ZIP code 33626. Hillsborough County, not the City of Tampa, handles zoning, permits and most local services. Confirm the jurisdiction and taxing district on the property appraiser record before you estimate taxes for a specific home.
How many homes are in Westchase?+
The Westchase Community Association describes the master-planned community as 3,514 homes on more than 2,000 acres, in named neighborhoods such as West Park Village, The Fords, Berkeley Square and The Greens. The wider Westchase census-designated place had 25,952 residents in the 2020 census.
Is Westchase a good area to live?+
It suits buyers who want a planned community with pools, tennis, golf, parks and the walkable West Park Village, and who accept association rules. Budget for Westchase Community Association dues and the CDD assessment on the tax bill, and check flood zone, commute and any sub-association fee for the specific home.
What is Westchase known for?+
Westchase is known as a deed-restricted master-planned community of 3,514 homes northwest of Tampa, with two swim and tennis centers, the public Westchase Golf Course and West Park Village, a mixed-use area with shops, restaurants and village greens. Tampa Bay Downs racetrack is on its western edge.
Sources
- Westchase Community Association
- Wikipedia: Westchase, Florida
- Hillsborough County: Flood maps
- FOX 13 Tampa Bay: Hillsborough County adjusts hurricane evacuation zones (April 2026)
- Hillsborough County Public Schools: School zones locator
- Zillow Research: Zillow Home Value Index (August 2026 data)
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser: 2025 final millage rates
- 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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