Local Historic Designation in the City of Punta Gorda

The City of Punta Gorda maintains a program for historic designation of structures and sites within the city limits.

In general, properties considered for local historic designation should be more than 50 years old, although City staff has encouraged the designation of architecturally significant structures associated with the development of the city that are younger than 50 years old.  Buildings, sites, and structures are considered eligible for local historic designation in the City of Punta Gorda if it can be demonstrated that they meet specific criteria in the Land Development Regulations (Section 8.1).

Local Historic Designation applications may be submitted by the property owner. The City's Land Development Regulations allow the City's Historic Preservation Advisory Board to propose designation of properties but prohibits Historic Preservation Advisory Board action when the property owner returns a formal statement of objection to the designation. Final determination of such designation is made by City Council.

Benefits & Advantages of Local Historic Designation

Locally designated historic properties (designated by local ordinance) may not be required to meet mandatory building code standards including the FEMA 50% rule and modern hurricane requirements. The Florida Building Code contains specific language regarding the possible exemptions from state building code standards for historic structures.

Locally designated historic properties are also eligible for relief from zoning regulations through the variance process. Land Development Regulation standards for items such as lot width, setbacks, and other typical zoning requirements may be waived, provided the variance is not injurious to the neighborhood or public welfare.

Responsibilities Associated with Local Historic Designation

After a structure or site has been historically designated, applications for building permits which affect the exterior of the structure, or the site will be referred by the Building Department to the Planning Department and/or the Historic Preservation Advisory Board for the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness (CA).  Please refer to the Land Development Regulations (Section 16.2) for a complete description of this.

The State of Florida maintains a list of structures that may have historic significance, called the Florida Master Site File. It contains some information about the age of structures in the City of Punta Gorda. City Planning Staff also has access to Florida Master Site File Records and can make this information available upon request.  

For more information about the City's Historic Preservation Program, please contact Brittany Metzler, Planner I, at (941) 575-5085, or BMetzler@CityofPuntaGordaFL.com.

Letters sent to Property Owners about Local Historic Register.

The City of Punta Gorda is adjusting its inventory of historic places to more accurately include structures and places of architectural and historical significance. In 2016, the City conducted a survey of existing historic structures, the first update to the list of historic places in almost 40 years. Now, with the adoption of a new Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations, these updates can be formally included in the City's planning and zoning documents. Property owners retaining, gaining, and losing historic designation were notified as a result of these updates.