Opinion: From Rainbow Crosswalks to Rainbow Fences in Key West

From Rainbow Crosswalks to Rainbow Fences in Key West

By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco

December 16, 2025

A Symbol With Two Meanings

In the Bible, the rainbow appears after the flood as a symbol of renewal and a covenant between God and humanity. In modern Key West, however, the rainbow has taken on a very different meaning and has become the center of a growing local controversy tied to public space, historic preservation, and city process.

The Rainbow Crosswalks and State Intervention

That debate first surfaced with rainbow-painted crosswalks, which were removed earlier this year by the Florida Department of Transportation. The removals were not unique to Key West and followed similar actions taken in other Florida cities. Most city commissioners, the mayor, and their voters defied the law until, much like the immigration issue, Governor DeSantis stepped in to reinforce it.  While many residents anticipated the outcome, the discussion did not end there.

Attention Shifts to Old Town Rainbow Fences

Shortly after the crosswalks were removed, primary color fences began appearing in parts of Old Town. In most areas of the island, painted fences might attract little attention. In the Historic District, however, exterior alterations are subject to strict design and preservation rules intended to protect the architectural character of the neighborhood.

The Role of HARC in the Historic District

Oversight of those rules falls to the Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC), a body created by the City Charter to preserve Key West’s historic fabric. In recent months, HARC has been drawn into discussions surrounding rainbow-painted fences, newly installed rainbow bike racks, and a proposed decorative arch, all located within the historic district.

What the Guidelines Currently Allow

According to a December 16, 2025 memo from City Historic Preservation Manager Daniela Salume, current HARC Exterior Color Guidelines require wood fences and gates to be painted white or left in a natural wood finish. The memo states that multicolored or primary color fences do not fall within the traditional Key West color palette and would require HARC review if proposed as permanent alterations. Staff further advised against allowing partial or limited primary color painting, noting that such allowances could create precedent and complicate future enforcement.

Discussion at the November HARC Meeting

At the November 18, 2025 HARC meeting, commissioners discussed how to address existing primary color fences that were installed without prior approval. Members generally agreed that nothing in the current guidelines permits rainbow-painted fencing. Concerns were raised about precedent, political messaging, and how future applicants would interpret the rules if exceptions were allowed without clear standards. Two potential paths emerged from the discussion: either allow all homeowners limited freedom to paint portions of their fences, or formally amend the guidelines through the established review process. Commissioners agreed that doing nothing was not a viable option.

Legal Guidance and Next Steps

HARC’s attorney advised that painting constitutes an exterior alteration under city code and that HARC is obligated to evaluate whether such changes align with the historic character of the district, regardless of whether specific colors are listed. Any amendment to the guidelines would require review by the Planning Department and approval by the City Commission.

In the meantime, the City’s Code Compliance Department has issued courtesy notices to homeowners with rainbow-painted fences, advising them to seek HARC approval. No formal code enforcement cases have been opened to date. HARC has directed its attorney to research enforcement options and return with a proposed action item for a future vote, including possible clarification on how much of a fence or gate may be altered.

City planners also confirmed that recently installed rainbow bike racks in the historic district were not reviewed by HARC prior to installation and will also need to be evaluated for compliance.

Broader Questions About Process

The situation has raised broader questions about process, particularly in light of recent scrutiny following a grand jury report critical of city planning and code enforcement practices. Some in the community were furious about code violations and alleged fraud. Ironically, those same people are silent now that other laws are being broken. This selective outrage creates a serious problem.  Preservation guidelines exist to ensure equal treatment and predictability for property owners, and deviations from those procedures continue to draw public attention.  Residents who follow the law want to know why some laws and codes are not applied in certain cases.  The selective application has led to confusion.

In response to so many questions from the community, city preservation staff have recommended maintaining the existing guidelines and requiring HARC review for any proposed deviations with rainbow fences. In her memo, Salume noted that changing the standards to accommodate a single preference could weaken the clarity and consistency of the guidelines as a whole. 

When she recommended hanging a removable sign with rainbow colors to better align with code, one HARC member quickly rebuffed the suggestion as “offensive.”  Apparently, when you believe the laws don't apply to you, any compromise to follow the law is an insult.

December 16 HARC Meeting Developments

HARC continued the discussion at its December 16, 2025 meeting, where City Manager Brian Barroso addressed the commission directly. Barroso stated that he personally approved the installation of the rainbow bike racks, acknowledging that the decision did not comply with existing code. He said the approval was made quickly in response to the state’s removal of the rainbow crosswalks, describing it as an effort to “move forward.” Some might actually view ignoring laws as a step backwards.

Barroso also said residents raised concerns about the code violations, and that he does not want city staff placed in the middle of politically charged decisions. He emphasized that HARC should be the body responsible for determining whether such alterations comply with historic preservation standards.

After he already took action against code with rainbow bike racks to make a political statement against the state, his words at the meeting seem empty. Had he believed what he said at the meeting, he would have ordered the rainbow bike racks to be painted a neutral color, back to code, and changed only after HARC approval. This would have set the example for residents on how to properly follow the code.

In contrast to the actions of her boss, Historic Preservation Manager Daniela Salume’s memo does not recommend changing existing guidelines, citing the importance of preserving the historic character of Old Town. She maintained that altering the code for a single group risks undermining the intent of the preservation rules as a whole.

HARC members discussed refining expectations for non-standard applications seeking to deviate from current code. They acknowledged that if exceptions were allowed, they would have to apply equally to all homeowners, not just one group. Members also discussed placing a two or three year time limit on such approvals, effectively postponing a permanent decision on changing codes.

Public comment reflected the divided views in all of Key West. Two speakers spoke in favor of the primary color fences, with one arguing that such displays constitute protected speech under federal law, even within the Historic District. Ironically, it is because of federal and state laws that the primary color crosswalks were removed in the first place. The protected speech argument already hasn’t worked in the crosswalk debate.

Another speaker, who lives in the Historic District, said she chose the neighborhood specifically for its preserved historic character. She reported counting 27 homes with painted fences and stairs in her area. She had the pictures taken that day on her cell phone. She expressed concern that the volume of alterations diminishes the district’s historic feel. She also noted there is no clear and efficient mechanism for residents to file complaints, particularly when 27 violations are observed.

City staff again confirmed that no formal code enforcement cases have been opened related to the painted fences. Homeowners have received letters advising them to seek HARC approval rather than violation notices. It isn’t clear who exactly made the decision to ignore codes in the Historic District, but ultimately City Manager Barroso is responsible for this confusion.

If the city ultimately chooses to amend the code, the process would require review by the Planning Department followed by votes from the city commission and mayor. As with the crosswalk issue, any final decision is likely to leave one segment of the community dissatisfied.

Moving Forward

At its core, this controversy reflects a familiar problem in local government: putting the cart before the horse. Actions were taken first in reaction to federal and state laws—rainbow bike racks installed and fences altered—while the rules meant to govern those actions were left to be addressed later. That reversal of process has placed city staff, HARC, and residents in an unnecessary bind and has fueled mistrust among those who expect the city to follow its own codes.

The community anger displayed after the recent grand jury report shows how much the community wants the laws to be followed. They demanded firings and prison time for city employees and elected officials, even before any trials determining guilt. They said a “clean slate” was the only way to rebuild trust. Even the grand jury report noted that the only way to build trust was for the city to follow the law. The silence now from the same community, in light of these code violations, sheds doubt on their demands for accountability and justice in one case but not the other. Fairness demands equal application of the law.

Regardless of where one stands on the symbolism involved with crosswalks, bike racks, and fences, the larger issue is order and fairness. In a historic district governed by clear standards, changes should follow the rules, not force the rules to catch up afterward. If Key West wants consistent enforcement and public confidence, the horse—lawful process—must come before the cart.

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Liana Gonzalez-Blanco

Liana is a Key West native who loves writing about her island home. She taught English to students in grades 6–12 for nearly 35 years in Key West schools, sharing her love of literature and language with generations of local students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Liana is the owner of Conch Media Group, LLC, and the creator and manager of The Key West Post. Her goal is to keep readers informed about the issues that matter most in Key West. As a lifelong local, she offers a perspective often missing from corporate media and from journalists and bloggers who are new to the island.  When Liana isn't writing and managing this website, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. On most days, you’ll find her walking, biking, or running outdoors, soaking up the natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse cultures that make Key West so special.

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