Guest Writer: HARC Rainbow Fence Violations in Key West Historic District
- Guest Writer
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
The following letter was presented during public comment by Dr. Penny Walker at the HARC meeting on January 27, 2026:
The Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC) in Key West maintains clear and longstanding guidelines regarding fences, as reaffirmed in its December 16, 2025 memorandum on “rainbow fences in the historic district.”
This memo clearly states, in the HARC exterior colors guidelines, wood fences and gates be painted white or remain unpainted in a natural wood finish. Multicolored or “rainbow” fences do not fall within the traditional Key West color palette and would therefore require HARC Commission review if proposed as a permanent alteration.
Staff does not recommend allowing a number of pickets to be painted, even in small sections, as doing so would be inconsistent with the guidelines and could set a precedent that complicates future reviews of non-traditional fence colors or patterns. In addition, staff recommends maintaining the current guidelines which require that wood fences be painted white or remain natural wood for compliance with HARC guidelines and any proposals should require HARC commission review.
In the City of Key West HARC Guidelines:
Page 16
“5. Distinctive features, finishes, and construction techniques or examples of craftsmanship that characterize a historic property shall be preserved.”
Page 19
“These standards recognize that some exterior and interior alterations to the historic buildings are occasionally needed to assure continued use, but it is important that such alterations do not radically change, obscure, damage, or destroy character – defining materials, features, or finishes.”
Page 35
“Specifically states under TRADITIONAL COLORS OF KEY WEST:
Wood fences & gates: white
Iron fences & gates: dark green or white”
The City of Key West was added to Florida’s Certified Local Government (CLG) Program in 1991. The CLG Program was enacted as part of the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980. The program links three levels of government - federal, state and local - into a preservation partnership for the identification, evaluation and protection of historic properties.
Designation as a certified local government, either as a municipality or a county, makes historic preservation a public policy through passage of a historic preservation ordinance. The ordinance establishes a historic preservation board to develop and oversee the functions of its historic preservation program.
Since its inception in 1986, Florida’s Certified Local Government Program has assisted in the survey, designation and preservation of thousands of historic and cultural resources and it has helped to increase public awareness of historic preservation.
Participation in the program is also an important consideration in the local planning process, as governments in Florida are required to address historic preservation in comprehensive planning decisions. By identifying historic resources in a local government’s comprehensive plan, proposed development projects will be reviewed for consistency with preservation goals and strategies.
Through the Florida Division of Historical Resources’ (FDHR) Small Matching Grants program, CLGs in good standing are eligible to compete for pass-through subgrants funded by the Historic Preservation Fund grant that the FDHR receives annually from the National Park Service.
The federal CLG subgrants may be for survey, planning and National Register nomination projects. In addition, Small Matching Grant match funding requirements are waived for all grants awarded to CLGs in good standing, whether state or federally funded.
The nonconforming violations of the HARC guidelines significantly impact the historic nature of the neighborhood (my neighborhood).
At the December 17, 2025, Key West HARC meeting, the commissioners discussed broadening exceptions to the historic guidelines to permit these nonconforming situations by calling them temporary exceptions.
This approach suggests HARC does not intend to enforce or is considering changing its existing guidelines in clear violation of its primary historic purpose and in violation of its obligations as a Certified Local Government. Residents of the historic neighborhood do not support such violations of the Key West HARC guidelines.
It took decades of dedication to earn our place on the National Register, and even longer to preserve it. Please fly your pride flags proudly—just avoid painting fences or structures in ways that could jeopardize our city’s historic status. Let’s celebrate who we are while protecting the heritage we’ve all worked so hard to maintain.
With all due respect, the HARC commission does not have the legal authority to change how code enforces violations. Code violations are enforced by code officers. There is already a legal process which currently follows Florida Statute Chapter 162.
Resource Links:
For more information about this issue, read The Key West Post article here.
To submit a letter to the editor, get directions at bottom of the page here.
Jan. 27, 2026 HARC meeting agenda and video can be found here.
If you would like to contact the Key West City Commissioners about this issue,
the e-mail links can be found here.
Comments