Thinking about a new sign, fresh windows, or a storefront update in Fort Myers’ Downtown Historic District? You are not alone. Property owners and business leaders often want to improve curb appeal while protecting the character that draws customers downtown. In this guide, you will learn what a Certificate of Review is, when you need it, how the process works, what to submit, and how decisions are made. Let’s dive in.

Know your district context

The Fort Myers Downtown Commercial District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with boundaries that include Bay and Lee Streets, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, and Monroe Street. You can explore the district’s background in the National Register listing for the Fort Myers Downtown Commercial District.

Locally, Fort Myers uses a historic preservation ordinance that requires review for exterior changes in designated districts. The city’s practice refers to a Certificate of Review, and local policy is consistent with how many Florida communities manage historic changes. For a helpful overview of Fort Myers’ preservation framework, see this summary of Fort Myers historic preservation.

What is a Certificate of Review?

A Certificate of Review is the city’s approval for exterior work in a local historic district. It evaluates your proposal for consistency with local standards and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. This approval is usually required before a building, moving, or demolition permit is issued. For general Florida context, review this overview of certificates of appropriateness and the county’s process for a Certificate of Appropriateness, which parallels the city’s approach.

When you need one in Downtown

You will typically need approval for:

• Exterior alterations that change appearance, such as façade work, windows, doors, or porches.
• Additions, new construction, or infill on vacant lots.
• Demolition or relocation of buildings or significant landscape features.
• Signage, awnings, lighting, or exterior mechanical equipment visible from the street.

Some like-for-like repairs and routine maintenance may be handled administratively. Always confirm with city preservation staff before you start work. Review triggers and examples in the county’s COA guidance.

Contributing vs. non-contributing

If your building is “contributing,” reviewers will look closely at preserving historic materials and features. Non-contributing buildings and new construction are evaluated for compatibility with the district’s character. Learn more about these roles in the county’s historic preservation program.

How the review process works

Most projects follow a simple path:

1. Schedule a pre-application conversation with city historic preservation staff.
2. Submit your Certificate of Review application with required documentation.
3. Receive administrative staff review or get placed on a Historic Preservation Commission agenda for a public meeting when needed.
4. After approval, apply for and complete any required building permits.

Timelines vary by scope, completeness, and whether a public hearing is required. Fort Myers publishes average plan-review timeframes for permits, which helps you plan. See the city’s Building, Permitting and Inspections page for current guidance. Fees are set by city resolution, so check the latest schedule with the permitting office.

What to include in your submittal

Provide a complete, clear package to avoid delays. Common items include:

• Completed application and fee.
• Current photographs of all elevations and street context.
• Site plan or survey with property lines and building footprint.
• Dimensioned elevations and drawings showing existing and proposed conditions.
• Product specifications and material samples for items like windows, doors, signs, lighting, paint, or roofing.
• Construction details for how new elements attach and weatherproofing will work.
• Demolition requests may need a structural report and alternatives analysis.

Neighborhood resources point to the city’s official instructions; you can find the city’s Certificate of Review instructions via Dean Park’s resource page. For examples of the typical drawings and cut sheets reviewers expect, see this representative COA documentation checklist.

How your project is evaluated

Fort Myers applies the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. These Standards favor repairing historic materials over replacing them and encourage compatible, reversible changes. Review the Standards for Rehabilitation and the guidelines for applying the Standards.

Reviewers commonly consider:

• Scale, proportion, and massing in context with nearby buildings.
• Materials and textures, such as brick, wood, or cornice details.
• Window and door patterns, especially historic storefront configurations.
• Roof and parapet forms, and how equipment is screened from view.
• Signage size, location, lighting, and how it respects historic façades.
• Reversibility, so changes can be undone without losing historic fabric.

Permits, storms, and timing

An approved Certificate often must accompany your building permit application for designated resources. Historic review is separate from permit plan review, so budget time for both. Check current permit timelines on the city’s Building, Permitting and Inspections page.

After storms, temporary stabilization may be allowed, but larger repairs or demolition still require historic review. Local guidance balances safety and resilience with preservation. For context on local procedures, see the county’s historic preservation program.

Incentives and tax credits

Preservation can unlock financial benefits. Fort Myers administers local incentives like ad valorem tax programs, and qualifying rehabilitations may use state and federal tax credits if they meet the Standards. Start with this Florida overview of preservation incentives and the NPS page on tax-credit program Standards.

Simple success checklist

• Confirm your building’s status and district boundaries.
• Talk with city preservation staff early.
• Align your design with the Secretary’s Standards.
• Submit clear drawings, photos, and product data.
• Plan for both historic review and permit plan-review times.
• Ask about incentives if you are undertaking substantial rehabilitation.

Ready to plan your project?

If you own or lease in the Downtown Historic District, a little preparation goes a long way. With a clear scope, early conversations, and the right documentation, you can upgrade your space and honor the district’s character. When you are ready to align your real estate goals with the unique rules of downtown, reach out to Adolfo Diaz for local guidance rooted in education and results.

FAQs

What is the Certificate of Review for Fort Myers’ Downtown Historic District?

• It is the city’s approval for exterior work in the local historic district, based on local standards and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, and it is often required before building permits are issued.

Which projects in Downtown Fort Myers usually trigger historic review?

• Exterior changes that affect appearance, such as façade updates, windows and doors, additions or infill, demolition or relocation, and visible signage, awnings, lighting, or mechanical equipment.

How long does the historic review and permitting process take in Fort Myers?

• Administrative reviews may take days to a few weeks, while projects requiring a Historic Preservation Commission hearing can take several weeks or longer, plus standard building permit plan review.

Do National Register listings stop changes to my Downtown Fort Myers property?

• National Register listing alone does not restrict private changes, but the local historic ordinance does, which is why you need a Certificate of Review in the Downtown Commercial District.