Board approves special exception after permit error for 6,000 sq ft Punta Gorda pole barn

The Charlotte County Board of Zoning Appeals approved SE-26-012 on Sept. 9, permitting a 6,000-square-foot pole barn at 40211 Little Farm Road in Punta Gorda after staff said a permit for the structure was issued in error in April 2026.

Senior planner Elizabeth Nocek told the board the property is roughly 2.54 acres and that the permit error was discovered in August 2026 after construction had begun. Staff found the lot’s coverage would remain well under the 40% maximum with the proposed pole barn and concluded the pole barn is compatible with surrounding large lots, single-family residences and agricultural uses. Nocek recommended approval with conditions that limit the exception to the submitted site plans, require all permits and set standards if the barn is enclosed in the future.

The property owner testified he pulled a permit in good faith, that a photo inspection showed an issue and that he is working with staff to make the structure conforming. The owner said the barn is for personal use (vehicle storage and a covered basketball court) and emphasized no hazardous materials would be stored.

A board member moved to approve SE-26-012 based on the staff report and attached conditions; the motion received a second and passed by voice vote. The board attached the recommended conditions, including that any major changes require modification of the special exception and that the approval applies only to the lands and site plans submitted to the board.