Residents propose limited removable boat canopies; committee asks staff to study ordinance history and enforcement

Residents and waterfront homeowners asked the Punta Gorda Isles (BSI) community advisory committee on June 16 to support a change to city rules that currently prohibit boat canopies, presenting a narrow plan for removable, overhead-only canopies to protect boats from sun and mold.

The group’s spokesperson, Christopher Dykes, told the committee the proposal would permit removable, neutral-colored curved-top canopies with no side or end panels and maintenance and storm-removal rules. “Our proposal is to change the ordinance, to allow for the for a narrow range of boat canopies,” Dykes said. He asked the committee to record “no objection” to further consideration by City Council.

The request comes after residents said the existing prohibition creates practical problems for owners who must routinely install and remove full covers, leading to sun damage and mold. Realtor Chuck Eichner and insurance professional Jim Nolan were cited during the presentation to support the claim that canopies are commonly permitted in nearby jurisdictions; Nolan wrote that in his experience as an adjuster and agent he “cannot recall a single incident where a canvas boat canopy caused damage to a neighboring property.”

City staff cautioned the committee that permitting, inspection and enforcement capacity are key issues. Rachel Berry, the city zoning official, described staffing limits: enforcement is largely complaint-driven and “we don't have staff to do that at the moment,” and added that a permit could require the property owner to waive access restrictions so staff could inspect. Public Works supervisor Mark Storm said canopies must not impede public works activities such as seawall repair and crane operations.

Committee members asked about conflicts of interest, manufacturers and storm safety. Dykes said the proposers have no financial ties to manufacturers and that local suppliers exist. On storm safety he said newer canopy designs are removable and can be taken down “in less than 30 minutes.” Committee members and staff stressed that boat-lift engineering, attachment points and potential side loads on existing lifts are substantive engineering questions raised by prior storm damage.

Public comment included residents both for and against the change. Opponents worried about visual consistency, long-term wear and local enforcement; Bill Schmidt said neutral colors “are gonna be neutral within a couple of years and all gonna look terrible,” while Bruce Pivak urged leaving Chapter 6, Article 2 unchanged.

After discussion the committee did not make a formal recommendation to change the ordinance. Instead members expressed openness to further consideration and asked City Council to direct staff to research four items before any recommendation: (1) the code history and rationale for the current prohibition in Chapter 6, Article 2; (2) model ordinance language and building/engineered standards (including whether Florida building codes apply); (3) permitting, inspection and enforcement options (including whether applicants would be required to permit staff inspections); and (4) legal review of potential indemnities or permit conditions (for example responsibility for removal for seawall work and indemnification for storm-caused damage).