ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The St. Augustine city attorney talked about the bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis that protects historic sites from demolition.
St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Shaver expressed her excitement after DeSantis signed the bill.
The new legislation amends the code enforcement fines for demolishing historic properties, addressing concerns that the previous maximum fine of $5,000 was insufficient to deter such actions.
Lopez explained the details of the bill. “It’s a bill that amends the code enforcement fines for demolishing a historic property,” she said. “Prior to this bill, the maximum was $5,000 if you demolished a historic structure without a permit. That amount could be perceived as the cost of doing business.”
The new law introduces a fine that can reach up to 20% of the property’s just value, as determined by the property appraiser. “It’s not a static number but a percentage that adjusts with the property’s valuation over time,” Lopez noted. This change aims to create a more effective deterrent against unauthorized demolitions.
Lopez emphasized the importance of education in conjunction with the new law. “We want to encourage people to come into our planning and building department to discuss their options instead of tearing down historic structures,” she said. “There are historic preservation tax credits available for those who take on renovation projects.”
She also highlighted the need for community awareness, especially as Florida attracts many newcomers who may not be familiar with local regulations. “A lot of people may not understand that you can’t just go out and get a demo permit to tear down a building without going through the proper process,” Lopez explained. “We’re rolling out education initiatives to help people understand the value of historic materials.”
The previous $5,000 fine was a long-standing statute that did not adequately address the issues faced by historic towns. Lopez shared that many instances of unauthorized demolition occurred due to a lack of understanding among contractors unfamiliar with St. Augustine’s regulations.
“We’ve had folks bring in contractors who would change all the windows from historic to contemporary styles without realizing the implications,” she said. “The goal is to deter such actions and invite discussions about preservation.”
Lopez expressed relief at the bill’s passage after a two-year process. “We’re very grateful to Senator Leak and Representative Greco for their support in getting this bill through the legislature,” she said. “It’s a significant step toward preserving our city’s rich history.”
St. Augustine is home to numerous buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with many contributing to historic districts. Lopez noted that almost all of downtown St. Augustine falls under this historic designation.
That includes the governor’s house, homes, and neighborhoods like Lincolnville, Flagler Model Land, Abbott Tract, North City, Nelmar Terrace, and Fullerwood.
The law goes into effect July 1, and it isn’t just for demolishing old buildings, but something as simple as swapping out a historic window or redoing historic floors.
“If a commercial person came in here, it would be either a cinder block building or adobe building, just cookie cutter, yep, door frame they get from your local hardware store,” Danny Cochran said, who’s visiting from out of town.
Lopez said this adds another brick to preserving Florida’s oldest city, and the history found here.
