Appearance Review Board

The Appearance Review Board (ARB) is an advisory board to the Orlando City Council established to review applications for Certificates of Appearance Approval and make recommendations regarding whether to approve, approve with conditions or deny such applications.  The ARB replaced the former Downtown Development Board Development Review Committee (DRC) effective January 1, 2012. 

ARB PowerPoint Presentation

Members

 The ARB is comprised of seven citizen members nominated by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, after consultation with the Chair of the Downtown Development Board.  At least five members of the ARB live, work or own property within the downtown Community Redevelopment Area.  Current ARB members are as follows:

• Michael Beale
• Jeff Bush
• Stephanie Darden
• Tim Lemons
• Daisy Staniszkis
• Matt Taylor
• Greg Witherspoon

Jurisdiction

The ARB only reviews development that is:

• located within the boundaries of the City of Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency’s downtown Community Redevelopment Area, and
• visible from the public right-of-way, and  
• required to obtain a building permit, engineering permit, sidewalk café permit, or right-of-way encroachment permit.
• including exterior paint color, though a permit is not required.

The following activities are exempt from ARB review:

• Work on property within a historic preservation overlay district
• Work on a designated Orlando historic landmark
• All work associated with a single or two-family residential use, except for the post demolition condition of vacant land.
• Maintenance work not involving a change of materials or design
• Structures and improvements approved as a temporary use for less than 61 days.

Work on property within a historic preservation overlay district or on a designated Orlando historic landmark is subject to review by the Orlando Historic Preservation Board based on ARB appearance standards.

Regulations & Standards

ARB regulations are provided in Sections 65.120 - 65.125 and Sections 65.510 - 65.519, Orlando City Code (adopted by Ordinance No. 2011-29 on August 29, 2011).  In their review of applications for appearance approval, the ARB applies relevant appearance standards found in:

• the City of Orlando Growth Management Plan,
• the Orlando City Code,
• the City of Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency’s community redevelopment plan adopted pursuant to Part III, Chapter 163, Florida Statutes,
• the adopted Downtown Orlando Design Guidelines,
• the adopted Downtown Orlando Streetscape Guidelines, and
• the adopted Façade Design Guidelines.

Types of Certificates of Appearance Approval

Major Certificates of Appearance Approval.  The following types of cases are subject to Major certificates of appearance approval:  

1. New streetscaping, including master streetscape plans.
2. Signs equal to or greater than 30 square feet in area, including master sign plans   proposing signs cumulatively equal to or greater than 30 square feet in area.
3. New construction of principal structures except as otherwise provided by this section.
4. New construction of parks and plazas, and substantial improvements thereto. 
5. Highrise signs.
6. Accessory structures equal to or greater than 120 square feet in area.
7. Substantial improvements to existing buildings that include exterior work.
8. Telecommunications equipment visible from the public right-of-way.
9. Any work typically requiring a minor certificate of appearance approval if a major certificate of appearance approval is requested by the applicant or required by the Appearance Review Official.
10. Any work typically requiring a minor certificate of appearance approval if the minor certificate application is denied by the Appearance Review Official or if the applicant objects to conditions of approval.

Minor Certificates of Appearance Approval.  The following types of cases are subject to Minor certificates of appearance approval:  

1. Banners.
2. Foundation skirting.
3. Awnings and canopies.
4. Landscaping for individual buildings.
5. Outdoor cafes.
6. Menu board signs.
7. Signs of less than 30 square feet in area.
8. Amendments to master sign plans.
9. Structures and improvements approved as temporary uses.
10. Accessory structures less than 120 square feet in area.
11. Fences, walls, retaining walls, street walls, and gates.
12. Mechanical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and irrigation equipment.
13. Above-ground utilities.
14. Alterations to existing streetscaping.
15. Alterations to existing parks and plazas.
16. Playground equipment.
17. Exterior paint color, material, and finish.
18. Driveways, walkways, steps, and paving.
19. Exterior lights.
20. Public and private art visible from the public right-of-way.
21. Exterior cladding material, roofs, doors, windows, and architectural detailing.
22. Post-demolition condition of vacant land.
23. All other work requiring a certificate of appearance approval and not otherwise determined to be work requiring a major certificate of design approval.

Review Procedures

Major Certificates of Appearance Approval.  Applications for Major certificates of appearance approval are subject to review by the ARB in accordance with the following procedures:

1. Applicant contacts ARB staff to schedule a pre-application meeting. The ARB application will be distributed at this meeting.
2. Applicant files application form and materials after pre-application meeting.
3. ARB staff issues a written determination of completeness or identifies missing items and informs applicant (within 5 days of receiving application).
4. ARB staff schedules application for ARB meeting per ARB meeting schedule.
5. Applicant posts a “public notice’ placard (provided by ARB staff) at least 7 days prior to ARB meeting.
6. ARB staff issues a staff report at least 7 days prior to ARB meeting.
7. ARB considers application and forwards recommendation to City Council.
   1. If City Council grants approval or approval with conditions, Appearance Review Officer issues Certificate of Appearance Approval within 5 days of City Council action.  Applicant may then apply for building permits (subject to any other approvals that may be required from Municipal Planning Board, Historic Preservation Board or Board of Zoning Adjustment). 
   2. If City Council grants approval with conditions or denies application, applicant may file a quasi-judicial appeal or submit a revised application. 

Minor Certificates of Appearance Approval.  Applications for Minor certificates of appearance approval are subject to review by the Appearance Review Official in accordance with the following procedures:

1. Applicant contacts ARB staff to schedule a pre-application meeting. The ARB application will be distributed at this meeting.
2. Applicant files application form and materials after pre-application meeting.
3. ARB staff issues written determination of completeness or identifies missing items and informs applicant (within 5 days of receiving application).
4.  ARB staff issues a written decision of approval, approval with conditions or denial (within 15 days of completeness determination).

1. If approved or approved with conditions, Appearance Review Official issues a Certificate of Appearance Approval (within 5 days of written decision).  Applicant may then file application for building permits.
2. If denied or approved with conditions, applicant may file a request (within 5 days of written determination) for review by ARB or submit a revised application.

Meeting Schedules, Agendas and Minutes