[TimeForChange]

Originally Posted by LAFwUs

You maybe reading too much into it. They specify certain things, others seem to be open to some interpretation.
It also depends a lot on the village, and whose going to complain about it.
I can atest that in some of the new construction areas, many owners are doing whatever without any real permission and no one seems to care, because everyone else is also doing whatever. There is no lack of violations to the "stated" rules.

Generally speaking, anything on the inside is ok...certainly adding curtains, screens, lights, etc to the inside of the lanai is well within permissible.
No one's even going to care (or even know) if you swap out door knobs/locks/doorbell for a smart unit.
I'm not certain on visible exterior camera systems, but we met friends here in the villages that have a 6 cam set up on their exterior, ( yes, I think that's a bit excessive) I doubt they got permission. Adding outside lights may require permission, but replacing existing ones, say that are damaged or no longer working, with similar type/style shouldn't.
Now:
Paint your house bright neon purple, cut down a few 15ft palm trees, then add a barn style shed to the driveway, and some glowing signage - for your yet to be opened, drive up roller skating bikini barista and, well its going to present just a few issues...

I disagree with a portion of your interpretation. I live in a Village that is less than six years old and there have been numerous issues. Just because others or doing things and making changes does not mean that it is ok and does not require approval through ARC. Remember all it takes is one homeowner to want to make a modification and tries to get approval and is denied and his neighbor across the street made a similar change without approval. That homeowner calls ARC and ask why when his neighbor made the same change. A complaint is filed by that person, and you will have a knock on the door from ARC.