[Carl in Tampa]

Our lanai is little more that an 8' x 10' back porch that looks like it was enclosed as an afterthought. One wall is identical to the exterior of the house.

We were considering enlarging it and I have read the VCDD ARC pages and the District 4 (Marion County) pages. It appears to me that you cannot get a "general reaction" to what you are considering doing, but rather you must submit the formal application and the required plat maps (samples on the web site) before you can get a response.

The problem with this, of course, is that there will be considerable expense in getting a contractor to draw up plans and prepare a cost estimate for the work.

I am interested in the experience of others who have gone through the process, either successfully or unsuccessfully.