Courtyard Villas-Landscaping

[mikers31]

If this has been answered before, I appolgize. Within the walls of Courtyard Villas, what landscaping are you allowed to do. Realizing restrictions from the roads are necessary and if you don't have a wall there are restrictions but, what we are wondering; can you put in flower planters, can you rip out concrete and put in more grass or vice-versa. Can you put in a vegetable garden. Can you paint the inside of the wall. Thanks in advance for your response.

[Taj44]

It is my understanding that no one (courtyard or otherwise) can put in a vegetable garden. I wish TV would ammend that rule so people could at least put in a few tomato plants. There may be some clause that says you must maintain a certain percentage of your lawn space as grass. But I know there are some villas that do have rocks or gravel backyards instead of grass, so maybe it varies on the type of villa you have. Can anyone help us out here?

[OpusX1]

Hmm. I don't know about vegetable gardening. I have seen tomatoes in planters/pots. Landscaping needs to be approved by the architectural revue. Pretty easy. Not sure about taking out the concrete but if the revue approves you are ready to go. Courtyard Villas are the only properties that you may remove all grass. All other properties have a minimum percentage that must be grass. You can paint the wall but it must be approved. I have seen some neat murals.

[BarryB]

I have a court yard villa. The side and back of house is mostly concrete with shrubs around the edges in some kind of straw. The front is also shrubs and straw. I want to replace the straw with stones. Was told I have to submit a form to the review board for approval

[Barefoot]

Courtyard villas normally have high walls. I don't know how anyone could police what is done in the back yards. I haven't seen any Neighborhood Watch guys climbing the walls yet!

Some of the new CYVs have pine needles and no grass at all.

If you have a view lot with a short back fence, that is a different story.
Our yard is clearly visible from the golf course. But I still wouldn't worry about growing a few tomatoes.

[OpusX1]

Barry. That is correct. The form is simple. You drop it off on Monday morning and pick up the approval on Wednesday. No cost if you have a lot plot map, if not you are supposed to show the changes on the plot map that is available from Sumter county Bldg dept. 466 at Morse if you are in Sumter county. Cost is $5. you get several copies and you can make more copies yourself. Now if you live in Marion county you must make a trip to Ocala to pick up the plot map. It is an extra step that most people did not have to do pre-TV but it keeps the place looking nice in my opinion.

[golfski]

I am wondering how well the courtyard villas that have concrete side and back yards drain during heavy rain storms?

[OpusX1]

Our CYV has a storm drain in the back yard. Most I have seen have a storm drain. I have not seen or heard of drainage problems.