Hedges as barriers

[HollyandPeter]

Hi - we are looking at relocating to the Villages in mid 2022. I could use some assistance understanding what is and what isn't possible with landscaping for homes without existing walls (courtyards and verandas). Is it possible to use hedges as barriers for privacy and to aid in providing a little doggy spot behind one's home? Or are we allowed to do some type of fencing around a larger patio that for example would be a 3' white picket fence just around a non covered patio? Thanks

[cmfjr]

I strongly suggest you contact community standards, 352.751.3912 to learn about the various Districts Requirements.

[Mleeja]

Hi - we are looking at relocating to the Villages in mid 2022. I could use some assistance understanding what is and what isn't possible with landscaping for homes without existing walls (courtyards and verandas). Is it possible to use hedges as barriers for privacy and to aid in providing a little doggy spot behind one's home? Or are we allowed to do some type of fencing around a larger patio that for example would be a 3' white picket fence just around a non covered patio? Thanks

There are some homes, not villas, built with privacy fences in the back yard. When you start working with a realtor, be sure to mention this.

People do use hedges as privacy barriers. There may be restrictions for utility easements so you would need to be careful where they are planted. I have seen where folks have put small decorative “fences” around a patio. As a general rule, fences are not allowed. This topic and others are covered in the deed restrictions. I would suggest reviewing these before you buy. This is all public information and can be found online.

[Bjeanj]

You won’t know what deed restrictions to look at until you have narrowed down the area in which you wish to live. THEN you can look at the deed restrictions for that district, which a sales person can help you with.

[Stu from NYC]

You won’t know what deed restrictions to look at until you have narrowed down the area in which you wish to live. THEN you can look at the deed restrictions for that district, which a sales person can help you with.

I would not put my total trust in a real estate salesman? Better to contact community standards before you purchase a house and be sure of what you are allowed to do.

[villagetinker]

Agreed look at the Deed restrictions, and if necessary get the plot plans from the county government office do you know exactly where all the boundary lines are, for example, we have a 20 foot right of way at the back of our home for utilities, basically nothing allowed in the area, which means the hedges would end up almost next to the house......

[HollyandPeter]

Ideally we would like to be central, between 466 and 466A, but just south of 44A would looks promising. I had heard there were some villages that allowed some fencing or experimented with it. Any suggestions? Thanks again and we definitely check out the district covenants. I've lived all over the country and feel like we are needing to research even more on this last move :)

[JSR22]

Ideally we would like to be central, between 466 and 466A, but just south of 44A would looks promising. I had heard there were some villages that allowed some fencing or experimented with it. Any suggestions? Thanks again and we definitely check out the district covenants. I've lived all over the country and feel like we are needing to research even more on this last move :)

Nash Loop in the village of Duval off of Canal has ranch homes that are fenced.
Duval is between 466 and 466A.

[njbchbum]

Hi - we are looking at relocating to the Villages in mid 2022. I could use some assistance understanding what is and what isn't possible with landscaping for homes without existing walls (courtyards and verandas). Is it possible to use hedges as barriers for privacy and to aid in providing a little doggy spot behind one's home? Or are we allowed to do some type of fencing around a larger patio that for example would be a 3' white picket fence just around a non covered patio? Thanks

The recommendations to review deed restrictions for the areas you are interested in are most important Village Community Development Districts (https://www.districtgov.org/departments/community-standards/download.aspx)

Many of your questions just might be located here Village Community Development Districts (https://www.districtgov.org/) . And when it comes to external rules look here VCDD Community Standards (https://www.districtgov.org/departments/community-standards/DistrictAdoptedRules.aspx)

Hope this helps.

[westernrider75]

There are some homes south of 44 that have picket fences behind the house, you could check into those.

[Rwirish]

Why no contact Community Standards?

[Nancymacy]

Because I can reply to a message, I am again asking how do you post on this thread for some reason I am having a difficult time as I have attempted several times and no post ever shows! It should not be this difficult! Would appreciate full instruction!!

[coconutmama]

Hi - we are looking at relocating to the Villages in mid 2022. I could use some assistance understanding what is and what isn't possible with landscaping for homes without existing walls (courtyards and verandas). Is it possible to use hedges as barriers for privacy and to aid in providing a little doggy spot behind one's home? Or are we allowed to do some type of fencing around a larger patio that for example would be a 3' white picket fence just around a non covered patio? Thanks

The Veranda models have fences but the new ones are overpriced in my view. However in the new Village of Bradford there are also a very limited number of homes with white picket fences. They back to other homes, I believe.

Ask your realtor, but check deed compliance for the area you decide on. Good Luck & Welcome!

[DebbieMcQuady]

Ideally we would like to be central, between 466 and 466A, but just south of 44A would looks promising. I had heard there were some villages that allowed some fencing or experimented with it. Any suggestions? Thanks again and we definitely check out the district covenants. I've lived all over the country and feel like we are needing to research even more on this last move :)

If you have small pets, I wouldn't let them outside without being on a lease. Coyotes and birds of prey have been known to grab them up. The best way to keep them protected is to keep them leased and close to you.

[PugMom]

Ideally we would like to be central, between 466 and 466A, but just south of 44A would looks promising. I had heard there were some villages that allowed some fencing or experimented with it. Any suggestions? Thanks again and we definitely check out the district covenants. I've lived all over the country and feel like we are needing to research even more on this last move :)

you should probably look into homes in the newer areas, south of 44--they have homes with built in fencing, perfect for dogs.

[davem4616]

Because I can reply to a message, I am again asking how do you post on this thread for some reason I am having a difficult time as I have attempted several times and no post ever shows! It should not be this difficult! Would appreciate full instruction!!



If all you want to do is to reply to a post, click on 'reply with Quote'...that way others will know what you are responding to. I just sent you a PM on how to start a new thread.

[DIver0258]

As many have said community standards and deed restrictions will have the answers. When looking for your home look a the plat. They are available from the county website in the county you will be purchasing in. Armed with your plat you will know what all setbacks are and know what is possible.

Another option is to have a cage attached to your lanai with a small potty are for the pups. We are having a pool installed, the contractor is adding a potty area for our two small puppies.

We also have a small area around our ac & pool pump area not visible from the street that we have close plantings to give the pups another area to go. All have been approved by the ARC.

[njbchbum]

Because I can reply to a message, I am again asking how do you post on this thread for some reason I am having a difficult time as I have attempted several times and no post ever shows! It should not be this difficult! Would appreciate full instruction!!

Your question[s] should be answered here - https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-new-members-forum-115/

[bpascani]

We just had TONS of work..landscaping, patio extension, pergola, summer kitchen in our back yard. The landscaping was designed for our privacy, but to look nice on the neighbors' sides as well. We didn't want it to look like a barrier of the same high, hedge looking stuff. The main rule was that the back of the beds had to be 3 ft from the property line, so we did lose a bit of 'yard to use', but still have decent enough for a dog to un around, for sure 25lbs or so. We go approvals for EVERYTHING. Each of our several contractors handled the approvals, and we got copies before the work began. (We have 5 neighbors involved, new to the area, and hadn't met all of them). 4 months after work was done, we got notice of a complaint...supposedly from one of our neighbors...maybe..or, maybe one of the folks we interviewed that we didn't hire..BUT, because everything had been approved by HOA, county, and everyone else, we had no issues! Everything stays as is, and we love it!! SO GET APPROVAL FOR EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU START!

[MandoMan]

Hi - we are looking at relocating to the Villages in mid 2022. I could use some assistance understanding what is and what isn't possible with landscaping for homes without existing walls (courtyards and verandas). Is it possible to use hedges as barriers for privacy and to aid in providing a little doggy spot behind one's home? Or are we allowed to do some type of fencing around a larger patio that for example would be a 3' white picket fence just around a non covered patio? Thanks

Pretty much anything you plant or remove needs to go through the local Architectural Review Committee for your Area. If I recall correctly, in my neighborhood of Tierra del Sol there is a five foot utility easement on each side of each lot where no shrubs or trees can be planted—only grass or some other options. So for me, with a big birdcage, I have a 4’ wide strip where I can plant a hedge. There are also lists of shrubs and trees that are allowed or not allowed. I have no trouble with this. Invasive species are not allowed. Some shrubs have flowers and some don’t. Some grow taller and some don’t. Some grow quickly and some don’t. Some are denser than others. Landscapers know all this stuff.

What you must NEVER do is just stop by a nursery, buy a few shrubs, and plant them right between the two properties. If you have a landscaper do the planting, you still need approval BEFORE planting. Follow the rules and all will be well.

[dkaufnelson]

There are so many rules and regulations about what you can and cannot do re: landscaping, it's definitely best to find the area where you like, then check their rules there. Generally speaking you can't put fences anywhere unless the Villages has already done them. You also can't plant anything within 3' of your property line which makes privacy hedges hard. There are also required 3' distances around utilities and even longer distances from streets and other easements. Many more rules that are explained in our property restrictions. Even when you think something is allowed, you will have to submit a written plan to the ARC [architectural review committee] to make sure it's allowed in your neighborhood. You'll need to tell your realtors what you need before you search to make sure they take you to the right areas, but will also have to check regulations to make sure what your hear is correct. Courtyard villas have fences and some small areas south of rte 44 have designer homes with fences, but you need to tell your realtor you want a fenced yard if that's important to you. Many people plant hedges around their lanais to get privacy and keep the plantings at least 3 ' from property lines, away from utilities and easements. Good Luck!

[THUNDERCHIEF]

The longer you wait, the more it will cost you- MAKE UP YOUR MIND

[judithamorrison]

You won’t know what deed restrictions to look at until you have narrowed down the area in which you wish to live. THEN you can look at the deed restrictions for that district, which a sales person can help you with.

You could research which deed restriction areas would allow you to do what you would like, then look for a home in that area.

[patty40]

We put in an electric fence for our large dog. Has worked for us!

[NYCAROL]

I wanted a fence for my dog. Villages at the time did not allow fences.. so we bought a courtyard Villa. I have since moved to the village of hemmingway on nash loop. This was an experiment with homes and privacy fences in back enclosed. I love it and my dog has a place to run and play . There are a few homes for sale in this area. Check it out. Only other homes with fences other than villas are in the new areas here and there.

[carolar2000]

At first glance that seemed like a good idea to me too. I moved here 6 years ago and had the visual barrier planted. Bad idea. Water use is very expensive. Generally $90/month. After you water them you have to trim them. It never ends. But it sure looks good. After a couple of months of my 3 dogs escaping I got the Invisible fence. My dogs wear their collars all the time when we are home. One of the dogs ran across the line in the driveway the first week we had it. She was so scared she ran right back in. The others saw that and they never have tried to cross again unless they need new batteries. We I added a room to my house I had the fence moved so they wouldn’t get near the construction. Worked perfectly. After construction I had the fence moved back. One of my dogs is deaf, but with the training and flags and watching the other two dogs she has never had a problem. Hope this helps.

[dzine]

There are some homes south of 44 that have picket fences behind the house, you could check into those.
Actually south of 44, in the Fenney area, there are a number of areas where homes have fences and a lot of privacy at the back. That is rarely found in other parts of TV.

[HollyandPeter]

Nash Loop in the village of Duval off of Canal has ranch homes that are fenced.
Duval is between 466 and 466A.

Thank you

[HollyandPeter]

We just had TONS of work..landscaping, patio extension, pergola, summer kitchen in our back yard. The landscaping was designed for our privacy, but to look nice on the neighbors' sides as well. We didn't want it to look like a barrier of the same high, hedge looking stuff. The main rule was that the back of the beds had to be 3 ft from the property line, so we did lose a bit of 'yard to use', but still have decent enough for a dog to un around, for sure 25lbs or so. We go approvals for EVERYTHING. Each of our several contractors handled the approvals, and we got copies before the work began. (We have 5 neighbors involved, new to the area, and hadn't met all of them). 4 months after work was done, we got notice of a complaint...supposedly from one of our neighbors...maybe..or, maybe one of the folks we interviewed that we didn't hire..BUT, because everything had been approved by HOA, county, and everyone else, we had no issues! Everything stays as is, and we love it!! SO GET APPROVAL FOR EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU START!

Thank you for the great information and glad all went well.