ARC approval to change landscaping?
 

Is it necessary to get ARC approval to change landscaping?
And, it you don't - then what - are you fined????

Yes and yes.

We had our bushes in front removed and had to get approval. They were mostly concerned with a) not changing the way water/rain would run off the property , and b) not going into the easement. They did also want to look at any change in elevation.

Easy to fill out form, and pictures help. The meetings are pretty quick unless there are a lot of requests.

Best to call ARC and ask them. You will get many different opinions on this site and you want to be sure. Over the years I've been here have read horror stories, folks have had to rip out rock walls, neighbors reported neighbor for not getting approvals, drainage issues and so on. In the few homes we've owned we always submit our plan and depending on what we've done, generally get a response in a week or so. Had one neighbor say "you didn't get approval did you" - we added landscaping rocks, etc......and I was happy to say "yes we did, do you want to see my paperwork." Above all protect yourself and those who may buy from you if you ever decide to move.

I hated all this paper work just to pull out a small bush, but as I drive around outside TV,
and see the junk, old cars, untrimmed trees etc., then I'm glad we have this system to control drastic changes in our landscaping.
What someone told me once: "There's new Florida and old Florida"

And they aren't always that far away from each other, sometimes just one street over!

OP, call and ask, paperwork is NO cost and typically 2 week turn around. If you are removing a plant I am guessing you will be told OK, if you are making more changes better to be safe than sorry. As for the "fine", there is no fine, but if someone complains you might have to undo all of your work....

Most important in your first question, “change landscaping”.
Removing existing plantings and replacing with the same or different in the same location….no. Kinda silly to file a request to ARC to remove a dead rose bush and replace with a wisteria.
Changing the complete layout or adding walls or curbing. Cutting down a mature tree. Of course, would require a request.
Common sense…..

It's best to call and find out. I called about a modification and was told it depends on which village you live in. We are in the Hawkins and I was told that replacing an existing plant with a different type didn't need approval but modifying an existing door (adding a decorative glass section) does. Again, it seems to be different per area.

We have had dead and dying bushes removed over the past 17 years.
Never occurred to me to have to ask permission to do so.

forgot that part!!!

Me either...
:ohdear::ohdear:

Landscaping
 

Yes, and, yes

We had overgrown bushes in the front of our villa they were a mess. At the time I had no idea that I would need ARC approval and removed them. I also replaced the ugly wood chip ground cover with river rock. That was 3 years ago, no one reported me nor was I asked to restore everything back to the way it was.

The multi page form is overly complex and confusing for simple changes.

Providing a few examples forms completed would be helpful.

I would not rely on getting answers from this forum- you may want to go to the source for reliable info! Just saying.

Xheck the archictecture review manual, half of it is specific to landscaping

VCDD Community Standards

And yes, people will report you.

My landscaper took care of doing the paperwork for us before starting.

It depends on the district - call your district customer service is all you have to do and they will inform you. some don't want any ARC some do

In my dealing with any HOA its always best to get approval first for any changes just to be safe. Have everything approved and NEVER mention anything to your neighbors - especially if you are not on the best of terms with each other - just in case they may want to cause you a problem.

:what:

Removed two sets of bushes in front of house, replaced with cement. All I had to do was make a drawing, submit it to the ARC, they emailed me back with approval in a few days, no problem.

Best to get the information for what you are doing from the horses mouth. Every district has different rules and I, personally, am glad for them.

ARC approval for landscaping
 

I have a PV I wanted to remove front grass and replace it with stone, I have about 5 neighbors that did it and liked the look. I got a few estimates and they all said you don't need approval. Well I called ARC and they said this is not allowed, they said they have about 40 cases on her desk and they will all have to rip it out. I'm glad I called.

Always safest to contact the ARC first. You will get both good and bad advice from this forum, the problem is you won’t know which until you contact the ARC.

Ohiobuckeye
 

[QUOTE=Bleudeturquoise;leu landscaping?
And, it you don't - then what - are you fined????[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately you do! It seems pretty bad when you paid & own your property but if TV didn’t do this you could amagine what some people would do. I thought like you, why do I have to get permission to redo my landscape, they wouldn’t let me put a farm wagon in my landscape area, it would of been beautiful. You see why now, Bluedeturquoise! Some people live like hillbillies.

Key word in your thoughts is "drastic". Forms and meetings and "approvals" should hardly be necessary to go into one's yard and remove a small plant or bush that has died and is unsightly. We look at an old "junk" RV that is only moved once a week or so, and untrimmed tress everywhere, ours, our neighbors, but most belonging to the Villages. The RV runs, so what is "junk", looks or condition ? They use it every so often. Are any of these things hurting us, the quality of our lives, our peace and quiet ? No ! Seems like over kill, like the outrage over the couple down the street who placed a small (and I mean SMALL) cross in a flower bed to remind them of a personal loss. Such a friendly home town. Such a huge difference in seriousness of broken eggs and broken legs, need a little common sense around here.... and now those who just can't face the day without making nasty or self-centered remarks on our social media platform will probably start out, oh well. Even with that type around, most villagers are still kind and tolerant and don't expect everyone to be exactly like them. It would be helpful if our properties were marked to indicate easements, that alone could eliminate a good portion of this constant "wrangling" and arguing about someone's this or that 2" over the property line. Sometimes you have to just smile, chuckle, and carryon the best you can by spreading a little kindness and understanding ! Was it Will Rogers who said, "people are just about as happy as THEY make up their own minds to be." ?

yes you will be fined....

Yes, I changed all my landscaping 2 years ago and the landscaping company applied for approval, if you don't and someone complains, you will have to remove it, better to be safe than sorry!

FACT..
If you didn't get approval, and the changes were within the guidelines of the ARC,
you CAN get approval after the work is done without removal, and without fines.

The nice part is about doing it this way, is you get to find out if there is a busy body close by, AND who they are. Reports are no longer anon.

Since when have complaint reports been made anonymous in ALL CDDs?

The ARC site still says "Concerns about possible deed restriction violations may be provided to the Community Standards Deed Compliance Division by phone, fax, mail, electronic mail, or in person and may be made anonymously. The Community Standards Deed Compliance Division is entirely complaint driven

Fined if you are lucky, forced to remove everything if you are not lucky.