Are cement and granite sculptures allowed in side gardens out of view?
 

I used to have a koi pond in my last house so I have some expensive granite Japanese benches, 4 foot tall pagoda, etc. Are yard ornaments allowed in in a side yard if no one will see it from the front yard? I'm new to the villages and wondering if I can bring these items? I have an end unit (small patio villa) with a bird cage wrapped around the front and side. So these items would go against the wall that no one can see unless they enter my patio. I don't know the rules for garden art and what is accepted. My backyard opens to an open field and a bike path.

You can always list them in The Village Classifieds! I am sure a bench may look fine! Downsizing is the key here

Call:
Community Standards
Phone: 352-751-3912

But hard for anyone to object,,,,,since cannot be seen from the front.

I was told by someone at community standards that no one can report anything that is not visible from the street. Otherwise there is a violation of privacy.

Sounds like you can have a small Japanese garden outside your birdcage. Very nice.

I agree. If you can't see it, there's nothing to report.

You mention moving them. I would photograph them, your proof if they are damaged it was done in transit. Packing it? Hopefully both the benches and the pagoda come apart to make it easier to pack. Insurance from the mover. Check before you decide what to do. I've not checked since we moved roughly 8 years ago. If, I recall the normal insurance is like thirteen cents a 100 pounds. Hum, they damage your bench and you will discover it is insured for something like thirteen cents without you paying for replacement insurance. You may decide to have the mover pack it. You can probably do a better job but they exercise far more care for stuff they have packed as they know they cannot claim it was not properly packed.

And remember if you're paying someone to move your stuff, you will be paying by the pound. It might be less expensive to donate your garden art, and buy new ones when you get here.

Sounds like a really nice arrangement, can you post a few photos?

If you intend to have a koi pond here, note they could be dinner for the hawks and eagles.

We have had a koi pond for 15 years….no hawks or eagles. One fish was stolen by a Blue Heron. Nearly invisible bird netting over the pond solved the loss of anymore fish.

Who cares? This is supposed to be a retirement community, not a morgue. If you paint your house purple and erect a purple elephant statue in your front yard, right next to me, I might say something, but who cares what you do with your backyard?

(By the way, I actually had a neighbor once in Texas who did that. She wound up buying my house rather than remove the purple elephant! In fact, she eventually bought up the entire street, renamed it "Street of Dreams" and turned it into an art colony!)

An art colony sounds infinitely more interesting than the sardine cans of the courtyard villa neighborhoods!