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.