[ajs922]

We have a small dog and plan to purchase in TV soon. We were wondering if it would be possible to put a bird cage in the back of the home. Here is where the question comes in. We would want to put it over the lawn and not over concrete so the dog could go out on his own and lay on the grass.. If needed we would put in "footers" around the bird cage. Hope this is not a way out question.

[Phanatic Luvr]

I would think it would depend on how big of a lot your home sits on. If you back up to another home, you are very limited.

[weaverk65]

I have seen a few bird cages that haven't been all cemented on the ground. One of our neighbors has a garden planted in their birdcage.

[shalomuall]

our neighbor has garden spots in her bird cage on both sides. we are backing to a golf course

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by ajs922

We have a small dog and plan to purchase in TV soon. We were wondering if it would be possible to put a bird cage in the back of the home. Here is where the question comes in. We would want to put it over the lawn and not over concrete so the dog could go out on his own and lay on the grass.. If needed we would put in "footers" around the bird cage. Hope this is not a way out question.

The company that installed our birdcage said that the floor had to be concrete in order to get a building permit. We asked if we could have partial grass and they said it used to be possible, but no more. I have no idea if that is truly the "rule".

[Happinow]

It is the rule. Floor has to be hard surface or no permit. We had neighbors in the culdesac behind us put a large caged in area on the side of their house for the dog with no concrete. They dug it all out, put a wall up and the cage and then their intensions of a no concrete lanai got around the neighborhood. They either had to pour a minimum of 85% hard surface floor (concrete, pavers) or tear down the wall and screen. The villages is very strict about this policy.

[Patty55]

How about if you build with pavers, build to code and then dump a few yards of topsoil on it and plant grass?

I'd take lots of pictures during the construction because you know that one of your neighbors will complain.

[angiefox10]

Kinda sad when the neighbors are upset because a dog might do their business on someone's lawn... but turn them in when they try to find a solution.

There are legal ways to get around it with ARC approval. I know many people who have done it.

I was taken to a home in Laural Manor. The owners built a birdcage with a very large planter. They planted palms in there with rock. *shrug* I think the dogs might use it as a run... don't know. You know... You just can't control some dogs. *shrug*

[tommy steam]

Make sure what ever you do ,to get it reviewed by the ARC. If you don't you may have problems with neighbors. In my neighborhood , I understand, someone put a patio with a wall around it . Someone complained that it was too high and now that wall has too be lowered. On your sight plan it will show how far you can expand a bird cage. I live on a corner ,and on that side I could only go out 5 feet with a birdcage. Not worth it to me for such a small area.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by ajs922

We have a small dog and plan to purchase in TV soon. We were wondering if it would be possible to put a bird cage in the back of the home. Here is where the question comes in. We would want to put it over the lawn and not over concrete so the dog could go out on his own and lay on the grass.. If needed we would put in "footers" around the bird cage. Hope this is not a way out question.

These folks can answer your question.
Community Standards
Phone: 352-751-3912
Fax: 352-751-6707

[ajs922]

Want to thank all of you for your feedback. Have some thinking to do now.

[DonH57]

Have you considered invisable fence. A much cheaper and safe alternative.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by DonH57

Have you considered invisable fence. A much cheaper and safe alternative.

We do love our invisible Dog Watch fence. It's been a great solution for our two dogs. And as Don says, it's less expensive than building a bird cage. But dogs always must be supervised with an invisible fence because predators can enter the fenced area.

ajs922, I'm sure you must be aware that you can buy a walled courtyard villa with a lawn inside the walls?

[DonH57]

Agree 100% about watching out for predators. Our lab is always outside with me anyway.

[btf2008]

AJS922,

We just had the exact bird cage that you described built by Brian Terry Vinyl. They added a 40' x 18' bird cage onto our Lanai and 28' x 9' of it is over grass, the other end is a concrete patio. The narrow end of the bird cage that encompasses the dogs grass area is secured to a 9" footing that ties into the Lanai concrete. This was all engineered and then approved by the ARC of course. This included moving and adjusting the sprinkles to keep the grass under the bird cage watered. Pretty awesome if you ask me!

Give Wayne Terry a call at 352-365-0068. We just had this job completed in March 2013 so this information is current. And depending on where you live in TV dictates what your easement requirements are. Contrary to popular belief, they are not all the same.

I was also told this could not be done by the good and sometimes uninformed folks on this website. And perhaps it couldn't at one time but with all things, things change...sometimes for the good. Good Luck!

BTF2008