[OBXNana]

After reading the forum for a little over a year it seems all the problems in The Villages can be solved quite easily with houses being owner occupied and no pets. So many discussions go one of two directions and the threads become quite heated.

Personally, I find it entertaining. In fact, in many circumstances I can tell what stand the poster will be on with both subjects without reading the thread!

[jalopy54]

It would not surprise me if you don't have a I Allow Dogs Stake in your lawn. You are probably asking for it, that is poop and pee after dark. So, I really don't think pet owners in TV would appreciate this. I guess they are saying

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

Bogey -- I agree with you. The dog "problem" is not specific to only The Villages. The problem is, before some of these people moved to The Villages they had to turn the other cheek and get on with their life whereas dogs were concerned. Now -- they have a vehicle to voice their venom -- it's called TOTV! The dog issue is age-old, on-going and will continue on ad infinitum.

While off topic, I find that Villagers continually beat a dead horse on certain subjects (such as dog walking and dog poop) and delight in changing the meaning of what a person says. Most of these old farts have too much time on their hands and need to create some constructive things to do other than bitching and moaning about dog poop.

The problem is inconsiderate pet owners who need to be confronted when someone sees "it" happening instead of crucifying the world.

I agree with you, Bonanza, and I also believe that certain posters on this forum bring the dog thing up either to keep stirring up the pot or to blast, passively aggressively, those of us dog owners whom they don't like for one reason or another. So they decide to get at us through our sweet puppies.

No worries... I'm currently sitting at a dog friendly beach hotel with dog on bar deck. Lots of scratchy-scratches being given to himself by strangers. In real life outside TOTV, dogs are loved. Actually, outside of the forum, my dog is loved.

[Carl in Tampa]

The discussion has evolved to different understandings of the concepts of "right of way," "easements" and "public domain."

I think many of us have brought these concepts here from other jurisdictions and perhaps we are not educated on what is the legal understanding here; particularly since we are in three different counties which may have different laws.

Also, although most residential areas in TV do not have sidewalks in front of their houses, there are some that do. Does this make a difference? Looking through our purchase paperwork today I could not find a plat map of the house, so my question is:

Does the actual property line of the property extend all the way to the edge of the street? If not, that area between the property line and the street is open for pedestrians, dogs or even for golf carts to pull off of the pavement. It is not an "easement" of your property. It's simply not yours.

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Just as an example, the plat map of my home in Tampa shows that my property line is at the edge of my front sidewalk which is nearest to my house. Accordingly, if my sidewalk requires maintenance or repair (which it does when oak tree roots make it uneven) it is the responsibility of the county to fix it.
I have no standing to forbid people from walking on the sidewalk or that portion of land between the sidewalk and the street.

But, in spite of this there is a county ordnance that requires me to properly maintain the "lawn" between the sidewalk and the edge of the pavement, and to pay for trimming the oak trees growing in this area. In addition, I am forbidden from cutting down these trees.

The "easement" for underground utilities and access for maintenance and repairs at my house is in the back yard. There is a 20 foot wide (10 feet on my property and 10 feet on my neighbor's property) swath on which no structure can be built and from which any vegetation may be removed without reimbursement to me, that is reserved for the utility companies to have access.

Roadways in Florida generally consist of the paved portion of the road, an unpaved shoulder, and in some cases an additional width of property. The definition for this entire width of property is the Right of Way. There are some congested areas in the state where you will see roadside signs saying "No Parking on The Right of Way." They are referring to the entire width of the property.

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Returning to TV. Look at your plat map. If your property line survey extends all the way to the pavement, then the entire front lawn is yours. If not, it isn't. Simple as that.

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I don't have a dog in this fight...........literally. I'm allergic and can't live with dogs. But I love them and they are welcome on my lawn. I would prefer that their owners pick up after them but won't develop the vapors if it doesn't happen.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by CFrance

No worries... I'm currently sitting at a dog friendly beach hotel with dog on bar deck. Lots of scratchy-scratches being given to himself by strangers. In real life outside TOTV, dogs are loved. Actually, outside of the forum, my dog is loved.

Closing my eyes real tight and my pup and me are right there with you. So, if you feel a lick on your ankle, it's only my Gilda.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

.... so my question is:

Does the actual property line of the property extend all the way to the edge of the street? If not, that area between the property line and the street is open for pedestrians, dogs or even for golf carts to pull off of the pavement. It is not an "easement" of your property. It's simply not yours. ....


Returning to TV. Look at your plat map. If your property line survey extends all the way to the pavement, then the entire front lawn is yours. If not, it isn't. Simple as that. ......

The property line does not run to the curb and the 10-15 feet between your line and the curb is not your property but per the deed restrictions, you are required to maintain it.

I've had two houses in two different sections of the Villages in Sumter Co.

The first house had a survey and clearly shows that the property line ends 25 feet from the center line of the street. It shows a 15 foot lawn area between my line and the curb, i.e. the street is not 50 feet wide but 20 foot wide. The 15 foot section between the curb and the property line is not mine but my deed restrictions require I maintain it.

My current house does not have a survey but the street plat shows that my property line is 25 feet from the center line of the street. The plat shows the street is 50 feet wide, but it is not 50 feet wide, it is 28 feet wide, so the same condition as house one applies to my current house as well, 11 feet of the lawn is not mine.


So, the 10-15 foot swath of lawn next to the road is your to maintain and it is open for anyone to "trespass" on it, including dogs.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by gustavo

The property line does not run to the curb and the 15 feet between your line and the curb is not your property but per the deed restrictions, you are required to maintain it.

I've had two houses in two different sections of the Villages in Sumter Co.

The first house had a survey and clearly shows that the property line ends 25 feet from the center line of the street. It shows a 15 foot lawn area between my line and the curb, i.e. the street is not 50 feet wide but 20 foot wide. The 15 foot section between the curb and the property line is not mine but my deed restrictions require I maintain it.

My current house does not have a survey but the street plat shows that my property line is 25 feet from the center line of the street. The plat shows the street is 50 feet wide, but it is not 50 feet wide, it is 30 feet wide, so the same condition as house one applies to my current house as well.


So, the 15 foot swath of lawn next to the road is your to maintain and it is open for anyone to "trespass" on it, including dogs.

Please don't try to confuse us with FACTS.

[Carl in Tampa]

To add fuel to the (dwindling) fire.......................

Is "clean up after your dog" a law, regulation, or simply an unenforceable "courtesy?"

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

To add fuel to the (dwindling) fire.......................

Is "clean up after your dog" a law, regulation, or simply an unenforceable "courtesy?"

That's a good question, because in at least two places we've lived, it's a law or ordinance, punishable by fine. I've never researched our county (Sumter) because we don't do any of that stuff that people get so upset about.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Originally Posted by gustavo

The property line does not run to the curb and the 10-15 feet between your line and the curb is not your property but per the deed restrictions, you are required to maintain it.

I've had two houses in two different sections of the Villages in Sumter Co.

The first house had a survey and clearly shows that the property line ends 25 feet from the center line of the street. It shows a 15 foot lawn area between my line and the curb, i.e. the street is not 50 feet wide but 20 foot wide. The 15 foot section between the curb and the property line is not mine but my deed restrictions require I maintain it.

My current house does not have a survey but the street plat shows that my property line is 25 feet from the center line of the street. The plat shows the street is 50 feet wide, but it is not 50 feet wide, it is 28 feet wide, so the same condition as house one applies to my current house as well, 11 feet of the lawn is not mine.

So, the 10-15 foot swath of lawn next to the road is your to maintain and it is open for anyone to "trespass" on it, including dogs.

Thank you for this very informative post and also to you, Carl, for getting this started. All I wanted to know was if I could walk my dogs down the street without harassment. Things are looking up and maybe now I won't actually have to fear getting run over by a vehicle if I have to move to the side to let one pass.

Oh and CFrance, jealously envisioning your lovely time and that of Crosby also. Have fun with all the attention.

[Buffalo Jim]

Just ran out of pop-corn .

[mfp509]

It all boils down to common sense and courtesy. I have a dog and I do not allow him to go up onto people's lawns - period. He is constantly reminded - "on the edge". I pick up, if it happens along our walk and if there are any remnants (not usually), I pour water from my water bottle and wash it. A little respect goes a long way.

[Stdole]

I would like to know how the dog owners are going to repair my lawn after the dogs urinate or how they are going to clean up the urine?

Yes, I did own a dog for 12 yrs. but I know my limitations in The Villages
and all who bought and own property here also knows the regs. Stop the
excuses and take responsibility for getting the bills that will come your way
at some point.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by scarecrow1

I used to do street construction and I think there is a right away that you maintain only and it goes into most properties. Therefore no one is trespassing on anyone's property.
Can we stop with the dog posts for a while and have a rest please! !!

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