[TOMCAT]

I just want to know, are you allowed to grow a vegetable garden in your backyard of a villa in the Villages? Do you have to hire a landscaper or are you allowed to do your own grounds? Also, what are the rules about barbecueing and clothesline to hang up clothers to dry, etc.

[elevatorman]

Courtyard villa probably not a problem for veg garden. You can take care of your lawn and landscape. Closeline, as long as it can't be seen from the street........

[nussbaum]

We have a clothesline and tomato plants in our courtyard villa backyard, and are thinking about putting in more vegetables next year or this fall. Your yard is your responsibility, so whatever you want done is your call. We have all stone and no grass in our villa complex which is wonderful.

[gadaboutgal]

That's the first I've heard about any restrictions of a clothesline. I suppose if the only sun you get on your yard is the front of the home, then by law you would definitely be able to put it there. When, where did The Villages mandate clotheslines only in the rear of the home?

[gadaboutgal]

Forgot to mention that if you want to grow rocks or mulch in your yard instead of a lawn, you are also allowed to by Florida law even if The Village covenants demand that you have grass. New law passed last year to address water conservation issues throughout the state.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by gadaboutgal

Forgot to mention that if you want to grow rocks or mulch in your yard instead of a lawn, you are also allowed to by Florida law even if The Village covenants demand that you have grass. New law passed last year to address water conservation issues throughout the state.

I was told by The Villages that a house can only have 30% of the property with rocks or mulch. CYVs don't have that restriction. So that is a very interesting piece of information.

Thanks Gadaboutgal!

[gadaboutgal]

The Villages will tell you a lot of things that are not enforceable, you just have to be an aware citizen. Just for reference, here is the specific Florida statute: Section 373.185 Section 3B, signed into law in 2009.