I agree with this logic completely. And in fact, the person reporting is not declaring that there is an infraction. He / she is asking community standards to determine whether or not there is an infraction.

Is this an actual lawn ornament, or a garden gnome statuette? Do the deed restrictions define "lawn ornament?" If so, what is that definition? Does the offending object fit that description?

I see photos on the Villages homefinder page, that very proudly display all kinds of things "under the eves" of the front of the dwelling. Most of them are crosses, in full view of the sidewalk out front, and not even in an actual garden. They're not, however, "on the lawn." So does that make them "not lawn ornaments?" These are not the old properties where restrictions are less restrictive, either.

Buttonwood, Pinellas, south of 466. Some are patio villas, some courtyard villas, and some ranch and designer homes. So it's not even "oh well "those" types of homes are exempt."

So as I see it, it really depends on the object and whether or not it's actually on a lawn. If it's on a lawn, it's absolutely positively a lawn ornament, by definition.

But if it's not on a lawn - and if it's a garden critter, or a religious symbol (like a cross) or even a 2-foot planter shaped like a golf cart and growing morning glory vines up a miniature wrought-iron trellis - then it's not a lawn ornament.

Kinda. But not exactly. It all makes good sense to those who bought here and signed the deed restrictions. We have had them before for decades. I prefer deed restricted PLANNED communities. I do so like them Sam I am.

Many houses have there entire front yard covered with rocks. But, the dictionary defines a lawn as a grassy area. So, I guess lawn ornaments would be allowed on a rock covered yard?

Wish we had more "Trolls" Don't understand people who voluntarily enter into a contract and then refuse to honor their agreement. Hope the trolls stay diligent .

The covenants are different for every district but for District 9

"Lawn ornaments, or yard art, generally refers to manmade items located anywhere outside the structure or footprint of the home..."

and it goes on and list things like statues, wind chimes and other things as examples of yard art.

So lawn ornaments wouldn't be allowed in the rock covered areas.

Thank you all for the discussion, I was looking for what appears to be an "urban legend". While I was NOT the object of any action, at least 2 neighbors were, and I was doing the research for them. While I generally support the existing system, this recent example appears to be people just cruising around looking for infractions. Items reported were actually appreciated by many neighbors......
This appears to be an abuse of the system, but that is a discussion for another day.
Again thank you for all of the discussion and points of view.

Go right to the source, and ask the horse (Deed Compliance 352-751-3912) about the "urban legend".

So it wasn't even the people IN the neighborhood doing the complaining? Wow. That's pretty pathetic. If their lives are so miserable that they have to create problems where none exist, then they need to just find a nice cave to move into, where nothing can bother them ever again.

I get that rules are rules. I also get that this seems to be a 'if it ain't broke, don't whine about it' situation, where minor infractions are overlooked as long as the neighborhood is okay with it and no one complains. If it gets to be more than a minor infraction, or becomes more prevalent in the neighborhood, someone will complain, and it'll be dealt with then. But there's no reason to go to other parts of The Villages just so you can point out what's wrong with THOSE houses THERE - unless you just really get a sick twisted kind of kick out of minding everyone else's business.

Really don’t see anything wrong with that yard; I pass it every time I come home from work. It’s plants and they look a lot better than some of the lawns along that same street. To each his own....

I like it. It’s different and plants seem well cared for.

:agree:, as I personally don't have a problem with well-maintained cactus instead of the usual landscaping...as long as they don't create a hazard.

Speaking of which, there used to be an Aloe plant that partially hung out into the golf cart lane, between the 8th and 9th holes on Glenview's Stirrup Cup (Talley Ridge Dr.).

Every time I went past it, I could just envision a cart hugging the curb, a passenger not paying attention and those points on the leaves...doing some serious physical damage (think chain saw).

It's since been removed (massively trimmed?) and I'm guessing it was because I was far from the only one...who had the same concern.

Here's a Google pic of before it was removed/trimmed and if you look closely, you can see where it had been partially trimmed at the very bottom...because the leaves were in the cart lane.

I agree. Everyone moved here knowing these restrictions existed. I appreciate that some people think their gaudy lawn ornaments look good, but a lot of people don't feel that way, and the restrictions are actually one of the reasons why I moved here.

I just received my paperwork today, did not have to sign the restriction paperwork, not sure if you have to sign it at the closing. It clearly says lawn ornaments and not yard ornaments which means nothing on the grass. As far as where the bushes and mulch are is not lawn as there is no grass.

Troll is a much too charitable description.