[Michael 61]

Hi folks -

So this is more of a PSA as Dewilson said -

I just called the ARC, staining or painting of driveway DOES require pre-approval by the ARC in District 13 (and probably other districts as well, but you would need to verify). You need a picture of your home, and either a picture of the design you want along with color examples (no glaring designs are permitted, nor bold or neon colors).

The reason for my post here was:
1) Not a single neighbor of mine that I know has obtained ARC approval for the staining of their driveways in my villa neighborhood.
2) Several contractors told me “you can get ARC approval if it makes you feel better, but most people don’t bother with it”.

So lesson here - just because you receive a “majority” opinion, doesn’t mean you are getting the straight scoop - do your own homework always “trust, but verify”.

I hope this post is helpful to other newbies, and more-seasoned residents alike. 😀

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Bogie - I thought we agreed you wouldn’t address me going forward - I know my presence here really annoys you, and I can’t do anything about that - you seem to enjoy going out of your way to “put me in my place” - I don’t get it.

I do believe you need ARC approval for anything you do outside that’s visible to neighbors. The risk in not getting it is you could be asked to re-do it, and be fined daily until you do. Not worth the risk IMO.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Hi folks -

So this is more of a PSA as Dewilson said -

I just called the ARC, staining or painting of driveway DOES require pre-approval by the ARC in District 13 (and probably other districts as well, but you would need to verify). You need a picture of your home, and either a picture of the design you want along with color examples (no glaring designs are permitted, nor bold or neon colors).

The reason for my post here was:
1) Not a single neighbor of mine that I know has obtained ARC approval for the staining of their driveways in my villa neighborhood.
2) Several contractors told me “you can get ARC approval if it makes you feel better, but most people don’t bother with it”.

So lesson here - just because you receive a “majority” opinion, doesn’t mean you are getting the straight scoop - do your own homework always “trust, but verify”.

I hope this post is helpful to other newbies, and more-seasoned residents alike. 😀

Yep, not surprised. It constantly boggles my mind how many people here in DeLuna make changes without getting approval. Some day it’s going to bite many of them in the behind. 🙄

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy

Yep, not surprised. It constantly boggles my mind how many people here in DeLuna make changes without getting approval. Some day it’s going to bite many of them in the behind. 🙄

I agree Nana- same here with many in Richmond -

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

So lesson here - just because you receive a “majority” opinion, doesn’t mean you are getting the straight scoop - do your own homework always “trust, but verify”.

I hope this post is helpful to other newbies, and more-seasoned residents alike. 😀

[SHIBUMI]

Just did that.........call 352-751-3912.....they will check your district requirements.....told me to take a picture of it currently, fill out a form describing what you will be doing to it and within 2 weeks you will have an answer...best error on the safe side and check, its only a phone call away

[Sully2023]

I would tell anyone - read your paperwork the villages gave you! Anything you change or added to the exterior of your home I would get ARC approval. It’s a simple process. Get the form and submit pictures to them. This is not one of those cases where you do something and ask for forgiveness. You will NOT be forgiven! Instead you can be fined daily until something is fixed.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Bogie - I thought we agreed you wouldn’t address me going forward - I know my presence here really annoys you, and I can’t do anything about that - you seem to enjoy going out of your way to “put me in my place” - I don’t get it.

Michael, he’s only pointing out the obvious. It’s called logic. Sorry.

[Transplant]

I keep a folder with all my approvals in case I sell my home someday. This will given to the buyer.

[RatattacK79]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Will I need ARC approval before staining my driveway? Thanks.

It depends on what district you live in. District 12 requires no ARC approval.

[RCJ61]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Hi folks -

So this is more of a PSA as Dewilson said -

I just called the ARC, staining or painting of driveway DOES require pre-approval by the ARC in District 13 (and probably other districts as well, but you would need to verify). You need a picture of your home, and either a picture of the design you want along with color examples (no glaring designs are permitted, nor bold or neon colors).

The reason for my post here was:
1) Not a single neighbor of mine that I know has obtained ARC approval for the staining of their driveways in my villa neighborhood.
2) Several contractors told me “you can get ARC approval if it makes you feel better, but most people don’t bother with it”.

So lesson here - just because you receive a “majority” opinion, doesn’t mean you are getting the straight scoop - do your own homework always “trust, but verify”.

I hope this post is helpful to other newbies, and more-seasoned residents alike. 😀

We just had our Driveway stained a few months ago in Newell. We did get approval. We did it all online, never had to call anyone. You can check the minutes in the ARC meetings and see your approval there.

RCJ

[KatieRN]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Thanks - not a single neighbor of mine has obtained ARC approval before staining their driveway. On a side note, none have obtained ARC approval for their landscape work either, which I think is crazy. So far, I have obtained ARC approval for anything I’ve done outside of my home. My neighbors seem to think I’m a little paranoid, but I am a “rule follower”, or try to be anyway, and I don’t want any problems down the road. Funny, that some of my contractors don’t bring up ARC approval.

We met with the ARC people in person to ask all of our questions before we did our landscaping. They told us you need ARC approval for anything you do that can be seen by them on the outside of your home. That pretty much summed it up for us that you need approval for pretty much everything. We had our landscaping done by P&E Landscaping and they absolutely brought up ARC approval and that they would obtain it for us. We too are rule followers and would not have gone with them if they had tried to persuade us not to get ARC approval. We dont want trouble after the fact by not getting it.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Thanks - not a single neighbor of mine has obtained ARC approval before staining their driveway. On a side note, none have obtained ARC approval for their landscape work either, which I think is crazy. So far, I have obtained ARC approval for anything I’ve done outside of my home. My neighbors seem to think I’m a little paranoid, but I am a “rule follower”, or try to be anyway, and I don’t want any problems down the road. Funny, that some of my contractors don’t bring up ARC approval.

Legitimate contractors will insist on ARC approval. It’s a red flag if they don’t. IMHO

[Michael 61]

Update-

I was back at the ARC office this morning, as I needed to provide some additional paperwork. I asked quite a few questions (note these responses are only for District 13, you may want to check your own deeds for your own district.)

Inserting a glass window within your front door does not need ARC approval.

Gutter installation does not need ARC approval, as long as they are nothing out of the ordinary or painted an unusual color.

If someone has had work done outside the home, and failed to obtain ARC approval, but feels that the work they have done is in compliance with their deeds, they can submit photos and paperwork of the work they did, and if it was found to be “deed compliant” they can still obtain a compliance certificate after the fact (the worst that could happen is you may be determined not to have been compliant, which means no certificate of compliance would be issued, you would only be fined in the future if someone issues a complaint on you).

If doing landscaping work, you need a site plan - and you need to show the distance of your plants from your easement. I was never given a copy of my site plan at closing (apparently that used to be the case, so some people may already have a site plan) - if not, they are easy to obtain on the Sumter County website.

You need photos of all areas where work will be done.

You need proof of ownership (tax bill will work, or copy of your title if you are new and haven’t paid property taxes yet).

I have found the people at the ARC to be very professional, helpful, and most of all kind and empathetic. It has been a good experience so far working with them.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Thanks - not a single neighbor of mine has obtained ARC approval before staining their driveway. On a side note, none have obtained ARC approval for their landscape work either, which I think is crazy. So far, I have obtained ARC approval for anything I’ve done outside of my home. My neighbors seem to think I’m a little paranoid, but I am a “rule follower”, or try to be anyway, and I don’t want any problems down the road. Funny, that some of my contractors don’t bring up ARC approval.

And that Michael is exactly the way everyone should be. I too have asked for and received approval for everything I have done, it's cheap insurance for sure. A couple years ago I was riding my bike and saw that someone had put 3 graves with tombstones in their front yard, I assume for lost pets. That would have been good for Halloween but this was permanent, they were made to take them down.