09/15/2022
Well the new Board certainly took the bit between their teeth. Some provisions of these rules are illegal as they conflict with the governing documents. Other provisions such as nuisance can be interpreted to stop the use of whole house generators. And most golf carts don't have brake lights and they are not required as these are private roads. Oh, and if you put in a fence after 7/01/22 without a 5 foot gate you will not get your lawn mowed, but if you did it before then no problem. This may be construed as selective enforcement and subject to litigation.
SERENOA HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
RULES AND RESTRICTIONS (DRAFT 9.22)
This is an abbreviated set of rules. Refer to the Declaration of Covenants for a complete set.
For any modifications to the exterior of your house, including roofs, rain gutters, paint, landscaping, shutters, etc., please refer to the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) guidelines.
Air Conditioning Units
• No window air conditioning units may be installed on any Lot.
Driveways, Walkways, Sidewalks and Mailboxes
• All driveways, walkways, sidewalks and mailboxes shall be maintained in the style originally established and kept clean of debris and rust stains, even if included in a platted common area right of way.
Exterior Maintenance of Home - Owners must maintain:
• Walls and roofs of the house
• Windows, (including washing, repairs or replacement)
• Replacing light bulbs and fixtures,
• Repairing any hardware systems for entry or garage doors or other functions beyond those of a "cosmetic" nature.
• Lanai, patio or similar structure, as well as any swimming pool and related deck and equipment, will be maintained in a clean, orderly and neat condition, including all furniture and installations.
Fireworks
Owners and their tenants are responsible for all clean-up and damage to common area property resulting from the use of any fireworks from within a personal lot. Fireworks are not permitted to be used at any time in any common area (roadways and sidewalks are common areas).
Flags
• Permitted flags: American Flag, Official flag of the state of Florida, US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard or POW-MIA.
• Flags are to be no larger than 4 ½ feet by 6 feet • Flag poles must be attached to the building or installed in the ground no more than 20 feet high.
• Displayed flags must not be faded, torn or damaged in any way.
Fences
• No dog runs, pens, fences or walls are permitted on any Lot, except as approved by the Architectural Review Committee.
• Fenced yards without 5-foot access gates will not be mowed. (applies to new fences as of 7/1/22).
• Opening and closing of gates, for mowing, is the responsibility of the owner
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Garage/Yard Sales
• Garage/yard sales are not permitted except for community-wide yard sales approved by the Board of Directors.
• Estate or tag sales open to the public and held inside a residence require approval by the board for the purposes of notification to the community and issuance of a temporary gate code for entrance.
Garages
• All garage doors shall be kept closed except when a vehicle is entering or exiting the garage or while cleaning or other usual and customary activities are being conducted within or around the garage
Golf Carts
• The use of golf carts is permitted within the community of Serenoa HOA, but limited to the rules outlined below, which are intended for the safety and wellbeing of everyone residing and guests visiting the community.
o Operator must be a licensed driver; children under the age of 16 are prohibited from driving a cart within Serenoa HOA.
o To be used within Serenoa HOA, carts must be equipped with headlights, mirrors, and brake lights.
o Private carts must be insured. (Check with your insurance agent, you may have coverage under your homeowner' policy.)
o Private carts must be always kept in the garage when not in use.
o Carts are not to be driven or parked on sidewalks or grass at any time.
Holiday Decorations
• All traditional holiday decorating, except for Christmas, may begin no sooner than two weeks before and must be removed within 7 days after the holiday.
• Christmas decorations may begin the day after Thanksgiving and must be removed no later than January 15th.
Hurricane Shutters
• Hurricane shutters can be installed no earlier than 72 hours prior to the entry of a windstorm or hurricane into the geographic area or box at which point insurance carriers will no longer write or issue property insurance policies due to the approaching windstorm or hurricane.
• All hurricane shutters must be removed no later than 72 hours after the exit of said windstorm or hurricane.
Landscape Maintenance
• RED Reflector = No Trimming
• BLUE Reflector = No Round Up or W**d Control
• Every week April through October
• Every other week November through March
• Plant beds and back patio areas trimmed once per month
• Areas not accessible to mowers will be line trimmed
• Decorative lighting must not be located in the grass and should be installed in beds at a sufficient distance from edge.
• Yards with excessive dog waste will not be mowed, at the discretion of landscaping company
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• Fenced yards without 5-foot access gates will not be mowed. (applies to new fences as of 7/1/22).
• Opening and closing of gates, for mowing, is the responsibility of the owner
• Vehicles parked in driveway on mow and trim days must be at least 6 inches from edge for landscapers to maintain grass
Landscaper is NOT responsible for damage to:
• Personal items, down spouts, drain lines, hoses, etc. that are left in the grass
• Homes or vehicles while working in yards where rock is used in landscape beds
• Irrigation heads not retracting as designed
• Fencing from routine maintenance when fence does not have a mulch/landscape boarder
• Screen enclosures that do not have a kick plate at the bottom or a mulch/landscape border
• Stucco on homes with no mulch/landscape border
• Damage to decorative lighting installed in the grass or on the edge of flower beds
If homeowner repairs damage or elects to have another contractor repair damage done by Floridascapes, that expense will be the responsibility of the homeowner.
Nuisances
• Nothing shall be stored or kept that will emit foul or obnoxious odors or that will cause any noise or other condition that might disturb the peace, quiet, safety, comfort, or serenity of the occupants.
• No outside burning of leaves, trash, garbage, or household refuse is permitted.
Owner Responsibilities of Tenants and Guests
• Owners are liable for the actions of their tenants, family and guests and are responsible for informing their tenants, family and guests of the rules and regulations.
Parking and Vehicular Restrictions
• Parking on lawns, sidewalks or parallel along driveway aprons is not permitted.
• On-street parking is prohibited between the hours of 10pm and 7am.
• No commercial vehicles are to be parked or stored on any Lot
• Boats, jet-skis, wave runners, golf carts and other types of recreational vehicles, shall be kept in a garage at all times when not in use
• Motorcycles are permitted; however, they must be parked in a garage.
• Boats and RV’s are allowed to be parked in front of owner’s home for up to 48 hours for loading/unloading and cleaning.
• All vehicles parked in open view shall have a current registration.
• Inoperable vehicles shall not be allowed to remain on the property for more than two days.
• No major maintenance or repairs may be performed unless it is within the confines of a garage.
• Covers on cars kept in driveways is not permitted.
• Clubhouse Parking lot:
o Lot is for use by clubhouse visitors and board approved contractors between 6am and 10pm.
o Overflow parking for members and guests is allowed in clubhouse lot between the hours of 10pm and 7am
o Parking for longer time frames is subject to board approval.
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Pets
• Household pets are to be kept on a leash at all times when out on designated common property.
• Owners are responsible for picking up any excrement from their pet.
• Pets that become a nuisance or endanger the health or safety of others will be removed upon the request of the Board.
• Yards with excessive dog waste will not be mowed, at landscaper’s discretion.
• Aggressive pet behavior causing injury to a person or pet, will require removal
• Exotic birds are only permitted if kept in air-conditioned homes with windows closed
Play Equipment, etc.
• All bicycles, tricycles, scooters, skateboards, and other play equipment, wading pools, baby strollers, etc., shall be stored so as not to be visible from the street.
• Swing sets and similar play equipment may be erected, provided it is approved by the Architectural Review Committee.
Signs
• NO SIGN, BILLBOARD OR ADVERTISEMENT of any kind, including, without limitation, "for sale" signs, and those of real estate agents and subcontractors shall be erected.
• This includes "FOR RENT" signs, "FOR LEASE" signs and "OPEN HOUSE" signs
• No political signs or business advertising of any kind are allowed to be displayed
• Owner vehicles with commercial/business signage must be kept in enclosed garage
Trash
• Trash cans must be kept in enclosed garage.
• Owners shall not leave trash out for pick up prior to 5pm on the night prior to scheduled pick up and must be removed on collection day after pickup, no later than 10pm.
Unsightly or Unkept Conditions
• It shall be the responsibility of each Owner to prevent any unclean, unhealthy, unsightly, or unkempt condition on his or her property.
