Core rules12
Occupancy / age restrictions
Restricted
The community is for persons 55 years of age or older, with at least one occupant per home being 55+. No permanent residents under 19, and temporary visits for those under 19 are limited to 30 days per calendar year. Hardship exceptions for residents between 19 and 55 may be granted by the Declarant, provided 80% adult occupancy is maintained.
“All homes that are occupied must be occupied by at least one person who is at least fifty-five (55) years of age. No person under nineteen (19) years of age may be a permanent resident of a home, except that persons below the age of nineteen (19) years may be permitted to visit and temporarily reside for periods not exceeding thirty (30) days in total in any calendar year period.”
Declaration · Section 1. · p.6
Last verified 2026-07-17
Rentals / leasing
Not addressed
Short-term rentals
Not addressed
Pets
Restricted
Birds, fish, dogs, and cats are permitted, with a maximum of two pets per Homesite. Owners are responsible for pet damage, immediate removal and disposal of excrement, and keeping pets on a leash. No other animals, livestock, or poultry are allowed.
“Birds, fish, dogs and cats shall be permitted, with a maximum of two (2) pets per Homesite. Each Owner shall be personally responsible for any damage caused to any dedicated or reserved area by any such pet and shall be responsible to immediately remove and dispose of any excrement of such pet and shall be responsible to keep such pet on a leash. No other animals, livestock, or poultry of any kind shall be raised, brod, or kept on any Homesite or on any dedicated or reserved areà.”
Declaration · Section 6. · p.6
Last verified 2026-07-17
RVs & campers
Restricted
Trailers are prohibited from being erected on any homesite, except temporarily for construction purposes.
“No outbuilding, tent, shack, garage, trailer, shed, utility building or temporary building of any kind shall be erected, except temporarily only for construction purposes.”
Declaration · p.1
Boats
Not addressed
Parking
Restricted
Vehicles must be parked, stored, or kept wholly within the owner's driveway, garage, or other non-visitor parking spaces; trucks over 3/4 ton, campers, boats, trailers, aircraft, or any non-private non-commercial vehicles are prohibited from parking spaces, though a boat may be kept in the garage with the door closed.
“No Owner of a Homesite shall park, store, or keep any vehicle except wholly within his driveway, garage or other non-visitor parking spaces. No truck in excess of 3/4 ton, camper, boat, trailer, or aircraft, or any vehicle other than a private non-commercial vehicle may be parked in a parking space except a boat may be kept in the garage with the garage door closed.”
Declaration · Section 20. · p.9
Last verified 2026-07-17
Fences
Restricted
Fences, hedges, walls, or other dividing instrumentalities are prohibited from being constructed or maintained on any Homesite, unless built by the Declarant or its transferees according to existing architectural plans.
“No fence, hedge, wall, or other dividing instrumentality shall be constructed or maintained on any Homesite, except that Declarant and the transferees of Declarant may construct fences in accordance with existing architectural plans.”
Declaration · Section 7 · p.6
Architectural approval
Requires approval
No colored concrete or driveway coatings are permitted without prior written consent from the Declarant or an architectural review committee. No outbuilding, tent, shack, garage, trailer, shed, utility building or temporary building of any kind shall be erected, except temporarily only for construction purposes. Nothing shall be altered in, constructed on, or removed from any dedicated or reserved areas except with the written consent of the Declarant.
“No outbuilding, tent, shack, garage, trailer, shed, utility building or temporary building of any kind shall be erected, except temporarily only for construction purposes. Clear (non-colored) concrete and driveway coatings are permitted. No colored coatings are permitted without the prior written consent of Declarant, its designee, or an architectural review committee appointed by Declarant or Declarant's designee.”
Declaration · Section 8. · p.1
Last verified 2026-07-17
Home business
Restricted
No business of any kind is permitted to be conducted on any residence, with the exception of the Declarant's business of developing and selling Homesites.
“No business of any kind shall be conducted on any residence with the exception of the business of Declarant and the transferees of Declarant in developing and selling all of the Homesites as provided herein.”
Declaration · Section 2 · p.6
Signs
Restricted
No signs of any kind are permitted without prior written consent from the Declarant, except for customary name and address signs and one 'for sale or rent' sign, which must be no larger than 12x12 inches, located wholly within the residence, and only visible through a window.
“No sign of any kind shall be displayed to public view on a Homesite or any dedicated or reserved area without the prior written consent of the Declarant, except customary name and address signs and one sign advertising a property for sale or rent which shall be no larger than twelve (12) inches wide and twelve (12) inches high and which shall be located wholly within the residence and only visible through a window of the residence.”
Declaration · Section 4. · p.6
Last verified 2026-07-17
Setbacks
Not addressed
Exterior & architectural4
Antennas, solar panels, generators & equipment
Not allowed
No aerials, satellite reception dishes, or antennas of any kind are permitted within the Subdivision, except as specifically allowed by law, and any improved device must be previously approved by the Declarant in writing.
“No aerials, satellite reception dishes, or antennas of any kind, nor window air-conditioners of irrigation wells are permitted within the Subdivision, except as specifically allowed by law. The location of any improved device will be as previously approved by the Declarant in writing.”
Declaration · Section 10. · p.7
Last verified 2026-07-17
Conservation, wetlands & environmental
Restricted
No unauthorized person may enter any wildlife preserve. Owners must ensure construction complies with surface water management plans. No building, residence, structure, or activity is permitted in wetlands, buffer areas, and upland conservation areas without prior approval from the District.
“No unauthorized person may enter onto any wildlife preserve set forth within the areas designated as such in the Development Order entered into in connection with the Villages of Surater, a Development of Regional Impact, or as it may be amended from time to time. Each Owner shall ensure that any construction on the Homesite complies with the construction plans for the surface water management system pursuant to Chapter 40D-4, F.A.C., approved and on file with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). No Owner of the property within the Subdivision may construct or maintain any building, residence, or structure, or undertake or perform any activity in the wetlands, buffer areas, and upland conservation areas described in the approved permit and recorded plat of the Subdivision, unless prior approval is received from the District pursuant to Chapter 40D-4, FAC.”
Declaration · Section 18. · p.8
Last verified 2026-07-17
Driveways & walkways
Restricted
No ingress or egress to or from any Homesite is permitted except via driveways and sidewalks originally constructed by Declarant. Except as originally constructed by the Declarant, no driveways, walkways, cartpaths or access shall be located on or permitted on any road right-of-way, walkway or cartpath.
“No ingress or egress to or from any Homesite is permitted except pursuant to such driveways and sidewalks as originally constructed by Declarant.”
Declaration · Section 7. · p.6
Last verified 2026-07-17
Property & structure upkeep
Restricted
Owners must repair their residence to a condition comparable to its initial construction, excepting normal wear and tear, and maintain their homesite, side yard easement, driveway, and the unpaved area between the roadway and homesite in a mowed, edged, neat, and clean manner.
“Each Owner shall, athis sole cost and expense, repair his residence, other than as otherwise provided for herein, keeping the same in condition comparable to the condition of such residence at the time of its initial construction, excepting only normal wear and tear. Each Homesite Owner shall be responsible for maintaining in a mowed, edged, neat and clean manner.”
Declaration · Section 1. Maintenance Obligations. · p.9
Last verified 2026-07-17
Landscaping & yard4
Clotheslines / outdoor drying
Not allowed
The hanging of clothes or clotheslines or placing of clothes poles is prohibited to the extent allowed by law.
“The hanging of clothes or clotheslines or placing of clothes poles is prohibited to the extent allowed by law.”
Declaration · Section 10. · p.7
Last verified 2026-07-17
Holiday & seasonal decorations
Restricted
Lawn ornaments are prohibited, except for seasonal displays that do not exceed a thirty (30) day duration.
“Lawn ornaments are prohibited, except for seasons displays not exceeding a thirty (30) day duration.”
Declaration · Section 4. · p.6
Last verified 2026-07-17
Landscaping & lawn maintenance
Restricted
Irrigation water provided by VWCA is for irrigation purposes only and cannot be used for human or pet consumption, bathing, washing, car washing, or any other non-irrigation use. Potable water may not be used for irrigation, except for supplemental irrigation of annuals and heat-stressed areas using a hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle; sprinklers on a hose connection are not permitted.
“The irrigation water provided by VWCA is suitable for irrigation purposes only. The irrigation water can not be used for human or pet consumption, bathing, washing, car washing or any other use except for irrigation. Owners covenants to ensure that no one on the Homesite uses irrigation water for any non-irrigation purpose. Potable water may not be used for irrigation, except that supplemental irrigation with potable water is limited to annuals and the isolated treatment of heat stressed areas. All supplemental irrigation utilizing potable water rmust be done with a hose with an automatic shutoff nozzle. Use of sprinklers on a hose connection is not permitted.”
Declaration · Section 7. · p.8
Last verified 2026-07-17
Mailboxes
Not allowed
Individual mailboxes are not permitted on Homesites; mailboxes are provided by the U.S. Postal Service and housed by Declarant for a one-time lifetime charge, which is re-charged to new owners upon transfer of title.
“Individual mailboxes may not be located upon a Homesite. Mailboxes are provided by the U.S. Postal Service at no cost to Owner, however, those boxes shall be housed by Declarant at a one time lifetime charge to Owner of $190.00 per box.”
Declaration · Section 16. · p.7
Last verified 2026-07-17
Vehicles & parking1
Commercial & non-passenger vehicles
Restricted
Owners are prohibited from repairing or restoring motor vehicles, boats, trailers, aircraft, or other vehicles on any portion of their homesite or dedicated/reserved areas, except for emergency repairs necessary to move the vehicle to a proper repair facility.
“No Owner of a Homesite shall repair or restore any motor vehicle, boat, trailer, aircraft, or other vehicle on any portion of any Homesite, or on dedicated or reserved areas, except for emergency repairs, and thea only to the extent necessary to enable movement thereof to a proper repair facility.”
Declaration · ARTICLE IX. PARKING RESTRICTIONS · p.9
Last verified 2026-07-17
Use & conduct4
Insurance & rebuilding after damage
Restricted
If a residence is damaged or destroyed, the owner must rebuild, repair, or reconstruct it to substantially restore its prior appearance and condition within two months of damage and complete it within six months, unless prevented by governmental authority.
“If all or any portion of a residence is damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty, it sball be the duty of the Owner thereof, with all due diligence, to rebuild repair, or reconstruct such residence and walls in a manner which will substantially restore it to its appearance and condition immediately prior to the casualty. Reconstruction shall be undertaken within two (2) months after the damage occurs, and shall be completed within six (6) months after the damage occurs, unless prevented by governmental authority.”
Declaration · Section 5. · p.9
Last verified 2026-07-17
Noise, nuisance & conduct
Restricted
Owners must use their property to allow neighbors to enjoy theirs, with radios, record players, television, voices, and other sounds kept at a moderate level from 10:00 p.m. to one hour before daylight. This does not apply to Declarant's construction noises.
“Owner(s) shall use his property in such a manner as to allow his neighbors to enjoy the use of their property. Radios, record players, television, voices and other sounds are to be kept on a moderate level from 10:00 p.m. to one (1) hour before daylight. These restrictions shall not apply to construction noises being made by the Declarant.”
Declaration · Section 3. · p.7
Last verified 2026-07-17
Solicitation & yard sales
Restricted
The Declarant reserves the right to prohibit or control all peddling, soliciting, selling, delivery, and vehicular traffic within the Subdivision.
“The Declarant reserves the right to prohibit or control all peddling, soliciting, selling, delivery and vehicular traffic within the Subdivision.”
Declaration · Section 14. · p.7
Last verified 2026-07-17
Trash & recycling
Restricted
Rubbish, trash, garbage, or other waste must be kept in sanitary containers concealed from public view until placed curbside. Once curbside, garbage must be in Declarant-prescribed plastic bags, placed no earlier than the day before pickup, or in a dumpster if required by Declarant. All garbage must be in fully closed and sealed plastic bags. Owners must use the Declarant-selected carrier and pay charges year-round, regardless of occupancy. Declarant reserves the right to require participation in a curbside recycling program.
“Prior to being placed curbside for collection, no rubbish, trash, garbage, or other waste material shall be kept or permitted on any Homesite or on dedicated or reserved areas except in sanitary containers located in appropriate areas concealed from public view. Once placed curbside for collection, all garbage will be contained in plastic bags prescribed by Declarant and placed curbside no earlier than the day before scheduled pick-up. In the alternative, the Declarant shall have the right to require that garbage be placed in a dumpster and not placed curbside. In either event, all garbage must be contained in fully closed and sealed plastic bags prescribed by the Declarant.”
Declaration · Section 11. · p.7
Last verified 2026-07-17