HOA Landscaping Guidelines

Serving Greater Orlando Florida | Windermere | Oviedo | Longwood

The seamless green lawns, the perfectly manicured hedges, and the vibrant flowers that define a beautiful Florida community — that harmony doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the direct result of well-crafted HOA landscaping guidelines.

While sometimes seen as restrictive, these rules are the blueprint for a community that’s both beautiful and built to retain value. Homeowners’ association landscaping guidelines ensure every property contributes to a cohesive aesthetic that residents are proud to call home, day in and day out. As an experienced Florida landscaping company that has worked with countless HOAs, we understand how important these guidelines are.

That’s why we wanted to take the opportunity to explore the most common HOA landscaping rules, explain the reasons behind them, and show you how to navigate them with ease.

Top 5 Most Common HOA Landscaping Guidelines

When you look at the governing documents for most communities, you’ll start to see a pattern. The most common landscaping guidelines for HOAs are designed to create consistency, ensure safety, and promote the long-term value of the community.

1. Lawn and Turf Care: These rules often specify mowing height, edging requirements, and a zero-tolerance policy for weeds. The goal is simple: to promote the appearance that there’s a great deal of care taken and unify the look of the entire neighborhood.
2. Approved Plant Lists: To avoid a chaotic mix of styles, HOAs often provide a list of approved trees, shrubs, and flowers. This promotes a consistent aesthetic and encourages the use of native or Florida-Friendly plants that thrive in our sun and soil.
3. Tree Maintenance: Regulations around tree trimming and removal are crucial for safety, especially with hurricane season always in the back of our minds. These guidelines ensure trees are kept healthy and properly pruned to prevent falling limbs, while also dictating the process for removing dead or dangerous trees.
4. Mulch and Groundcover: It may seem like a minor nitpick, but making sure everyone in the neighborhood uses the same mulch is one of the easiest ways to create a polished and uniform appearance across all properties.
5. Architectural Features and Hardscaping: Rules often govern the installation of fences, patios, walkways, and decorative items. This ensures that any additions are stylistically consistent with the community’s overall design and don’t infringe on neighboring properties or common areas.

What Other Types of Regulations Do HOAs Place on Landscaping?

Beyond the basics of plants and turf, many regulations on HOA landscaping delve into the functional and environmental aspects of yard care. These rules are less about what your yard looks like from the curb and more about how it impacts the local community resources.

• Irrigation Schedules: In line with regional water management district mandates, HOAs will enforce specific watering days and times. This is critical for water conservation and helps prevent the fungal diseases that can plague overwatered Florida lawns.
• Fertilizer and Chemical Use: Many communities, especially those with ponds or proximity to natural waterways, have strict rules about fertilizer application. They may require slow-release nitrogen and prohibit application before a heavy rain to prevent nutrient runoff, which can cause harmful algae blooms.
• Yard Equipment and Storage: Rules may dictate that items like hoses, garbage cans, and children’s toys be stored out of sight when not in use to maintain a tidy appearance.
• Vegetable Gardens: While many HOAs are becoming more welcoming to edible gardens, they often place restrictions on their location, requiring them to be in a backyard or concealed from street view to preserve aesthetic uniformity.

Can You Do Your Own Landscaping If You Live in an HOA?

This is a question many homeowners ask. The short answer is: it depends entirely on your association. Before you pick up a shovel, the most important thing you can do is read your community’s bylaws.

Often, you cannot perform any significant landscaping work without submitting a plan and receiving prior approval from your board. What you consider a minor change — like swapping a shrub by your front door — your HOA may view as a major alteration that requires a formal review. This disconnect can lead to frustration, fines, or even being forced to remove the new plantings at your own expense.

When in doubt, clear and open communication is your best strategy. A quick email or phone call to your property manager or a board member to explain what you’re planning can save you a world of trouble.

We Do Landscaping for HOAs

Navigating HOA landscaping guidelines doesn’t have to be a challenge. At Grasshoppers, we specialize in creating and maintaining beautiful landscapes that not only meet but exceed community standards. As an experienced HOA landscaping company, we partner with communities in two key ways:

• For HOA Boards and Property Managers: We offer comprehensive landscape management services for entire communities. From landscape design and setting HOA guidelines to periodic maintenance, we can help ensure a gorgeous and consistent appearance that enhances the value of your community.
• For Individual Homeowners: Living in an HOA but want to perfect your personal landscape? We work with you to design and install a beautiful garden that reflects your style while adhering perfectly to your HOA’s approved plant lists and design specifications. We take the guesswork out of the process, ensuring your project gets approved and looks fantastic.

Whether you’re managing an entire neighborhood or perfecting your own piece of paradise, our team is here to help.

Give Grasshoppers a call today to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate.