Villages of Lake Lucie Homeowners' Association (HOA) FAQ

The ARC goes out twice a year, usually April and October, for property inspections to ensure residents are complying with HOA property maintenance requirements. The ARC will then allow a two-week notice so that people have time to clean up their properties. Once a notice is received, the resident will have 30 days to resolve the problem. If it is not done by then, a second notice will be issued, allowing an additional 15 more days. If the problem remains unresolved after this time, the resident will then be fined $100 per month until it is completed.

Cabana hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Pool hours: dawn to dusk.

If you are working on your driveway or have extra guests staying overnight, it is necessary to notify the Board of Directors of your need to park overnight at the cabana and how long you need to park there. Provided this is not a recurring issue, there should be no problem with temporarily parking overnight at the cabana.

Send a notification to the ARC for written approval to include details such as color, design, etc. (with sample colors). Once reviewed, two or three members of the ARC will sign approval and give you a copy for your records to prove it was approved. You may complete the "Contact" form on this website for any further information needed.

Trees that are on your property or hanging over your property line are okay to trim back within reason, but any major cut back of the oak trees that line the streets or major landscape changes would need to be reviewed by the ARC.

Yes. You are responsible for keeping your mailbox, sidewalks, walkway, driveway, house and roof clean without rust, mold or mildew.

Yes. You may paint your cable box Hunter Green if you want to.

We don't recommend painting sidewalks or driveways due to it being an ongoing project with eventual cracking and peeling from the sun. However, you may paint your sidewalks using Hint of Gray if you obtain approval from the ARC prior to painting.

Background checks must be completed for any person who plans to reside in the community for more than six months. Background checks have a $200 application fee, and a $150 specific background check fee per household member.

If you own a lot in The Villages of Lake Lucie that is subject to the covenants, you are automatically a member of the Association. Membership comes with owning a lot, cannot be opted out of while you own the property, and transfers automatically to the new owner when you sell. Mortgage lenders are not members just because they hold a mortgage.

Each lot in the community has one vote in Association matters, no matter how many people own that lot. If multiple people own the same lot, they share that one vote and must decide among themselves how to use it.

The regular annual meeting of the members is held on the first Monday in December each year, unless changed in accordance with the Bylaws. Written notice is mailed at least 15 days in advance to the address the Association has on file.

A quorum is the minimum number of votes that must be represented at a meeting for any official business to be conducted. For the Villages of Lake Lucie Association, a quorum is reached when members (in person or by proxy) represent at least 20% (1/5) of all votes in the community. If there is no quorum, the meeting may be adjourned and rescheduled.

Yes. If you cannot attend a members' meeting, you may authorize someone else to vote for you using a written proxy. Proxies must be in writing, filed with the Secretary, revocable at any time, and automatically end when you sell your lot.

The Association is managed by a Board of Directors made up of seven (7) directors. Each director must be a member of the Association, serves a two-year term with staggered terms, and is a volunteer (not paid) but may be reimbursed for actual expenses.

Nominations: A Nominating Committee (appointed by the Board) prepares a list of candidates. Additional nominations may also be made from the floor at the annual meeting.

Elections: Held at the annual members' meeting, conducted by secret written ballot. Each member may vote for as many candidates as there are open seats. The candidates with the highest number of votes are elected.

Yes. Any director can be removed, with or without cause, by a majority of the total votes in the Association. If a director is removed or a vacancy occurs, members may fill the vacancy at a meeting, or the remaining Board members may appoint someone to serve for the rest of the term.

Yes. Regular Board meetings are held monthly. Notice is posted in a visible place in the community at least 48 hours in advance (except in emergencies). All Board meetings where a quorum is present are open to all members, except for certain meetings with the Association's attorney.

• Adopting and enforcing rules and regulations
• Setting and collecting assessments (dues)
• Taking legal action to collect unpaid assessments, including liens and, if necessary, foreclosure
• Managing and maintaining common areas and facilities
• Obtaining insurance for Association property and liability
• Hiring managers, contractors, and employees to perform Association work

If a member fails to pay assessments, the Board may suspend that member's voting rights and use of common areas if the account is more than 90 days past due. The Board may also file a lien and may foreclose on the property or sue the owner personally if assessments are not paid. Assessments fund the maintenance and operation of the community, so timely payment is important.

• President - Leads meetings, carries out Board decisions, signs official documents, and co-signs checks.
• Vice President - Acts in place of the President when needed and performs duties assigned by the Board.
• Secretary - Keeps minutes of meetings, maintains Association records and member addresses, and handles official notices and correspondence.
• Treasurer - Manages Association funds, keeps financial records, signs checks, prepares budgets and financial reports.

One person may serve as both Secretary and Treasurer, but other offices are generally held separately.

• Architectural Control Committee - Reviews and approves exterior changes to homes.
• Nominating Committee - Helps identify and nominate candidates for the Board.
• Pool Committee - Oversees the operation and maintenance of the cabana and pool.
• Social Committee - Organizes social activities for the community.

The Board may create other committees as needed.

Yes. The books, records, and papers of the Association are available for member inspection during reasonable business hours. Copies of the Declaration, Articles of Incorporation, and Bylaws may be obtained, and a reasonable copy charge may apply.

Yes. Both the Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation may be amended, but changes require strong owner approval:

• Bylaws - May be amended only by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the total votes of all members.
• Articles of Incorporation - May be amended by the members following the procedures in the Bylaws, also requiring two-thirds (2/3) of the total votes.

If the Association is ever dissolved, its assets, including the surface water management system and common areas, must be transferred to an appropriate local government agency. If no government agency will accept them, they must be dedicated to a similar non-profit corporation.

• Request copies from the Association or its management (a small copy charge may apply)
• Obtain them from the public records of St. Lucie County, Florida, where they are recorded

This FAQ is a simplified summary for convenience only and does not replace the official documents or legal advice. For specific legal questions, you may wish to consult an attorney familiar with Florida homeowners' association law. For practical questions (meetings, payments, architectural requests, etc.), please use the contact link on this website.