MAY 2026 CHANGES TO COMMUNITY-WIDE LANDSCAPE STANDARDS
At the May HOA board meeting changes to the Community Wide Landscape Standards were approved. This article will highlight some of those changes.
YARD WASTE, RECYCLING AND GARBAGE
• Yard waste, recycling and garbage may be placed at the curb up to 24 hours before scheduled pickup. Empty cans and bins may remain at the curb for up to 24 hours after the scheduled pickup.
• Homeowners shall not place garbage and trash in plastic bags at curb side until the morning of pick-up to avoid attracting animals.
EXPLANATION: This change was made to come into compliance with a recently enacted state law. Putting trash at the curb more than one day earlier is now a violation of state law. Placing items at the curb with “free at curb” posted is a violation if it is more than 24 hours before the scheduled Tuesday trash pickup. Please be courteous to your neighbors and help keep Herons Glen beautiful by keeping trash stored until it is within the time allowed.
LANDSCAPE BEDS AND WALKWAYS
• Homeowners shall keep all landscaping beds including perimeter landscape beds fully planted with landscaping planted in the ground spaced 4 feet apart, measured from the center of the next. Plants must be at least 15” tall.
• Perimeter planting areas include all sides of the home, including sides and rear of the lanai, pools, enclosures, and outside perimeter of an open patio. If a perimeter landscape bed between the front walkway to the home and the exterior wall is two feet wide or less, the homeowner may apply for approval to eliminate the bed with the following conditions:
○ Owner will need approval from the ARC to widen the walkway to the wall using the same materials as the walkway and the approval of the Grounds Committee to eliminate the landscape bed.
○ A landscape plan must be included with the Grounds Request Form showing location and type of landscaping to be installed along the outside of the walkway to screen view of the open section of the wall.
EXPLANATION: The requirement to have the perimeter of the home covered with plants is not new but the wording has been modified for clarification. A new change allows homes that have a narrow (2 feet wide or less) bed between the walkway and the side of the house or garage to be paved over. It should be paved over with the same surface as the existing walkway. And plants will be needed on the outside of the walkway to help screen the view of the open section of the wall.
Annual plants and potted plants: Seasonal (annual) plants in landscape beds are allowed with the following limitations:
○ Seasonal plants alone are not acceptable but can be in addition to shrubs.
○ Seasonal flowers can be used to enhance a landscape bed but are not to be used in place of shrubs to meet the requirements of a standard landscape bed.
○ Up to 6 potted plants placed in landscape beds are permitted except they will not be acceptable to fill empty spaces that do not meet the fully landscaped requirements.
EXPLANATION: Having perennial plants in your landscape beds ensures that you have plants that last and keep your yard beautiful year-round. Accenting those beds with annual flowers is acceptable.
Landscape Lighting – permitted as follows:
○ Ambient and solar lighting used to highlight landscaping, or any area must be clear or white light only.
○ Colored lighting is only permitted as part of the seasonal holiday displays, such as Christmas or Fall/Halloween.
EXPLANATION: Colored lighting is allowed during holidays but accent lighting for trees, shrubbery, or houses must be clear or white the rest of the year.
Decorations
○ Halloween decorations may be displayed from October 1 until November 7.
○ Fall Decorations may be displayed from October 1 until November 30.
○ Christmas or other Holiday decorations will be permitted starting the Monday before Thanksgiving and must be removed by January 10.
○ For all other Holiday times, decorations are permitted, but only for a period not to exceed 7 days during the time of the Holiday.
EXPLANATION: This clarifies the dates allowed for Halloween and Fall decorations. As always, if you have questions regarding changes you are considering to your landscaping, contact the HOA office or a member of the Grounds Committee. We are here to help.
