Florida’s increasing urbanization, coastal development, and population growth continue to tax water resources. Homeowners’ association (HOA) covenants governing landscape design and maintenance can have a significant, adverse impact on the environment, but by encouraging the transformation of conventional landscapes to Florida-Friendly landscapes, HOAs and homeowners can conserve water, protect the environment, and allow a wide range of aesthetic choices. This 10-page fact sheet answers questions HOAs and homeowners may have about the implications of Florida Statute § 373.185 for HOA review boards. It also addresses the aesthetics of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and provides a list of resources for further information. It was written by Kathy Malone, Esen Momol, Jane Tolbert, Marina D’Abreau, Terril Nell, Gail Hansen, Gary Knox, Michael Thomas, Kristine Jones, and Jim Spratt, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep440