Covenant Enforcement
Archived Blog Posts
- Lawn Irrigation and Fertilizer
As the hot temperatures and lack of rain may have our lawns and plants in dire need of water, please remember we do have an ordinance that addresses these concerns:
Reminder: Watering TWO days per week only is allowed with the change to Daylight Savings Time
on Sunday, March 10, 2019 through Sunday, November 3, 2019.
Ordinances
The irrigation ordinances (2008-030) and 2009-360 enact landscape irrigation conservation measures or requirements that are based upon the St. Johns River Water Management District’s model ordinance. The landscape irrigation requirements provide for:
►No watering from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
►Odd number addresses, or addresses ending with letters N-Z, or no address may water only on Wed and Sat
►Even number addresses or those ending with A-M may water only on Thurs and Sun
►Non-residential addresses may water only on Tues and Friday
►Apply up to 3/4-inch or less of water each cycle
Exceptions under certain circumstances are allowed (such as using a hand-held irrigation tool, micro-irrigation systems, maintenance and repair or watering to establish new landscaping). The irrigation conservation requirements may be enforced by the Environmental and Compliance Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office or any state law enforcement officer.
To assist in meeting the nutrient total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements for the St. Johns River as set forth for the City of Jacksonville by the Clean Water Act, the Fertilizer ordinances (2008-028) and 2009-360 address fertilizer application and retail storage requirements for retail garden centers, commercial fertilizer applicators and homeowners.
Excessive levels of nutrients result in harmful algal blooms that, in turn, directly impact the health, use and enjoyment of the river and its tributaries. Fertilizers are one source of the nutrients discharged into surface water bodies, so the legislation will help to prevent excess nutrients from reaching waterways and stormwater systems, helping the city to achieve its TMDL allocation in a more cost-effective manner.
Retail facilities that sell fertilizer will be encouraged to have their staff trained in best management practices (BMPs) to assist in educating consumers. In addition, the retail facilities will be required to manage the storage of fertilizer in accordance with appropriate BMPs.
Commercial fertilizer applicators will also undergo training in BMPs covering topics such as environmental issues and protections, plant selection and care, irrigation, fertilization, safety and spill cleanup techniques. Residents will be required to phase in at least a six-foot zone of landscaping or ground cover on their property adjacent to water bodies that does not require intensive fertilizer, watering or mowing.
Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, a University of Florida Extension program, partners with national, state and local agencies to teach Florida-friendly landscaping. The program provides educational outreach opportunities to homeowners, landscaping professionals, builders and developers on low maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices to enhance landscapes while saving money, time and energy. To learn more or register visit http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/ or call (904) 387-8850.
The implementation of fertilizer and irrigation regulations and best practices is just one part of a comprehensive approach to improving the health of the St. Johns. Work is underway to remove failing septic tanks in Duval County. The Jacksonville Stormwater Utility is a dedicated funding source for reducing the amount of rainwater that flows into the river after storms. Efforts to minimize sedimentation, more efficiently treat wastewater and increase public access to the river are also in progress.
Fri, July 19, 2019
- Driveway – Is it in need of a good cleaning?
Most homes in Deercreek are approaching a quarter century in age. We pay close attention to our roofs, landscaping, stucco and paint, but we should also be concerned about the appearance of our driveways. A driveway that needs repair or has significant dirt and mildew can have a negative impact on the general curb appeal of not only your home, but all of Deercreek.
Your HOA Board has asked the Property Manager to pay attention during his inspections to driveways that need maintenance. Please view any notifications you receive as an opportunity to improve the look, not only your home, but the entire community. Thank you!
Mon, January 28, 2019
- Deercreek Moving Violations Enforcement
In order to eliminate potential confrontations, Deercreek Security Officers will no longer attempt to stop vehicles for speeding violations or stop sign violations.
Our Security will continue to monitor speeding and stop sign violations.
The Security Officers will identify the license on the vehicle, and the citation will be mailed to the resident with the details of the violation.
Residents will be responsible for all citations written for a vehicle registered to their residence.
Each Security Officer is trained and qualified in the use of radar. Our radar is calibrated every six months to ensure it accurately records vehicle speeds. In addition, the radar is checked for accuracy between 35 mph and 55 mph before each use.
If you feel you have received a citation in error, or if you feel the violation was not justified, you should schedule a hearing with the Covenant Enforcement Committee (CEC). The CEC will either sustain or waive the fine. Their decision is final. This committee meets the third Thursday of each month at the Club and you are allowed ninety (90) days to schedule a hearing.
November 30, 2018
Fri, November 30, 2018
- Equipment Storage
All lawn, maintenance, construction and home maintenance equipment must be stored out of view from the street, the golf course or neighboring lots. This equipment includes, but is not limited to, lawnmowers, lawn tractors, lawn edgers, fertilizer spreaders, ladders, tree trimmers, shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows. Any of this equipment not properly stored will be considered to be in violation of this policy and will be subject to a fine of $25 per violation. Residents will be sent a letter indicating they are in violation of this policy and will have seven calendar days to conceal the equipment.
Sun, September 30, 2018
- Covenant Enforcement Fining Structure Changed May 2018
At the March, 2017 the Board approved a change to the fining structure as part of Rule #26 in the Rules and Regulations document increasing the dollar amount of the initial fine up to $250 and an additional fine of up to $750 for failure to comply with a covenant. This fining structure complicates things as it relates to appeals etc. Florida 720.305 governing HOA’s has language that a fine may not exceed $100 per violation unless otherwise provided in the governing documents. A fine may be levied by the board for each day of a continuing violation with a single notice and opportunity for hearing, except that the fine may not exceed $1000 in the aggregate unless otherwise provided in the governing documents.
At the April 2018 Board meeting the Board approved the motion to change #26 to align with the Florida statute, the CEC Charter and rule #17 in the Rules and Regulation. Rule #26 is changed as follows:
Citations and Fines: A fine of up to $100 per day until violation is corrected, to a maximum of $1000, may be levied by the Board against any Member (or any Member’s tenant, guest, or invitee) for failure to comply with any provision of the Declaration, the Association By-Laws, or Rules and Regulations of the DCCOA. In the event the Association finds it necessary to engage legal counsel to recover a fine, such legal cost shall be at Owner’s expense and assessed to Owner’s account.
Mon, May 7, 2018
- Covenant Related Property Inspections in Full Swing
Is your roof mildewed and needs to be cleaned? Does your house and trim need a fresh coat of paint? Are there any dead bushes or weeds in your bed and lawn, or brown spots that are in need a few pieces of new sod? Does your driveway or sidewalk need to be pressure washed? Is your sidewalk uneven and a safety hazard to walkers and bikers and baby strollers?
If you can see it so can Marsh Landing Property Management Company! Now is the time to take a close look at your home and start the improvements to ensure your home is up to the DCCOA covenant and rules and regulations standards. They have started patrolling the community and are taking note of any home that needs attention – in the front and back, including homes on the golf course. Don’t wait to get that dreaded letter – take action now!
The Guards have started patrolling the neighborhood for early and late trash and yard trash violations Remember that yard trash cannot be put to the curb before 2:00 pm Tuesday and the can must be removed and kept out of sight by 11:00 pm on Wednesday. Regular garbage cans/recycle cannot be put to the curb before 6:00 pm Thursday night and both must be put away no later than 11:00 pm Friday. Each violation is a $25 fine.
Let’s keep our neighbors happy and the community looking beautiful by maintaining our homes!
Sun, May 6, 2018
- New Rules About Garage Parking
Parking: Garages are expected to be used for the housing of vehicles in order to minimize the number of vehicles parked on the driveway.
Accordingly, the Board has adopted the requirement that Members, or their tenants, must garage park: not less than 1-vehicle if the house has a 2-car garage; not less than 2-vehicles if the house has a 3-car garage; and, not less than 3-vehicles if the house has a 4-car garage.
Golf carts shall be considered a vehicle for purposes herein and, oversized vehicles that cannot be parked in the garage shall be exempt from the Rule.
Parking of vehicles on a grassed area is prohibited.
Daytime street parking is permitted provided such parking does not to block the flow of traffic.
Overnight street parking (a car parked on the street after 2:00 AM) is prohibited. Parking violations will be subject to a $25.00 fine per occurrence unless the Member violation is waived by the Covenant Enforcement Committee.
A Member who violates the garage parking rule will be first provided a 30-day notice to correct the parking violation before a parking citation is issued.
Oversized vehicles that cannot be parked in a garage will be exempt from the garage parking rule.
Tue, May 23, 2017
- Parking Rules & Regulations
Garages are expected to be used for the housing of vehicles so as to minimize the number of vehicles parked on the driveway. Long-term parking of vehicles on the roads or on driveways is prohibited. Temporary parking is permitted along roads in such a manner as not to block traffic. Parking on a grassed area is prohibited. Overnight parking on the street is prohibited and will result in a $25 parking ticket.
Thu, March 16, 2017
- Recycle, Refuse & Garbage storage
Garbage, landscape clippings & yard debris: All garbage, trash and recycle must be kept in clean containers stored in a service court or other enclosure approved by the ARB. Collection of yard waste, trash and recycle will be accomplished by authorized agencies in accordance with their schedules and requirements. All trash and recycle containers should be kept out of view from the road and golf course until 6 PM the day before collection, when it may be placed at the curb. Trash and yard waste must be kept off the roadway. The penalty for violation is $25.00.
Yard and trash citation appeals should be referred to the Covenants Enforcement Committee. Landscape clippings should be bagged where feasible and stacked along with unbagged landscape trimmings by the curb for collection. Where possible, lawn contractors should be asked to remove grass clippings and landscape refuse promptly after their services are performed. Dumping of refuse anywhere within the Deercreek Country Club community, including all lakes and swamps, is strictly prohibited.
Fri, February 24, 2017