My home owners association (HOA) requires that all lawns be kept lush and green or residents will be fined. If I comply with the water shortage order and my lawn turns brown or dies, can the HOA issue
Chapter 373.185(3)(b), Florida Statutes addresses this. The following excerpt (see italics) should be helpful in working with your HOA, which may not be aware of the law.
(a) The Legislature finds that the use of Florida-friendly landscaping and other water use and pollution prevention measures to conserve or protect the state’s water resources serves a compelling public interest and that the participation of homeowners’ associations and local governments is essential to the state’s efforts in water conservation and water quality protection and restoration.
(b) A deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land or create any requirement or limitation in conflict with any provision of part II of this chapter or a water shortage order, other order, consumptive use permit, or rule adopted or issued pursuant to part II of this chapter.

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1. Why was the water shortage order lifted in some counties but not others?
2. We’ve received a lot of rain lately. Do we still need restrictions?
3. My water comes from my private well. Do the water restrictions apply to me?
4. If our groundwater is going to Jacksonville, why do I have to follow restrictions when people living there do not?
5. How can I tell which water management district I live in?
6. I see farmers watering fields at all hours, for long periods of time. Don’t they have restrictions?
7. Who enforces the restrictions?
8. How do I report a violation?
9. My home owners association (HOA) requires that all lawns be kept lush and green or residents will be fined. If I comply with the water shortage order and my lawn turns brown or dies, can the HOA issue