Maintain Community Standards

The Community Development Districts (VCDDs) include standards which residents agree to follow as written in the VCDDs External Deed Restrictions. These standards are designed to maintain the appearance, safety, and harmony of the VCDD.  

1. Agreed Upon Rules: The deed restrictions within the individual VCDDs are designed to apply regardless of personal beliefs. Allowing one individual to acknowledge they agreed to abide by the restrictions, understand the restrictions, but then willfully disregard those same restrictions based on their individual desires, could set a precedent. Others would then feel rightly entitled to disregard any requirement we have in The Villages for any personal reason, leading to a breakdown of community standards, harmony and property values. The VCDDs could then be liable by other residents for not enforcing the standards.
2. Lawn Ornaments: The rule against yard displays serves a broader purpose, which is maintaining a uniform appearance and preventing neighborhood disputes. The rule does not specifically target or restrict anyone's expression in a discriminatory way. We are all equally subject to the rules that we agreed to when we moved to this community.
3. Avenues for Expression: Anyone can and most do express themselves in other ways that do not conflict with the VCDD 8's rules. For instance, one can display symbols inside their homes or participate in activities of their choosing without restriction. The rule does not inhibit freedom to practice any personal belief but only regulates external displays, regardless of what that display represents, for the benefit of the entire community.