Have you ever opened your HOA bill and wondered exactly what you’re paying for? You are not alone. In Coconut Creek, who maintains what depends on your community type, local rules, and the documents that govern your neighborhood. In this guide, you’ll learn what HOAs typically handle, what usually falls on you, and how to confirm every detail before you budget or start a project. Let’s dive in.
How maintenance rules are set
Your responsibilities come from three places: state law, your community’s governing documents, and local city rules.
- Homeowners’ associations. Florida’s HOA law explains the association’s powers and record-keeping duties, but your community’s recorded documents decide the fine print. Review Chapter 720 of the Florida Statutes and your declaration for specifics. See Chapter 720.
- Condominium associations. Condos often place more exterior and structural maintenance on the association. The exact boundary of a “unit” is defined in the condo documents. See Chapter 718.
- Community Development Districts (CDDs). Some newer areas use a CDD to build and maintain roads, stormwater systems, and landscaping, funded by a separate assessment on your tax bill. Learn about CDDs.
Local overlay. Coconut Creek’s Code Compliance team enforces city rules on things like tree trimming, right-of-way work, and permits. HOA rules do not replace city codes. Visit Coconut Creek Code Compliance.
What HOAs in Coconut Creek usually maintain
Always check your association’s declaration or maintenance matrix, because communities vary.
Common areas and amenities
- Entry monuments, landscaped medians at private entrances, and community signage.
- Clubhouses, fitness rooms, playgrounds, pools, and pool equipment.
- Fencing and structures around shared amenities.
Shared infrastructure
- Private streets and sidewalks inside gated or private communities, including repairs, striping, and signs.
- Stormwater ponds, banks, and community lake edges when owned or controlled by the HOA. In some areas, a CDD or municipality maintains these instead.
Buildings and exteriors
- Condos. Exterior walls, roofs, structural components, and common building systems are typically association responsibilities under condo law. Review the condo statute.
- Single-family and townhomes. Some HOAs are “maintenance-included” and cover exterior painting, roofing, and lawn care for individual lots. Others limit their work to common areas. Your declaration controls the allocation.
Landscaping on association property
- Common-area lawns and plantings, plus irrigation systems serving those common spaces. Lines that serve only a private lot are often an owner task unless your HOA says otherwise.
Security and gates
- Gate operations, repairs, access systems, and any cameras or security contracted for common areas.
Association insurance
- HOAs insure common property and, depending on the documents, some exterior components. Check the association’s master policy and your governing documents to see what is covered.
What homeowners usually maintain
Exact duties depend on your documents and property type, but these items are often yours.
Inside the home
- Interior finishes and fixtures, appliances, HVAC units inside the home, cabinets, flooring, and personal property. In condos, unit boundaries in the declaration decide whether items like balconies or windows are yours or shared. See the condo maintenance framework.
Lot-level exteriors
- Private driveways and walkways that serve only your home.
- Mailboxes on private posts, garage doors, home-attached exterior light fixtures, and most private fencing unless your HOA maintains a perimeter system.
- Exterior paint and roof maintenance if your declaration assigns those to owners.
Swales, trees, and irrigation near the street
- In South Florida, owners commonly maintain the swale or parkway in front of their lot unless the HOA or a CDD has taken over that task. Coconut Creek enforces local tree and right-of-way rules. Check Code Compliance.
- If you have irrigation connected to the city system, backflow testing rules may apply. See Utilities and backflow info.
Tree permits and removals
- Removing or significantly pruning protected trees may require a permit or city review. Coconut Creek has a certified tree ordinance recognized by Broward County. Read the county note on tree rules.
Storm damage and insurance
- After hurricanes, who repairs what depends on your documents and the policies in place. Condos often cover structural and exterior damage at the association level, while owners handle interiors and contents. Single-family assignments vary, so confirm with your HOA and your personal policy.
How to confirm who maintains what
Use this quick process before you start work, file a claim, or budget for a repair.
- Get the governing documents. Request the recorded declaration, bylaws, rules, plats, and any easements. Florida’s HOA law gives owners rights to inspect official records like budgets and contracts. Know your records rights.
- Ask for the maintenance matrix. Many associations publish a simple “who does what” list and provide it in resale packets. If you do not see it, ask the manager or board for a written breakdown.
- Review insurance and reserves. Check the association’s master policy for coverage of roofs, exteriors, and windows. Review budgets and reserves to understand future assessments.
- Check for a CDD. Look at your tax bill and the recorded plat for CDD assessments. Coconut Creek has used CDDs in certain projects, such as Mainstreet at Coconut Creek. See a local CDD reference.
- Confirm permits with the city. Before trimming trees, altering swales, running irrigation in the right-of-way, or changing exteriors, contact Coconut Creek Code Compliance. Start with the city’s page.
If you disagree with the association
- Ask for citations. Request the exact section of the declaration or rules that says you must handle the repair. Ask for board resolutions or policies, if any.
- Document the issue. Take dated photos and keep written records of emails and letters.
- Use formal requests. Send a written request for repairs or records. Chapter 720 provides owner rights to official records and outlines association duties. Review Chapter 720.
- Seek help if needed. For complex disputes or unclear language, consider consulting a Florida community-association attorney.
Who to call: city, HOA, or CDD
- Call the city. Public right-of-way issues, permits, swale grading, and tree rules are city matters. Start with Code Compliance.
- Contact your HOA. Community amenities, private gates, common-area landscaping, and association-owned lighting or roads.
- Contact the CDD. If your development has a CDD, it may handle private roads, stormwater systems, or entrance landscaping within the district boundaries.
Ready for local guidance tailored to your home and neighborhood goals in Coconut Creek? Reach out to Beverly Shanahan for clear answers and next steps.
FAQs
Who pays for roof repairs in Coconut Creek HOAs?
- It depends on your property type and documents; condos often place roof and structural duties on the association, while single-family HOAs may assign roofs to owners unless stated otherwise in the declaration.
What is a CDD assessment on my tax bill in Coconut Creek?
- A Community Development District is a special unit that can finance and maintain infrastructure, and its assessments are separate from HOA dues and property taxes.
Who maintains the swale and street trees by my home?
- In many Coconut Creek neighborhoods, the adjacent owner maintains the swale unless the HOA or a CDD took on that task; confirm with your HOA and the city’s Code Compliance team.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Coconut Creek?
- Protected tree removals and major pruning often require city approval; check Coconut Creek’s rules before hiring a contractor or starting work.
How do I verify if the HOA must fix a common-area issue?
- Request the governing document citation and review the association’s official records, including budgets, insurance, and any maintenance matrix or policy notes.
