Chapter 6
Enforcement of Regulations
On this page, there are three key elements:
- Summary
- Full text for this section of the Neighborhood Plan
- Short survey
Summary:
The Island aims to balance safety and protecting the environment with maintaining a relaxed, low-regulation feel. The main concern is not the lack of rules, it’s inconsistent enforcement.
Enforcement presence
There are ongoing concerns about speeding, underage golf cart driving, unleashed dogs, fireworks, and open fires, but there is limited law enforcement presence to address these issues. At the same time, many residents do not want excessive enforcement. Recommendations:
- Work with the Sheriff’s Office to schedule targeted enforcement during key times, including Marine Patrol.
- Consider a Neighborhood Watch program to support law enforcement.
Awareness of rules
Many residents and visitors are not aware of existing rules, including differences between golf carts and street-legal vehicles, which leads to unintentional violations. Recommendations:
- Create a simple webpage that clearly explains common rules and regulations.
- Include contact information and links to official regulations.
- Share this information across community and rental-related websites.
- Look for alternatives to signage to educate people without adding clutter.
Reporting concerns
Reporting code violations can feel uncomfortable because complaints typically require identification, which discourages some residents from speaking up. Recommendations:
- Create a “good neighbor” letter residents can use to address issues directly in a non-confrontational way before involving authorities.
Full Version:
We encourage everyone to read the full version. While we did our best to summarize above, this full version offers much more nuance.
The Neighborhood Plan speaks to living “gently” with the Island, protecting its biodiversity, conserving its non-renewable resources and maintaining its ecological stability. Islanders wish to maintain a balance between development and environmental preservation, and between regulatory control and the rights and privileges of individuals. Existing ordinances, codes, regulations and laws have already been established to sustain the balance we seek.
Issues related to the Enforcement of Regulations
Most general issues can be addressed through a variety of existing regulations. The primary concern is that there is not enough authoritative presence to enforce these regulations. However, there are some Islanders who value the lack of enforcement of rules and regulations that might be necessary in more densely populated areas. These property owners object to increased enforcement on the Island.
- Issues of Concern
1. Speeding vehicles on the roads and waterways
2. Under-aged golf cart driving
3. Unleashed dogs island-wide, including on the beach
4. Use of fireworks
5. Open fires on the beachGenerally, while a property owner may be able to anonymously report a violation when contacting law enforcement, code violation complaints must be filed with an identified complainant, unless it’s a health and safety issue.
- Lack of Presence
The Island community has had many opportunities to express their concerns regarding the enforcement of regulations on the Island. As a result of various town hall meetings, it was determined that the Island does not need full-time law enforcement, but we do need deputy presence during specific times and hours. - Lack of Awareness
Many Island visitors and property owners are unaware of existing rules and regulations. For example, there are different rules and regulations that apply to different types of vehicles. Some vehicles that Islanders may refer to as “golf carts” are actually LSVs (Low Speed Vehicles or “street-legal golf carts”) with specific, more stringent rules and regulations that apply to them.
Recommendations for the Enforcement of Regulations
- Coordinate with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department to develop a recommended schedule of enforcement coverage, including improved coverage for Marine Patrol. This will ensure a presence that will serve the greatest good while ensuring that the deputy’s time is used most efficiently.
- As the majority of Islanders have stated their preference for minimal signage, explore alternatives to signage to improve awareness of existing regulations.
- Disseminate information through a webpage devoted to listing a series of common neighborhood issues and the regulations that apply to them. This table of regulations could be posted on the website developed as a comprehensive information resource for Island guests and rentals. [See Chapter 1.7 Land Use: Short-term Rentals and Guest Accommodations] as well as other websites hosted by homeowners’ associations. Include contact information on the webpage for complaints and links to access the appropriate state statutes or municipal codes that may apply.
- To address the concern about the lack of anonymity when reporting code violations, pursue the creation of a “good neighbor” letter, intended for use as an educational tool. This letter can be used to bring a complaint to a neighbor’s attention in a non-confrontational way. If the letter presumes that the recipient is unaware of their offense, it can potentially eliminate the need to contact the authorities. This letter could be included as a download form from the above-mentioned webpage in conjunction with the table of issues and regulations.
- Assess the idea of pursuing an Island “Neighborhood Watch” program to support local law enforcement on the Island.
Survey
Each head of household (up to two per household) may submit the form once. If you submit it more than once, only your most recent submission will count. This also means you can update your response later if you change your mind.
