The Official Website of the Sorrento East Property Owners Association

Lawns and Landscaping

Watering Schedule

Under Sarasota County Watering restrictions, properties with even-numbered addresses may be watered only on Tuesdays, properties with odd-numbered addresses may be watered only on Thursdays. Watering should be kept to no more than three-quarters of an inch, and should be done either before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Make certain that your timers are adjusted correctly every time we begin and end daylight time.

Local enforcement agencies will issue a citation instead of a warning if a watering violation is witnessed.  Immediate fine, $100.00. Citations up to $500.00 are now being issued with no warning notice if any violation of these restrictions is observed by county personnel.

Flower beds, vegetable gardens, and other non-lawn areas may be irrigated as needed using a hand-watering device with a shut-off nozzle, micro irrigation, and other forms of horticulture appropriate, low volume irrigation, on any day of the week, but only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Newly planted lawn and landscape areas may be watered on any day of the week for a 60-day establishment period that begins the day that the plant material is installed, but only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Note: overwatering can weaken root systems and encourage fungus. Lawn professionals recommend turning off your irrigation system during the rainy season and during cold weather when grass is not growing rapidly. That will force the roots to grow deeper so that the lawns will do better when it is hot and dry.

Note: After a homeowner's lawn has been professionally treated for pest control or fertilization, it is often necessary to water the lawn in order for the chemicals to be effective. In that case a sign provided by the lawn treatment company will be prominently displayed on the lawn. Please do not report those displaying such a sign who are watering off schedule.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping

The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program sponsored by the University of Florida can help you transform your yard into a beautiful oasis that will not only conserve precious water resources and reduce pollution, but will also help you save time, energy and money through Florida-friendly landscaping. It's simply a matter of putting the right plant in the right place.  The website contains useful booklets and other materials you may download.

Yard Waste

See our website's Waste Collection page for regulations and pickup schedule. Note that oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits are considered garbage and should not be put in your yard waste.

Pets and Wildlife

Pets

The following is excerpted from the county ordinance concerning dogs and cats running at large.

Note that it is no longer allowable to have a pet under only voice control. Fines can run from $50 for an unlicensed animal, first offence, up to several hundred dollars. The complete ordinance can be found at the Sarasota County Sheriff's website.

SEPOA Deed Restrictions require that pet owners walking their pets in public areas pick up after them.

Wildlife

Sorrento East is a Bird Sanctuary. Among the permanent residents we find sandhill cranes, great blue herons, great egrets, snowy egrets, white ibis, wood storks, gallinules, red-shouldered hawks, black vultures, and whistling ducks. Raccoons and opossum are common, and alligators are often seen in our lakes.

It is illegal to harass or harm the wildlife. Feeding large birds is discouraged by most wildlife experts and by the Board. It makes the birds more dependent on human support and can lead to poor relationships with your neighbors. Remember that sandhill cranes, though beautiful and stately, have very sharp beaks that can inflict severe damage to children and pets.

Feeding alligators is illegal and very dangerous. An alligator that loses its fear of humans and associates people with food is a serious danger to humans and pets.