Poinciana (APV) Design Control Board: driveways, walks, patios and pavers
What the Poinciana DCB requires for driveways, walks and patios
From the Poinciana Villages Design Control Board Criteria (March 18, 2021): '9.1.1 Driveways and Walks. Concrete, asphalt, or brick pavers will be characteristic of the driveways required. Walks shall be of the same materials unless otherwise approved by the DCB. Any walkway adjacent to the residence dwelling must not exceed two (2) feet in width.' And: 'No building, fence, driveway, patio, drainage, paved area, wall or any other structure shall be commenced, erected, or maintained' without the DCB's prior written approval.
Rules we quote, with sections
| Topic | Criteria text (paraphrased where long) | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway materials | Concrete, asphalt or brick pavers | 9.1.1 |
| Walks | Same materials as the driveway unless the DCB approves otherwise; walks adjacent to the house no wider than 2 feet | 9.1.1 |
| Prior approval | No driveway, patio, drainage, paved area or wall may be commenced without prior written DCB approval; exterior alterations to existing property need approval | Article 6 |
| Deemed denial | If the DCB fails to approve an application within 30 days of submittal, the application is deemed disapproved | 6.1 |
| Application contents | A complete set of plans and specifications showing the proposed work; APV keeps a copy | 6.2 |
| Maintenance | Owners must keep driveways, walks, patios and paved surfaces clean and in repair (pressure washing etc.) | 9.2.2 |
| Duplex driveways | One driveway per unit, not exceeding the existing driveway width requirements of 9.1.1 | 6.5.2.5 |
| Sheds | On a concrete pad, no taller than 8 feet, color complementing the house; prohibited in Cypress Woods by covenant | Sheds section |
| Detached garages | Driveways to a detached garage must be compatible with the existing driveway/walkway | 7.4 |
| Violations | Applicant must rectify violations within a reasonable period after notice | 6.6.3 |
How we handle a Poinciana job
- Site visit; we photograph the existing driveway and measure its width, because the Criteria tie new work to the existing width requirement.
- DCB application with site plan, material, color and dimensions; you sign as owner. Like-for-like concrete replacements are routine but still required.
- Follow-up before day 30; silence is a denial under 6.1.
- County permit: Osceola driveway permit (§22-50.6) for Osceola villages, Polk rules for Polk villages; the finder shows which.
- Work; DCB copy of the permit number on request.
Solivita, inside Poinciana's boundaries but with its own association, uses its own ARC: Solivita. City page: Poinciana; permits: Unincorporated Osceola County, Polk County (unincorporated).
The thirty-day clock, and why it is the important clause
Most architectural provisions are about what you may build. The clause worth planning around in Poinciana is about time: under the published Design Control Board criteria, an application that has not been acted on within thirty days is deemed disapproved rather than approved. Silence is a denial.
That inverts the normal assumption. In many communities an applicant who hears nothing assumes tacit consent and proceeds; here that produces work without approval, which the association can require to be removed. So the process we follow is to submit a complete packet, obtain written confirmation of receipt, diary the thirtieth day, and follow up in good time before it. An incomplete application that sits waiting for a missing sample is the common way the clock runs out.
What the criteria say about surfaces
The criteria name concrete, asphalt and brick pavers as the driveway materials, and require walks to be of the same materials unless the board approves otherwise. Any walkway adjacent to the dwelling is limited to two feet in width without approval. Pavers are required to finish flush with the connecting driveway, walkway or roadway, which on a replacement means excavating deeper rather than building up. Prior written approval is required before any driveway, patio, drainage work or paved area is begun. And the owner is responsible for keeping driveways, walks and patios clean and maintained.
Read together, those provisions are more permissive on material than people expect and stricter on dimension and process than people expect. A paver driveway is straightforward to approve; a wider walk beside the house is not.
Questions we get about this
Can I use pavers on my driveway in Poinciana?
Brick pavers are an accepted driveway material under 9.1.1, with prior written DCB approval.
How wide can my front walk be?
A walkway adjacent to the house may not exceed 2 feet unless the DCB approves otherwise.
What if the DCB doesn't respond?
After 30 days the application is deemed disapproved; resubmit or follow up.
Do I need approval to replace my driveway with the same concrete?
Yes; the Criteria require prior written approval for any driveway work.
Where is the APV office?
401 Walnut Street, Poinciana, FL 34759, (863) 427-0900.
Get a written estimate for your project
Tell us the size, the surface you have now and where the lot is. We visit, measure, check access and drainage, and send a written proposal. No pressure calls.
What changed in this update: 2026-09-11 — first published