Bloomingdale & Valrico HOAs: How to Pass ARC Tree Reviews on the First Try

Oliver Owens
5 days ago
5 min read

If you live in Bloomingdale or Valrico, you already know: your HOA isn’t anti-tree—they’re anti-risk and anti-mess. ARC boards want to see that your trees will be safe, tidy, and pruned to a real standard (ANSI A300). The fastest way to “approved” is simple: send clear photos, list measurable clearances, and include a one-page scope in the language reviewers recognize.

Want the one-and-done route? Book Certified Arborist Services to assemble your submission packet, then schedule Tree Trimming & Pruning to complete the work exactly as approved—with matching after-photos for your HOA file.

What ARC reviewers actually look for (in plain English)

Photos that point to the issue (not just wide shots).
Measurable targets they can verify on re-inspection (e.g., “6–10 ft roof clearance,” “24 inches off stucco,” “7–8 ft sidewalk headroom”).
Standards language: “All work to ANSI A300—no topping.”
Assurance of cleanup & access: cones, turf protection, chip/haul, gates re-secured.
Credentials: ISA Certified Arborist oversight; insurance on request.

Hit those every time, approvals move quickly.

The 5-photo set that gets to “yes”

Attach these with simple arrows/labels:

Front elevation (wide) — shows house context and roof edges.
Roof conflict — branches crossing a valley or touching gutters.
Wall/siding contact — show the current 0″ gap; we’ll restore to 18–24″.
Walkway or driveway headroom — include a person/tape for scale.
Mechanical access — blocked electrical panel or A/C condenser.

Pro tip: Name files like 1-Front_Before.jpg, 2-RoofWest_Before.jpg. We’ll return after photos with the same names + “After.”

Clearance targets that pass re-inspection (and keep trees healthy)

These aren’t laws—just field-tested numbers that ARC inspectors and insurers understand:

Over the roof: 6–10 ft of vertical space above shingles; remove any tips that rub gutters or valleys.
Walls & stucco: 18–24 in air gap so walls dry and pests can’t bridge.
Walkways: 7–8 ft headroom for comfort & access.
Driveways: 13 ft where possible (service vehicles).
Service areas: 3′ × 3′ clear box in front of the electrical panel and A/C condenser.
Pool cages: no contact with screens—even in a breeze.
Palms: remove brown fronds and fruit/flower stalks only; keep green fronds at/above the 9–3 clock rule (no hurricane cuts).

We mark these on your photos before work, then match them after for easy approval.

Copy-paste scope ARC boards love (one page)

Owner/Address: Name, street, lot # (Bloomingdale/Valrico)

Contractor: All Your Way Tree Service — ISA Certified Arborist oversight; insured.

Scope (ANSI A300 – no topping):

Live oak – west roof: Reduce end-weight 8–10 ft over roof using reduction cuts to suitable laterals; remove dead/rubbing branches ≥1″; maintain natural crown.
Queen palms – pool cage: Remove brown fronds and fruit/flower stalks; maintain crown at/above 9–3; no hurricane cut.
Hedge – rear wall: Trim to restore 24″ air gap off stucco; maintain 7–8 ft headroom over sidewalk.
Service clearances: Maintain 3′ × 3′ working space at electrical panel and A/C condenser.
Access/Cleanup: Bucket/chipper in driveway; turf protection as needed; chip/haul all debris; blow off hard surfaces; re-secure gates.
Photos: Labeled before photos attached (5).
After photos provided within 48 hours of completion.
Schedule: Work within 14 days of approval.

Drop that into your ARC form; attach the photos. Done.

Why the “ANSI A300” line matters (and what it means on site)

“All work to ANSI A300” tells reviewers they’re getting reduction cuts (to real laterals), crown cleaning (dead/rubbing removal), and selective interior thinning (not lion-tailing). Translation: safer structure, less weak regrowth, longer intervals between trims.

On our jobs, crews:

Cut outside the branch collar (no flush cuts).
Favor strong laterals for reductions (no stubs, no topping).
Avoid lion-tailing that shoves weight to the tips.
Sanitize tools when species warrant; no spikes on live palms unless removing.
Keep crowns natural, slightly irregular—a “flat haircut” is a topping red flag.

Palm rules (the ARC hot button)

Two extremes get rejected: messy palms raining fruit vs. shaved “pineapples.” Your pass-every-time middle path:

Remove brown fronds + fruit/flower stalks.
Keep green fronds at/above 9–3.
If fronds are yellowing but not brown, that’s often nutrition, not something to cut.
Maintain no-touch clearance from pool cage screens.

We put those promises in your scope and show them in the after-photos.

Common reasons submissions get bounced (and our fixes)

No measurements. Fix: add target numbers (roof, wall, walkway, service).
No standards. Fix: include “Work to ANSI A300—no topping.”
Vague photos. Fix: arrows + labels on conflicts.
Hurricane-cut palms. Fix: rewrite to brown-only + 9–3 rule.
No cleanup/access plan. Fix: one sentence covers cones, turf protection, chip/haul, gates.

For Bloomingdale & Valrico specifically (local realities)

Cul-de-sacs & narrow drives: Note in your scope where equipment will stage (e.g., driveway only) and that turf protection is used.
ARC cadence: Many neighborhoods batch approvals; clean packets with measurements get moved forward.
Insurance notices: If your HOA letter overlaps with an insurance “encroaching vegetation” notice, use the same clearance targets—your ARC after-photos double as re-inspection proof.

Your submittal email (copy/paste)

Subject: ARC Submission — ANSI A300 Tree Pruning at Address Hello ARC, Attached are labeled before photos and a one-page scope for tree pruning at address. Work will be performed to ANSI A300 with the following targets: 6–10′ roof clearance, 18–24″ wall clearance, 7–8′ walkway headroom, 3′ × 3′ service access, and palm care per 9–3 rule (brown fronds + fruit/flower removal only).After completion, we’ll provide matching after photos for your file. Thank you for your review, Name

What we deliver after approval (so re-inspections fly)

ANSI-A300 pruning to the exact approved scope.
Before/after photo set (same angles, same filenames + “After”).
Completion note mirroring ARC wording (perfect for HOA and insurance files).
Invoice with your address/date + summary of ANSI work.
Recurring schedule (12–24 months) to keep you compliant with lighter, faster visits.

DIY vs. Pro: where the line sits

DIY okay

Hand pruners for tiny twigs at ground level.
Light shrub trims to restore the 24″ wall gap.

Pro territory

Anything over the roof, near the service drop, or under tension.
Large interior or reduction cuts (easy to do wrong; hard to undo).
Palms with suspected nutrient issues or a damaged spear leaf.

We’ll keep your trees strong and your paperwork clean.

Real local examples (what actually happened)

Bloomingdale East: Laurel oak tips over the roof, palms touching the cage. We submitted with 8–10′ roof reduction and 9–3 palm care; approved at the next meeting; after-photos closed the loop in one email.
Valrico side yard: Headroom was 6′ over the walk. We raised to 8′, restored 24″ off stucco, and added service access. ARC signed off immediately.
Insurance overlap: Homeowner had an “encroaching vegetation” letter and ARC request. We used the same measured scope; insurer and HOA both closed the file with our photo packet.

FAQs

Do I need a permit as well as ARC approval?

Sometimes—city/county rules vary. If a permit or arborist letter is needed, we’ll handle that and add copies to your HOA file.

Can you keep my trees looking natural and still pass?

Yes. Reduction cuts + selective thinning preserve shape while hitting measurable targets. We avoid flat, topped silhouettes.

How often should I re-submit?

Most HOAs don’t require re-approval for maintenance within the same scope. We’ll keep you compliant with a 12–24 month trim schedule and update photos on request.

Your zero-friction path to approval

Certified Arborist packet — Book Certified Arborist Services. We take the photos, write the ANSI scope, and assemble the submission.
ANSI trimming — Schedule Tree Trimming & Pruning. We complete the work exactly as approved.
Documentation — We send matching after-photos and a completion note for the ARC file.
Stay compliant — Put trims on a recurring schedule so approvals stay evergreen.