Indian Creek Village, a private island community in Florida, maintains a stringent set of regulations outlined in a 103-page document that applies to all its affluent residents. Known as the 'Billionaire Bunker,' the island is home to high-profile individuals such as Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Brady, Carl Icahn, and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. The rules, established when the village was incorporated in 1939, govern aspects of property development and daily life, and violations can result in daily fines of up to $500, court enforcement, or revoked building permits.
Property and Development Regulations
The village code mandates specific requirements for residential properties. Homes must have a minimum of 5,000 square feet of gross floor area, with three-quarters of that space located under the main roof. Building coverage is capped at 25% of the lot, requiring at least 55% of each property to remain as landscaped or open space. Waterfront properties also have setback requirements, with principal residences needing to be at least 100 feet from the bay. Accessory buildings must be 50 feet from the water, and fences cannot exceed 7 feet in height. Subdividing lots is prohibited, and each residential site requires a minimum of 200 feet of water frontage.
Restrictions on Amenities and Utilities
Certain amenities and structures are subject to specific rules. Helicopters and helipads are entirely banned. While pools are permitted, they cannot be located in front yards and must not rise more than 3 feet above yard grade. Guest houses and cabanas are allowed, with a limit of two extra structures per lot, capped at 800 square feet, and cannot function as standalone residences unless for staff. Hurricane generator enclosures also have strict size and setback limitations.
Landscape and Pet Ordinances
Even seemingly minor details like lawn maintenance are regulated, with grass not permitted to grow beyond 6 inches high. Furthermore, the island's code extends to pet ownership. Residents are not allowed to keep packs, herds, litters, bevies, or flocks larger than three animals without prior village resolution approval.
Governance and Enforcement
Compliance with these regulations is overseen by Village Manager Guillermo Olmedillo and enforced by the island's own police department. The strict adherence to the code ensures that the exclusive nature of Indian Creek Village is maintained, with no exceptions made for its high-profile residents.