Neighborhood Bill of Rights (NBR)
Citizen Participation
Participation of citizens in their government is a hallmark of the American experience. The opportunity for citizens to participate is much greater at the Local level than at the State or Federal level. However, there has been an increasing tendency for citizens to avoid participation for a variety reasons.
The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the value of having our citizens involved in their government. Out of a sincere desire to encourage citizens to participate more in government the Board of County Commissioners passed Ordinance 2007-1 entitled the Neighborhood Bill of Rights.
What is the Neighborhood Bill of Rights?
The Neighborhood Bill of Rights is an ordinance which gives neighborhood or homeowner associations increased notification, the ability to acquire more information, and the right to increase participation in matters of concern to their communities.
The idea for this Ordinance originated in a meeting of the St. Johns County Civic Association Roundtable in 2005 where Suzanne Jenkins, a Commissioner from Duval County presented a program on Duval’s Neighborhood Bill of Rights. For the next two years the idea gained momentum as it was presented to large numbers of homeowner associations and civic groups around the County.
At the end of 2006 the Board of County Commissioners had a draft ordinance prepared and allowed those concerned citizens to review and modify it before its presentation. The Neighborhood Bill of Rights was adopted in January 2007 and implemented on April 2, 2007.
How to Register
In order to register, homeowner associations must complete an application available either online or in the County Administrator’s Office. Homeowner associations must be able to provide the physical boundaries which their group encompasses before registration is complete.
Once your application has been submitted you are required to schedule an appointment with the St. Johns County Geographic Information Systems Department (GIS) at (904) 209-0760 to define the boundaries of your association. Your application will be approved once all information has been verified and the boundaries have been defined. Your association will receive notification of approval by email or telephone.
Email notifications are the preferred method of communication for all land use changes and County projects; however, please notify Cheri Ng if another method should be used.
Need More Information?
Anyone having questions about the St. Johns County Neighborhood Bill of Rights should contact Cheri Ng.