ABA Family Legal Guide

Home Ownership

Property Rights and Restrictions

Your Property Rights

What are covenants?

Covenants, also called conditions, consist of private restrictions designed to maintain quality control over a neighborhood. A builder may draw up covenants affecting a new subdivision he or she is developing--and in modern developments, these restrictions can be significant and extensive. In an older subdivision, the covenants might be recorded on the plat. A plat is a plan or map of a piece of land showing the location and boundaries of the land. Covenants typically restrict such things as lot size, square footage, and architectural design. They also may prohibit satellite dishes, boats and motor homes, certain types of fences, and unsightly activities such as auto repair.