Knutson Realty | Buying Land
HOA Covenants, Explained
HOA covenants are written requirements that apply to properties within a particular community. They can address home design, improvements, property use, and the process for reviewing proposed changes. Read the documents for the exact lot and development addition before you finalize your building plans.
It is easy to focus on the lot, the view, and the house you want to build. The community’s documents deserve the same attention. They help you understand what is expected of owners and which plans may need review before work begins.
The Language in the Documents
What Are CC&Rs?
CC&Rs is short for covenants, conditions, and restrictions. You may also hear people say deed restrictions or refer to a single rule as a restrictive covenant. The terms are related, but the document’s actual wording matters more than the label someone uses in conversation.
For a buyer, the practical question is: What does the applicable document require of this property? Find the current documents for the development and addition, then read the sections that affect the home and improvements you want. Ask for help with language you do not understand rather than relying on a quick summary.
The covenants may refer to other documents or an approval process. Keep a list of those references as you read. A short conversation with the developer, HOA, or your builder can help you find the right materials, but it does not replace reviewing the documents themselves.
Look for Your Plans
What Should You Check Before Building?
Start with the plans you already have. Think about the home’s exterior, the lot layout, a possible outbuilding, fencing, and any other improvements important to you. Then look for the sections of the applicable documents that address those plans.
Design and placement
Ask whether the documents address exterior features, the type of home, or how plans are submitted for review.
Other improvements
Check the requirements that may apply to fences, outbuildings, landscaping, or changes made after the home is complete.
Community responsibilities
Look for provisions about common property or services, if the development has them, and how owners contribute.
Review and approval
Find out whether an architectural review application is required and what you must submit before starting work.
These are questions to check, not a list of rules that applies to every one of our Communities. Requirements vary by property. The exact documents for your lot provide the answer.
Know Which Document You Need
Covenants, Bylaws, and Plat Maps
These documents can appear together on a community resource page, but they serve different purposes. Covenants address requirements tied to properties in the development. Bylaws generally describe how an association is organized and operates. A plat map shows the mapped layout of lots, streets, and other areas.
An architectural review form is another item to look for if you plan to build or alter a property. It tells you what information the reviewing group asks owners to submit. Check the documents together instead of assuming the answer will appear in one PDF.
The covenants and plat maps page lists these resources by development. It includes covenants, bylaws, plat maps, and architectural review materials for several residential communities. Find the documents that correspond to the property you are considering.
Before you download: Confirm the development name and addition. A document for another addition or neighborhood may not answer the question for your lot.
Before and After a Build
How Do Review and HOA Enforcement Work?
If the applicable documents require architectural review, submit the requested materials before starting the work covered by that process. Ask who reviews plans, what needs to be included, and how you will receive a decision. Keep a copy of what you submitted and any written response.
Questions can also arise after a home is built. A resident might ask whether a fence, exterior change, or property condition follows the community’s requirements. How such questions are handled depends on the applicable documents and the facts of the situation. Do not assume that a conversation, an older approval, or a neighbor’s design establishes permission for your property.
When you are unsure, ask for the specific section being applied and the next step in the process. Clear documents and written answers make it easier for everyone to understand what is being requested.
Before You Choose a Lot
A Covenant Review Checklist
You do not need to memorize every page during your first read. Start by finding the requirements that touch your plans and noting what still needs an answer.
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Match the documents to the property. Confirm the development, addition, and lot before relying on a PDF.
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Review your home plans. Look for requirements affecting the design, placement, and exterior of the home you want.
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Check future improvements. Ask about anything important to you, including a fence, outbuilding, or other planned addition.
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Find the review process. Identify the form, drawings, and other details requested before work begins.
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Note association responsibilities. Read the applicable documents for owner obligations and questions about community operations.
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Get unclear points answered in writing. Keep the response with your lot and building records so you can refer to it later.
Bring the checklist to your builder and to any conversation about a particular lot. It turns a long document into questions you can resolve before the design is final.
Good Questions to Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all neighborhoods have the same covenants?
No. Review the documents for the specific development and addition you are considering. A rule or approval in a nearby community does not answer what applies to your lot.
Can I choose my own builder?
Our current residential lots page says it does not require buyers to use a preferred builder. Your chosen builder should still review the requirements that apply to the lot and proposed home.
Do I need approval before building a fence?
Check the covenants and any architectural review materials for your property before ordering or installing one. The answer may depend on the fence you propose and the applicable process.
Who can explain a confusing provision?
Ask the appropriate community contact for the document and process they use. If you need advice about the legal meaning of a provision or a dispute, have a qualified professional review it with you.
Your Next Step
Read the Documents for Your Lot
Start with the documents for the development and addition you are considering. Bring your home plans, note anything you may want to add later, and ask about the review process before work begins.
View Covenants and Plat MapsStill at the beginning of your search? Our guide to buying land to build a house walks through the wider lot-buying process.
Related Guide Buying Land to Build a House See the questions to work through as you choose a lot and plan a home.Questions about a lot? Call 701-712-8700.