Deed Restrictions

Deed restrictions are the legal document that lays out the guidelines for the planned community. The deed restrictions are recorded in the county records in the county where the property is located and are legally binding. This means that when you purchase a lot or a home in a planned community, for example, you automatically become a member of the HOA.

Basically, the deed restrictions are the rules of your neighborhood. They govern what you can, can’t, or must do with respect to your home. For example, the deed restrictions might require you to keep your garage door closed or prohibit certain types of landscaping. It’s also typical for the deed restrictions to regulate things like:

• Basketball hoops
• Clotheslines
• Fences
• TV antennas/satellite dishes
• Garbage cans

(Learn more in Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) and CC&Rs: Know What You’re Getting Into.)

If you don’t abide by the deed restrictions, the HOA might impose penalties for any violations. (Learn more about Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions in HOAs.)

Reference: Nolo Legal Encyclopedia