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Declaration of Restrictive Covenants

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PROTECTIVE COVENANTS

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the undersigned, being the OWNERS of all that certain land and property lying and being situated in County, , and being described as follows:

See Description attached hereto as Exhibit “A”.

Owners desire to impose certain protection for themselves and all future owners and purchasers of all or any portion of the property described above. Owners therefore do hereby covenant and agree with reference to all of said property, with all purchasers and future owners of any of said property, that for a period of twenty-one (25) years from the date of this instrument the following protective covenants and restrictions shall apply and be legally enforceable as to the property described above or if sold in lots, to each and every one of the lots, to-wit:

1. All property or lots shall be used for Commercial purposes only. No structure or building shall be erected, altered, placed or permitted to remain on any lot other than one commercial structure, not to exceed four stories in height, plus a basement, if applicable.

2. The term "Commercial purposes" shall generally be defined as those uses now or hereafter allowed by the Official Zoning Ordinance, as same may be amended of the City of , . However, notwithstanding the allowed uses of the City of , zoning ordinance, the following uses are prohibited:

(a) Convenience Stores

(b) Gasoline stations

(c) Quick Oil Change or other automobile service businesses

(d) Any other use which the Owners shall deem, in their discretion, detrimental to the surrounding businesses.

3. In order to preserve the design and plans for the development all future owners of any lot or lots, shall furnish to Owners, or Owner’s designated agent, complete plans and specifications, including site plans, building elevations, material samples, if requested, and landscaping plan, prior to commencement of construction. Owners may designate an agent to review same and if so, Owners shall file with the Chancery Clerk of County, , a Designation of Agent form. Any designated agent shall have all powers of the Owners in the enforcement of these covenants.

4. All plans shall be of acceptable design, approved by Owners, or Owners’ agent, prior to construction. No buildings may be constructed of Metal siding or concrete block as the outside visible walls. All exterior walls must be constructed of brick, stucco, drivit, wood or other similar material.

5. No fencing may be constructed on any lot, other than ornamental fencing approved by Owners, or Owners’ agent, along highway 80 or along the North, West or East property lines of the overall development. It is the intent of Owners to prohibit any fencing internal to the development except such fencing as may be required by the City of for trash receptacles.

6. All buildings constructed shall have parking as approved by the City of from time to time. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit a parking variance by the City of for any building.

7. No dogs, cats or other animals will be permitted to be housed or to remain permanently on any lot.

8. No trash, ashes or other refuse may be thrown or dumped on any of the lots.

9. No building material of any kind or character shall be placed or stored upon the said property except during periods of construction or improvements thereon. Building material shall not be placed or stored in the street or between the curb and property line.

10. All driveways must constructed of concrete or asphalt.

11. Grass, weeds and vegetation on each lot shall be kept mowed at regular intervals by the owner, so as to maintain the same in a neat and attractive manner. Trees, shrubs and plants which die shall be promptly removed from such lots. The above restrictions apply to all lots purchased before and after a structure is built on the lot.

12. Other restrictions applicable to each lot may be made by appropriate provision in the deed, without otherwise modifying the covenants and provisions contained herein, and such other restrictions shall inure to the benefit of all parties in the same manner as though they had been originally expressed herein.

13. No building erected or located on any of the above described lots shall be any time be used as a residence, either temporary or permanent, nor shall any structure of a temporary character be used as a residence.

14. No obnoxious or offensive trade or activity shall be conducted on the above described lots, nor shall anything be done thereon which may become an annoyance or nuisance to the development.

15. No lot or lots may hereafter be subdivided so as to create a building plot of less than 12,000 square feet. Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit the construction of a building on more than one lot, nor shall the use of less than a full lot be prohibited, subject to the minimum lot size. Division of lots is permitted.

16. The useable area of any structure, exclusive of open porches and garages, shall not be less that fifteen hundred (1500) square feet.

17. Building set backs shall be as required by the City of ordinances and regulations.

18. No antennas, citizen band or otherwise, that require towers or guide wires, shall be permitted on any lot in said subdivision at any time.

19. Easements for the installation and maintenance of utilities and drainage facilities are reserved as shown on the recorded plat of Courtside Professional Park.

20. All of the restrictions and covenants appearing herein as well as those appearing in a plat, deed or other conveyance of any of said lots shall be construed together, but if any one of the same shall be held to be invalid by judgment or court decree, or for any other reason is not enforced or enforceable, none of the others shall be affected or impaired thereby, but shall remain in full force and effect.

21. If any owner or owners of any lot so subdivided and platted, and thereby bound by these covenants, or their heirs, devisees, assigns, or successors in title, shall violate or attempt to violate any of the covenants herein, any other person or persons owning any of said lots may prosecute any proceedings at law or in equity against the person or persons violating or attempting to violate any of such covenants, either to prevent him or them from so doing, and/or to recover damages for such violation, including attorneys fees and other costs incurred in such action. All of the terms and provisions set forth and contained herein shall be specifically enforceable.

22. These covenants shall run with the land and shall be binding upon all parties and all persons claiming under them for a period of twenty-five (25) years from the date of this instrument, at which time the covenants shall be automatically extended thereafter for successive ten (10) year periods, unless two-thirds (2/3rds) of the then owners of lots in Courtside Professional Park, shall, by written instrument filed and recorded in the office of the Clerk of County at , , at any time after the date of this instrument, agree that the same shall be terminated and rendered null, void and of no further effect. In addition, these covenants may be amended or supplemented at any time by the written consent of two-thirds (2/3) of the owners of the lots in .

IN WITNESS THEREOF, , has executed the above and foregoing instrument of Protective Covenants, this the day of , 20 .

BY:

ITS:

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

PERSONALLY appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the jurisdiction aforesaid, on this the day of , 20 , within my jurisdiction, the within named , who acknowledged that he is Owner and Manager of and that in said representative capacity he executed and delivered the above and foregoing instrument, as said own act and deed, after first having been duly authorized to do so.

GIVEN UNDER my hand and Official Seal of Office this the day of , 20 .

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:

STATE OF

COUNTY OF

PERSONALLY appeared before me, the undersigned authority in and for the jurisdiction aforesaid, on this the day of , 20 , within my jurisdiction, the within named ., who acknowledged that he executed and delivered the above and foregoing instrument.

GIVEN UNDER my hand and Official Seal of Office this the day of , 20 .

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:

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What a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants Is

A Declaration of Restrictive Covenants is a recorded legal instrument that places private, written restrictions on land use, development, or occupancy for a parcel or subdivision. It identifies the property, parties, permitted and prohibited activities, and enforcement mechanisms. Declarations run with the land and bind current and future owners who take title after recording. For many transactions the declaration is prepared by counsel, reviewed by title professionals, and recorded at the county recorder to provide constructive notice to third parties.

Why a Declaration Matters for Property and Title

A properly drafted, recorded declaration clarifies permitted uses, preserves community standards, and protects property values while providing a clear enforcement path for covenantee parties.

Why a Declaration Matters for Property and Title

Who commonly prepares or relies on this declaration

Parties involved in creating, reviewing, or enforcing restrictive covenants typically include property owners, homeowners associations, developers, title companies, and real estate attorneys.

  • Developers and builders who set long-term use and design standards for subdivisions.
  • Homeowners associations enforcing rules, assessments, and architectural guidelines.
  • Title companies and purchasers confirming encumbrances during closing.

Each participant has distinct responsibilities: drafters define scope, title reviewers verify recordation, and enforcers monitor compliance and pursue remedies when necessary.

Primary signers and stakeholders

Developer

A developer or declarant typically drafts the Declaration to impose and manage covenants; counsel ensures language is enforceable, and the developer arranges recording and initial enforcement mechanisms.

Homeowner

Individual buyers or homeowners accept covenants at purchase; they should read restrictions carefully, confirm association rules, and maintain compliance to avoid enforcement or fines.

Core elements to include in a professional declaration

A robust Declaration of Restrictive Covenants contains clear definitions, scope of restrictions, duration, enforcement details, exceptions, and recording instructions to ensure enforceability and notice.

Parties

Identify declarant(s), affected owners, and any association with mailing addresses and legal entity names for service and enforcement.

Property Description

Provide legal description, parcel ID, and map references sufficient for county recorder identification and title indexing.

Restrictive Provisions

Spell out specific use limits, architectural controls, easements, and prohibited activities with measurable standards where possible.

Term and Termination

State effective date, duration (fixed or perpetual), renewal conditions, and amendment thresholds for future changes.

Enforcement

Describe enforcement remedies, assessment power, attorney fee recovery, and who may initiate actions in court or arbitration.

Recording Instructions

Include county recorder language, notarization block, and signature spaces formatted for recording and title indexing.

Step-by-step: completing and recording the declaration

Follow a clear sequence to draft, sign, notarize, and record the declaration to create enforceable notice.

  • 01
    Prepare Draft: Draft terms and have counsel review.
  • 02
    Obtain Signatures: All declarants and required signers execute the document.
  • 03
    Notarize: Complete notary acknowledgment per state rules.
  • 04
    Record: File with county recorder for constructive notice.

How the recording and notice process works

Recording converts a private agreement into public notice; counties index the instrument so buyers and lenders discover encumbrances.

  • County Recorder: Accepts and indexes recorded documents.
  • Title Examination: Title companies confirm recorded covenants.
  • Constructive Notice: Recordation binds future purchasers.
  • Enforcement Action: Rights-holder enforces covenants in court.

Digital workflow settings for online completion

Configure the online workflow to collect required data, signer authentication, and recording-ready output before finalization.

Template Use a recorder-friendly template with notarization block.
Field Validation Apply required fields and format checks for dates and parcel IDs.
Signer Authentication Choose email, SMS, or enhanced verification per risk level.
Notary Integration Enable RON or in-person notary steps where permitted.
Export Format Generate final PDF/A or PDF for recording.

Technical considerations for eSigning and notarization

Ensure the platform supports secure PDFs, audit trails, and the authentication level required for recording and notarization.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite available
  • Notary Support: Supports RON and in-person

For high-volume or enterprise use, confirm SSO, API access, and whether a BAA is needed for HIPAA-covered properties; verify recorder acceptance of e-recorded PDFs.

Key dates and timing to track

Maintain a timeline covering when covenants take effect, recording, periodic reviews, and any notice windows for enforcement or amendment.

Effective Date:

Date specified in declaration; obligations begin then.

Recording Deadline:

Record before conveyance to provide constructive notice.

Enforcement Start:

Enforcement may begin after recording and notice.

Amendment Notice:

Follow stated notice period for proposed changes.

Review Cycle:

Periodic review recommended annually or at change.

Milestones from draft to ongoing compliance

Track milestone stages to ensure timely execution, recording, and ongoing monitoring for compliance and enforcement.

01

Draft Finalization

Finalize language and exhibits before signature.

02

Execution and Notary

All parties sign and notary completes acknowledgement.

03

County Recording

Recorder indexes document for constructive notice.

04

Ongoing Monitoring

Document compliance and address violations promptly.

Common preparation and recording mistakes to avoid

  • Using vague or ambiguous restriction language that courts may find unenforceable or void for uncertainty.
  • Failing to include a complete legal description or APN, causing the county recorder to reject or mis-index the instrument.
  • Omitting required notary acknowledgments or witness blocks that some recorders or title insurers require.
  • Attempting to restrict uses that conflict with municipal zoning or public law, which can render provisions void.

Risks and consequences of improper declarations

Unenforceable Covenant: May be struck by court
Recording Rejection: Delays title and closing
Title Insurance Issue: Claims or exceptions added
Financial Penalties: Assessment fines possible
Liability Exposure: Costs for defense or damages
Amendment Disputes: Competing owner objections

Recordkeeping and security considerations

ESIGN / UETA: Compliant electronic records acceptable
Audit Trail: Preserve signer IP and timestamps
Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES-256 at rest
BAA Available: HIPAA BAA on request
Access Controls: Role-based permissions recommended
PDF Standards: Produce recorder-ready PDF/A output

eSignature vendor comparison for recording-ready workflows

Platform cost and compliance matter when executing and managing recordings; the table compares basic pricing and common enterprise capabilities across major vendors.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about the declaration

Answers to common questions about drafting, signing, recording, and enforcing Declarations of Restrictive Covenants.


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