Covenants Review — Overview

Vision

We envision covenants that protect what the community owns, uphold the character residents have chosen, and enforce what genuinely matters for safety.

This committee reviews each provision against that standard — asking whether it serves a real purpose, can be applied consistently, and protects the membership fairly.

Provisions that meet the standard are worth keeping. Those that don't are candidates for revision, consolidation, or removal.

Covenant Review Checklist — 12 Questions

Classification

  1. 1

    Is this provision a safety requirement, a community need, a preservation of character, a preference, or a legacy rule?

  2. 2

    What amendment tier is appropriate — foundational, structural, or operational?

Scope and Specificity

  1. 3

    Is it specific enough that two enforcers would reach the same conclusion?

  2. 4

    Does it stay within the association's lawful authority, and does it conflict with state law or fair housing requirements?

  3. 5

    Does it duplicate, conflict with, or depend on language elsewhere in the governing documents?

Authority and Enforcement

  1. 6

    Who holds enforcement authority, and is that clearly defined?

  2. 7

    Is the enforcement mechanism defined and proportional to the violation?

  3. 8

    Is this provision practically enforceable without surveillance or subjective judgment?

Member Protection

  1. 9

    Is the burden on the lot owner proportional to the interest being protected?

  2. 10

    What procedural protections exist before enforcement begins — notice, cure period, appeal?

  3. 11

    Are there substantive limits on the association's authority under this provision?

Durability

  1. 12

    Is this provision still relevant to the community as it exists today?