Opinion ID: 2004205
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Restrictive Covenants

Text: The parties stipulated that the applicable restrictive covenants regarding the lots at issue are those contained in the Supplemental Bill of Assurance and Protective Covenants filed with the Washington County Circuit Clerk on October 25, 1967, and recorded in Book 715, page 4. Pursuant to paragraph 2, only detached single-family dwellings may be built on lots 1 through 37. Paragraph 2 also provides that no home of less than 600 square feet, or which costs less than $ 4000 may be built, and then further provides that the intent and purposes of these covenants are to assure that all dwellings shall be of a quality of workmanship and material substantially the same or better quality than that which can be produced on the date these covenants are recorded. Paragraph 8 prohibits the use of a trailer as a residence. A restrictive covenant is a private agreement. Black's Law Dictionary 373 (8th ed.2004). See, e.g., Hutchens v. Bella Vista Village Prop. Owners' Ass'n, 82 Ark. App. 28, 110 S.W.3d 325 (2003). The intent of the parties governs. Clifford Family, supra . Considering the restrictive covenants as a whole, what is clearly apparent in the text of the covenants is that they are intended to maintain the quality of the subdivision by regulating the minimum size of a house and the quality of materials used in construction, as well as construction methods. The intent is to assure that all residences will be similar detached, permanent single-family dwellings. Obviously the quality of the housing affects value and marketability. The question is how a manufactured home fits into the scheme set out in the restrictive covenants.