What are covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs)?

Covenants, conditions, and restrictions — commonly referred to as CC&Rs — are legally binding rules attached to a property that govern how it can be used, what can be built on it, and how it must be maintained. They are typically established by a developer, a homeowners association, or a prior property owner and are recorded with the deed, meaning they transfer with the property to each new owner. Common examples include restrictions on building height, prohibitions on certain agricultural or commercial uses, or requirements about the appearance of structures.

In the Western Catskills, CC&Rs are especially relevant in planned developments, lakefront communities, and some rural subdivisions found throughout Delaware, Ulster, Greene, and Otsego counties. Buyers of rural properties should be particularly attentive to any restrictions on short-term rentals (such as Airbnb-style use), hunting, farming, or the keeping of livestock — activities that are common in the region. Your attorney will review title documents for any recorded CC&Rs, and buyers are encouraged to read them thoroughly before signing a contract.