{"id":369441,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:27","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/view-restrictions.html"},"modified":"2024-01-16T16:38:30","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T21:38:30","slug":"view-restrictions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/owning-a-home\/view-restrictions.html","title":{"rendered":"View Restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

View Restrictions<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Robert Rafii, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Many people buy homes primarily for the view. Home buyers may want a stark urban skyline, a tree-studded valley, or a secluded coastal bluff. Quite often, similar houses in the same neighborhood will have drastically different values. Prospective buyers may pay different sales prices based solely on the homes’ respective views. So it’s important to understand what a homeowner can and cannot do to preserve the integrity of their view.<\/p>\r\n

This article centers on view restrictions and how covenants may prevent views from being restricted. In real estate law, covenants are promises contained in a contract or property deed that place limitations on realty. These kinds of deed restrictions may be disclosed by real estate professionals and title companies during a sale. Property managers and homeowners associations (HOAs) may be responsible for enforcing these restrictions. <\/p>\r\n

See FindLaw’s Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions<\/a> section for related articles and resources containing frequently asked questions (FAQ).<\/p>\r\n

How Are Rights To View Protected?<\/h2>\r\n

Restrictive covenants addressing views are often found in CC&Rs (community rules)<\/a>. They are also less commonly found in local zoning laws<\/a>. The goal of these rules is to set objective standards for what is considered a visual blight in a community. One neighbor’s enhanced view might come at the expense of another homeowner. <\/p>\r\n

For example, if you build a tall structure to enjoy views of a neighboring beach, you might block your neighbor’s window. Community rules and local laws can help balance these interests in as fair a way as possible.<\/p>\r\n

When it comes to real estate transactions, homeowners pay top dollar for properties with a view. A listing broker or realtor will frequently advertise this on social media and open houses. They’ll do walk-throughs highlighting the privilege of gazing at an appealing scene from the comfort and privacy of one’s own single-family home. Potential buyers in the real estate industry will consider views to be a highly prized commodity. This, in turn, manifests in the enhanced dollar value of the real estate.<\/p>\r\n

Property owners may be surprised to hear there is no natural or common law right to:<\/p>\r\n