ANDERSON v. BOMMER

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Docket Number

No. 95-310.

Attorney(S)

Peter F. Moyer, Jackson, for Appellant. R. Michael Mullikin of Mullikin, Larson Swift, LLC, Jackson, for Appellee.

Judges

LEHMAN, Justice.

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Smart Summary

Factual and Procedural Background

Appellee Timothy Bommer sought to enjoin appellant James Anderson, Jr. from violating a restrictive covenant related to the construction and use of a home located in the Sage Subdivision in Jackson, Wyoming. Bommer and Anderson own adjacent lots in the subdivision, which is governed by a Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions recorded in 1964. Bommer purchased his lot in 1972, and Anderson acquired his adjacent lot in 1992, with both parties aware of the covenants prior to purchase.

During construction, Anderson altered his home’s design from a single-family dwelling to a structure containing multiple separate living units, including a "family suite" and a finished basement unit, each with independent access and living facilities. Anderson resided intermittently in one unit while leasing the other units to unrelated tenants, which Bommer alleged violated the single-family residence restriction.

The district court held that Bommer had standing to sue but denied summary judgment on whether Anderson violated the restrictive covenant. Following a bench trial, the court ruled that Anderson had violated the covenant and issued an injunction against further violations. Anderson appealed both rulings.

Legal Issues Presented

Whether Bommer had standing to sue for injunctive relief under the restrictive covenants.
Whether Anderson violated the "single family residence" restriction contained in the subdivision’s restrictive covenants.

Arguments of the Parties

Appellant's Arguments

Anderson contended that Bommer lacked standing because Section 12 of the restrictive covenants permits enforcement only by the original declarant or a majority of the subdivision’s current owners.
He argued that the term "single-family residence" was ambiguous and claimed he did not violate the covenant because his residence was a single-family dwelling with guest quarters.
Anderson asserted that his use was permitted because he obtained a building permit and approval from the Jackson building inspector under local ordinances, implying that municipal approval should supersede the restrictive covenants.

Appellee's Arguments

Bommer maintained that he had standing as a current property owner to enforce the covenants, relying on the recitals which grant enforcement power to all future owners of record.
He argued that Anderson’s use of the property as multiple separate living units violated the clear and unambiguous single-family residence restriction.
Bommer asserted that local zoning ordinances cannot override or nullify restrictive covenants, and thus municipal approval does not excuse Anderson’s violation.

Table of Precedents Cited

Precedent	Rule or Principle Cited For	Application by the Court
Samuel v. Zwerin, 868 P.2d 265 (Wyo. 1994)	Standard of de novo review for questions of law.	The court applied this standard in reviewing the district court’s legal conclusions regarding standing and covenant violation.
McHuron v. Grand Teton Lodge Co., 899 P.2d 38 (Wyo. 1995)	Restrictive covenants are contractual and interpreted under contract principles; clear language is given its plain and ordinary meaning without strict construction.	The court interpreted the restrictive covenants according to their plain language, rejecting ambiguity in the single-family residence restriction.
Kindler v. Anderson, 433 P.2d 268 (Wyo. 1967)	Interpretation of restrictive covenants as contracts and determination of parties’ intent from the entire instrument.	The court considered the entire covenants document, including recitals, to determine standing and enforceability.
American Holidays, Inc. v. Foxtail Owners Ass'n, 821 P.2d 577 (Wyo. 1991)	Intention of parties to restrictive covenants is determined from the whole instrument.	The court relied on this principle to construe the enforcement provisions broadly to include all current owners.
Bowers Welding Hotshot, Inc. v. Bromley, 699 P.2d 299 (Wyo. 1985)	Determination of parties’ intent in restrictive covenants.	Used to support interpretation of covenants as a whole and the scope of enforcement rights.
Kincheloe v. Milatzo, 678 P.2d 855 (Wyo. 1984)	Clear and unambiguous language in covenants is to be given its ordinary meaning.	Supported the court’s rejection of ambiguity in the covenant’s language.
Morris v. Kadrmas, 812 P.2d 549 (Wyo. 1991)	Contract provisions in covenants that appear to conflict must be reasonably reconciled; owners have the right to enforce covenants.	The court reconciled the enforcement clause and recitals to conclude all owners have standing.
Knadler v. Adams, 661 P.2d 1052 (Wyo. 1983)	Definition and application of "single-family residence" in restrictive covenants.	Used to define "single-family residence" as a dwelling for one family in a single living unit, supporting the violation finding.
Dice v. Central Natrona County Improvement Serv. Dist., 684 P.2d 815 (Wyo. 1984)	Consistent with Knadler on the meaning of single-family residence.	Reinforced the interpretation of the single-family restriction.
Fox v. Miner, 467 P.2d 595 (Wyo. 1970)	Zoning ordinances cannot override or abrogate restrictive covenants.	The court rejected Anderson’s argument that municipal approval excused his covenant violation.

Court's Reasoning and Analysis

The court conducted a de novo review because the facts were undisputed and the issues were legal in nature. It treated the restrictive covenants as contracts, interpreting them under contract law principles to ascertain the parties’ intent from the entire document, including the recitals.

Regarding standing, the court reconciled the apparent conflict between Section 12—which limits enforcement to the original declarant or a majority of owners—and the broader language in the recitals granting enforcement power to all future owners. Applying the principle that conflicting contract provisions should be harmonized if reasonable, the court concluded that each record owner has standing to enforce the covenants.

On the substantive issue, the court found the "single family residence" restriction language clear and unambiguous. It interpreted the phrase to mean a dwelling designed for and used by one family in a single living unit. Anderson’s modification of the home to contain multiple separate living units, leased to unrelated tenants and occupied separately, constituted a violation.

The court rejected Anderson’s argument that municipal building permits and inspections authorized his use, citing precedent that zoning ordinances cannot override restrictive covenants.

Holding and Implications

The court AFFIRMED the district court’s rulings that:

Bommer had standing as a current property owner to bring suit to enforce the restrictive covenants.
Anderson violated the restrictive covenant prohibiting use of the property as anything other than a single-family residence.

The direct effect is that Anderson is enjoined from continuing the covenant violation. The decision does not establish new precedent beyond affirming existing principles on covenant enforcement and interpretation.

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James G. ANDERSON, Jr., Appellant (Defendant), v. Timothy J. BOMMER, Appellee (Plaintiff).

LEHMAN, Justice.

Appellee Timothy Bommer sought to enjoin appellant James Anderson, Jr. from violating a restrictive covenant in the construction and use of a home located in Jackson. Pursuant to a motion for summary judgment hearing, the district court held that Bommer had standing to bring the action but denied summary judgment as to whether Anderson had violated the restrictive covenant. That issue was resolved by a trial without jury wherein the district court ruled that Anderson had violated the restrictive covenant and enjoined Anderson from further violation. Anderson appeals both rulings.

We affirm.

ISSUES

We are presented with the following issues for review:

I. Whether Bommer had standing to sue for injunctive relief.

II. Whether Anderson violated the "single family residence" restriction of the restrictive covenants of the subdivision.

FACTS

Anderson and Bommer own adjacent lots located in the Sage Subdivision (Subdivision) in the town of Jackson. The Subdivision was created by way of a plat recorded in 1964, which is subject to a "Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions." Bommer purchased lot 34 in 1972, and Anderson acquired lot 33 in February of 1992. Both parties were aware of the restrictive covenants prior to their purchases.

During construction of his home, Anderson showed Bommer the construction plans. Those plans provided for an integrated single-family dwelling as required by the restrictive covenants. During construction, however, Anderson changed the design to include two separate living units in addition to the main living area of the home. Anderson accomplished this by eliminating a door to what was called the "family suite" and finishing a separate living area immediately below, which was shown on the original construction plans as an unfinished basement. Each living unit is accessed solely by separate outside doors, and each consists of a bedroom, bathroom, closet, linen closet and furnishings. In addition, the "family suite" contains a wet bar.

Since 1993, Anderson has periodically resided in the area originally designated on the plans as the "family suite," which he describes as a "motel room," while leasing the main living unit to tenants. In 1995, Anderson's son and a friend stayed in the basement living unit. Anderson is not related to the tenants, and the portion of the home occupied by the tenants is inaccessible to Anderson. Likewise, the tenants have access only to their separate living unit.

DISCUSSION

Inasmuch as the facts are not in dispute and the issues present questions of law, this court conducts a de novo review of the district court's conclusions of law. Samuel v. Zwerin, 868 P.2d 265, 266 (Wyo. 1994). In this regard, we treat restrictive covenants as contractual in nature, and they are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of contract law. McHuron v. Grand Teton Lodge Co., 899 P.2d 38, 40 (Wyo. 1995); Kindler v. Anderson, 433 P.2d 268, 270-71 (Wyo. 1967). We seek to determine and effectuate the intention of the parties, especially the grantor(s), as it may appear or be implied from the instrument itself. See American Holidays, Inc. v. Foxtail Owners Ass'n, 821 P.2d 577, 579 (Wyo. 1991); Bowers Welding Hotshot, Inc. v. Bromley, 699 P.2d 299, 303 (Wyo. 1985); Kindler, at 270-71. Intention of the parties is to be determined from the entire context of the instrument, and not from a single clause. American Holidays, at 579; Bowers Welding Hotshot, at 303; Kindler, at 270-71. Where the language imposing the restriction(s) is clear and unambiguous, we construe it according to its plain and ordinary meaning without reference to attendant facts and circumstances or extrinsic evidence, and the rule of strict construction does not apply. McHuron, at 41; American Holidays, at 579; Kincheloe v. Milatzo, 678 P.2d 855, 859 (Wyo. 1984); Kindler, at 271.

I. Standing to bring suit

Contending that Bommer lacks standing to bring this action, Anderson asserts that § 12 of the restrictive covenants requires that an action can be brought only by the original declarant of the restrictive covenants or by a majority of the current subdivision owners:

SECTION 12. That any violation of the covenants, conditions and restrictions contained herein may be enjoined in a court of laws [sic] or equity by the undersigned [the original declarant] or by a majority of the owners of said property, and any person violating said covenants, conditions and restrictions shall be liable for damages to the remaining owners.

Section 12, however, is just one section out of many contained within the restrictive covenants. Pursuant to our standard of interpreting covenants as a whole, we must look also to other significant clauses found therein. Such significant and key clauses are found in the recitals to the restrictive covenants, which state:

WHEREAS, The undersigned hereby certify and declare that they do hereby establish the following restrictions and covenants expressly for the beneficial development and improvement of said property; and

WHEREAS, The power to enforce the following restrictions and covenants is to reside in the undersigned and all future owners of record of said property;

NOW THEREFORE, The undersigned hereby declare that the property described and referred to above is and shall be held and conveyed upon and subject to the conditions, covenants, restrictions, reservations and charges hereinafter set forth, which are designed for the mutual benefits of the owners of said lots and shall inure to and pass with each and every lot therein, and which shall apply to and bind the Grantor and the Grantee, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns[.]

These recitals are contained at the beginning of the restrictive covenants and are, hence, an expression of the intent and purpose for which the covenants were formulated.

In resolving Anderson's contention that a majority of the owners must join in the suit, we are guided by our rule that contract provisions which apparently conflict must be reconciled if such can be done by any reasonable interpretation. Morris v. Kadrmas, 812 P.2d 549, 553 (Wyo. 1991). As a general rule, a restrictive covenant may be enforced by one whose benefit it was made. 21 C.J.S. Covenants § 34 (1990). Here the recitals state that the covenants are for the beneficial development of the land, are for the mutual benefit of the owners and all future record owners, and that the power to enforce such covenants resides in all record owners. We conclude, therefore, that the recitals clearly and unambiguously grant the power to enforce the covenants in each and every record property owner. See Morris, at 553 (introductory language to covenants recited that the covenants were for the benefit of each and every lot and the owner or owners thereof, and an owner had the right to enforce the covenants and the legal right to correct any violation).

II. Single-family residence restriction

The covenant allowing only single-family dwellings provides:

SECTION 1. (a) West 1/2 Lot 11 to thirty seven (37) both numbers inclusive shall be used for single family residence purposes only and that no building or structures other than one family private residence with the customary out buildings (including private garage) shall be erected, maintained or permitted on a building site.

Anderson argues that he has not violated this covenant because his residence is nothing more than a single-family dwelling which contains guest quarters. Claiming the term "single-family" is ambiguous, Anderson claims he is not a resident of the dwelling, but rather is a guest who infrequently stays at the residence.

We find the language "shall be used for single family residence purposes only and that no building or structures other than one family private residence * * * shall be erected, maintained or permitted on a building site" is clear and unambiguous. The plain and ordinary meaning of "single family residence" is a residence constructed for the purpose of serving as a dwelling place for one family in a single living unit; a residence constructed and being used for the purpose of serving as the dwelling place of two separate families or two separate living units is outside of this meaning. See Knadler v. Adams, 661 P.2d 1052, 1053-54 (Wyo. 1983); accord Dice v. Central Natrona County Improvement Serv. Dist., 684 P.2d 815, 818 (Wyo. 1984). It is undisputed that Anderson leases the residence to tenants, excluding the "motel room" and the separate furnished basement living unit. Thus, the tenants do not and cannot have exclusive enjoyment and use of the entire residence as one, single-family living unit. It is undisputed that Anderson has resided in the "motel room" at different times, and that the separate furnished basement unit was used by his son and a friend. Such multi-family use is in clear violation of the covenants.

Anderson additionally asserts that his use is permitted because the Jackson building inspector issued to him a building permit, inspected the construction and approved the residence pursuant to the Jackson ordinances. We cannot countenance this contention. As we stated in Fox v. Miner, 467 P.2d 595, 597 (Wyo. 1970), it is well settled that zoning ordinances cannot override, annul, abrogate, or relieve land from building restrictions or covenants placed upon them. Lacking any evidence that the restrictive covenants are invalid, illegal or contrary to public policy, we follow precedent in holding that the Jackson ordinances cannot relieve Anderson of his obligation to uphold the restrictive covenants.

CONCLUSION

We hold that Bommer had standing to bring this action; the restrictive covenants are for the mutual benefit of each and every lot owner in the subdivision and may be enforced by an owner thereof. Anderson violated the clear and unambiguous restriction against use of the residence as anything other than a single-family dwelling.

Affirmed.