Restrictive Covenant Modification

Under current state law, and pursuant to AB1466 effective January 1, 2022, anyone can request to modify property documents that contain unlawful discriminatory covenants. Government Code Section 12956.2 allows anyone who believes the property is the subject of an unlawfully restrictive covenant to record a Restrictive Covenant Modification document to have the illegal language redacted. Unlawful restrictions include those restrictions based on age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, disability, veteran or military status, national origin, source of income as defined in Government Code Section 12955 subdivision (p), ancestry, or genetic information.

Pursuant to the requirements of AB1466, the Assessor/Clerk-Recorder developed an implementation plan outlining our strategy to identify records with discriminatory restrictions.

To record a Restrictive Covenant Modification - Unlawfully Restrictive Covenant document, redacting restrictive covenant language:

• Complete a Restrictive Covenant Modification form. It must be signed by the owner, a party who has an ownership interest in the property or a party who is acquiring an ownership interest in the property. A title company, escrow company, real estate broker, real estate agent or other person can also submit it.
• Attach a copy of the original document containing the unlawfully restrictive language with the unlawful language redacted.
• Submit the completed document to the County Recorder. There is no fee to record this document in Tulare County.

Upon receipt, the Recorder's Office will review and submit the document to County Counsel, which will determine whether the original document contains any unlawful restrictions, as defined in Government Code Section 12956.2 subdivision (b). Only those determined to be in violation of the law will be recorded.

Please note that the County Recorder is not liable for modifications not authorized by law. Per Government Code Section 12956.2 subdivision (f), this is the sole responsibility of the holder of the ownership interest who caused the modified recordation.