Recommended Free Tools
After a court ordered their first backyard fence removed, two Moorestown, New Jersey, homeowners got written support from enough neighbors to amend their community covenant and install a replacement. But the change was limited to what those neighbors had approved; it did not erase the neighborhood’s fence restrictions. The New Jersey Appellate Division affirmed that result in an unpublished opinion on June 22, 2026.
How the homeowners went from losing the fence case to getting a new fence
The dispute involved neighboring homeowners in Laurel Creek, a residential development in Moorestown. Thomas and Cecelia Millea sued Vamsee Devireddy and Thejaswini Veerapalli after the defendants installed a backyard fence that violated the development’s restrictive covenant.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
On June 6, 2023, the Appellate Division affirmed an order requiring the original fence to be removed. The defendants complied, then sought written support from other owners to change the covenant. In June and July 2023, Devireddy collected signed consents. The defendants later installed another fence after obtaining a zoning permit.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11In Millea v. Devireddy, A-3678-24, the Appellate Division considered whether the covenant had been amended validly and whether the recorded change could extend beyond what owners had authorized. Its June 22, 2026 opinion affirmed a limited modification for the defendants’ fence—not a general repeal of the neighborhood’s fence rules.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Natural Solid Wood with Unique Grain】Crafted from real wood, each privacy screen features its own natural grain patterns, color variations, and wood knots, bringing warmth and character to your outdoor space. Unlike vinyl or composite alternatives, the natural wood construction blends beautifully with gardens, patios, and landscaping.
- 【No-Dig Installation for Easy Setup】Designed for convenient installation without digging or concrete. Simply assemble the panels and secure them using the included metal ground stakes. The no-dig design helps save time and effort, making it ideal for DIY outdoor projects.
- 【Hide AC Units, Trash Cans & Outdoor Equipment】Perfect for concealing air conditioning units, trash cans, pool equipment, heat pumps, garden tools, and other outdoor utilities. The slatted wood design helps provide privacy while allowing airflow, helping maintain a cleaner and more organized outdoor environment.
- 【Expandable Layout for Flexible Outdoor Spaces】The modular panel design allows multiple sets to be connected in straight-line, L-shaped, or customized configurations. Easily adapt the layout to suit patios, side yards, gardens, backyards, and utility areas of different sizes.
- 【Decorative Privacy Screen for Outdoor Living】Measuring 42" H x 40" W, this wood privacy screen adds both function and style to your outdoor space. Whether used as an AC unit fence, trash can enclosure, garden screen, or patio divider, it helps enhance privacy while improving the overall appearance of your yard.
What the covenant required—and how the vote was counted
The covenant allowed modification after the last home had been built if at least 60% of current lot owners agreed in writing. The trial court found that Laurel Creek had 304 lots and that 203 owners had signed. That is more than the 183 signatures needed to reach 60% of 304.
The recorded modification mistakenly listed 180 consents. The trial court treated that number as an error and found that 203 owners had signed; the plaintiffs did not dispute the corrected finding. The case therefore turned not just on the percentage, but on the covenant’s stated method and the evidence of actual written consent.
Rank #2
- STYLISH NATURAL WOOD: This FSC certified wood screen is made with real wood meaning no two boards have the same grain color, finish, or wood knots differing it from vinyl outdoor privacy fence screen panels.
- EASY TO INSTALL: Our wood privacy fence panel assembles in approximately 90 mins and installation is simple and easy. Using a mallet and the included ground stakes, tap your posts into the ground, securing your screen.
- NO DIGGING REQUIRED: Innovative no dig system saves you time and hassle.
- PRIVACY AND CHARM: Our no dig air conditioner fence is perfect for hiding unattractive backyard items such as AC units, trash cans, pool equipment, children's toys, and more.
- DIMENSIONS: Once assembled, your wood outdoor privacy screen will measure 60.5in H x 38.625in W. That's 5ft of height for extra privacy around your patio, deck, garden, or backyard.
Why the court limited the amendment to the fence owners approved
The consent form authorized a change needed to permit the defendants’ own backyard fence. The modification recorded afterward used broader language. The trial court restored the covenant’s original wording and directed the defendants to insert a paragraph reflecting the consent actually obtained, “and nothing more.”
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe Appellate Division affirmed. It described a restrictive covenant as a contract, subject to contract-interpretation principles, and said the covenant’s modification procedure was clear and unambiguous. Because the consent form defined what owners approved, the recorded amendment could not use their signatures to make a broader change.
Rank #3
- Natural Cedar Wood: This wood screen is made with thickened cedar wood and will never fade, differing it from vinyl fence screen panels which can not provide you a natural screen experience.
- Flexible Configuration: This fence can be arranged in U-shape, L-shape, supports four-directional to suit your needs. It is also easy to expand or customize for creative setups.
- Heavy-Duty Post: Robust thickened aluminum posts provide superior durability and corrosion resistance for maintenance-free performance.
- Sturdy Metal Stakes: Equipped with expansion bolts, the fence for outside unit securely anchors into the ground. While withstanding winds up to 75 mph when properly anchored.
- Easy Installation: Simply follow the detailed instructions, and a single person can assemble it in 20 minutes. Once assembled, your wood outdoor privacy screens will measure 78''W x 60''H.
What the ruling says about permits, HOA rules, and other legal arguments
A zoning permit did not cancel the private restriction
The opinion reports that the replacement fence had a zoning permit, but the permit did not itself resolve whether the fence complied with the private covenant. Municipal zoning approval and a community’s recorded property restrictions are separate requirements. A project may need to satisfy both.
The court did not establish a universal rule about planned developments
The plaintiffs argued that New Jersey’s Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act (PREDFDA) imposed additional procedures. The Appellate Division rejected that argument on the record before it because the plaintiffs had not presented evidence showing that Laurel Creek was a planned real-estate development subject to the statute. That is not a ruling that PREDFDA can never apply to a community or covenant amendment.
Rank #4
- STYLISH NATURAL WOOD: This FSC certified wood screen is made with real wood meaning no two boards have the same grain color, finish, or wood knots differing it from vinyl outdoor privacy fence screen panels.
- EASY TO INSTALL: Our wood privacy fence panel assembles in approximately 60 mins and installation is simple and easy. Using a mallet and the included ground stakes, tap your posts into the ground, securing your screen.
- NO DIGGING REQUIRED: Innovative no dig system saves you time and hassle.
- PRIVACY AND CHARM: Our no dig air conditioner fence is perfect for hiding unattractive backyard items such as AC units, trash cans, pool equipment, children's toys, and more.
- DIMENSIONS: Once assembled, your wood outdoor privacy screen will measure 60.5in H x 39in W. That's 5ft of height for extra privacy around your patio, deck, garden, or backyard.
The court did not require extra steps absent from the covenant
The court declined to add amendment procedures that the covenant itself did not contain. It also rejected the due-process argument: the case involved no state action, and the record did not show that owners who signed had been misled or inadequately advised.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The defendants also argued that the fence restriction had been abandoned. The Appellate Division did not decide that alternative argument.
Best Value
- Natural Cedar Wood: This wood screen is made with thickened cedar wood and will never fade, differing it from vinyl fence screen panels which can not provide you a natural screen experience.
- Flexible Configuration: This fence can be arranged in U-shape, L-shape, supports four-directional to suit your needs. It is also easy to expand or customize for creative setups.
- Heavy-Duty Post: Robust thickened aluminum posts provide superior durability and corrosion resistance for maintenance-free performance.
- Sturdy Metal Stakes: Equipped with expansion bolts, the fence for outside unit securely anchors into the ground. While withstanding winds up to 75 mph when properly anchored.
- Easy Installation: Simply follow the detailed instructions, and a single person can assemble it in 20 minutes. Once assembled, your wood outdoor privacy screens will measure 78''W x 60''H.
What homeowners should check before changing or building under a fence rule
- Read the recorded declaration or covenant. Find the exact amendment clause, including the percentage, whose ownership counts, the required form of consent, and any timing condition. In this case, the last home had to be built before the written-consent process could be used.
- Verify the count against the covenant’s denominator. Keep clear records of the lots included, the owners eligible to sign, and each signed consent. A recorded document’s summary figure may not settle the count if the underlying consents show something different.
- Match the amendment to the written approval. Do not treat consent to a limited exception as consent to a broader policy change. The court confined this amendment to the fence the signers had authorized.
- Check private restrictions and municipal requirements separately. Confirm the covenant or association’s requirements as well as zoning and permit rules before construction. Satisfying one does not establish compliance with the other.
- Keep a prior court order distinct from a later amendment. The defendants removed the fence covered by the earlier order before collecting consent and installing another. A later change to a covenant does not, by itself, undo an earlier judgment.
- Confirm the law where the property is located. This was a New Jersey case interpreting this covenant and this record. The text of another community’s documents, applicable statutes, and controlling local decisions may produce a different result. A New Jersey property or community-association attorney can assess a specific dispute.
How far the decision can be relied on
The June 22, 2026 Appellate Division opinion is unpublished and expressly says it is not precedent or binding on other courts. New Jersey Rule 1:36-3 limits its use in other cases. Its outcome depended on this covenant’s wording, its timing condition, the written consents, and the evidence presented. It is not a general authorization for homeowners to change HOA or neighborhood rules by collecting signatures.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
