PER CURIAM.
Appellants (the Hiltons) seek review of an amended final order invalidating the 2001 and 2005 amendments to the restrictive covenants governing the Paradise by the Sea subdivision in south Walton County. We reverse because the suit challenging the amendments is barred by the five-year statute of limitations in section 95.11(2)(b), Florida Statutes.
In July 2013, Appellees David and Elizabeth Pearson (the Pearsons) filed suit against the homeowners' association for the Paradise by the Sea subdivision alleging that the amendments to the subdivision's restrictive covenants recorded in September 2001 and April 2005 are "null and void" because they were not properly enacted. Specifically, the suit alleged that the amendments were not enacted in compliance with the subdivision's original restrictive covenants because the 2001 amendments were never voted on or approved by the owners within the subdivision and the 2005 amendments were approved by only 70% of the owners even
The Hiltons were permitted to intervene to oppose the relief sought by the Pearsons, and they filed an answer asserting the affirmative defense that the Pearsons' suit is barred by the statute of limitations. The Hiltons subsequently filed a motion for summary judgment on the statute of limitations issue in which they argued that "Harris [v. Aberdeen Property Owners Association, Inc., 135 So.3d 365 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014)] is directly on point and controlling." The trial court denied the motion.
In March 2015, after a bench trial, the trial court entered an amended final order declaring the 2001 and 2005 amendments "void" and finding that the subdivision's original restrictive covenants remain in effect. The order also reaffirmed the trial court's rejection of the Hiltons' statute of limitations defense, finding that Harris "is not applicable to the present case."
On appeal, in support of the argument that the trial court erred in rejecting their statute of limitations defense, the Hiltons rely primarily on Harris and Silver Shells Corp. v. St. Maarten at Silver Shells Condominium Association, Inc., 169 So.3d 197 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015).
We summarily reject the Pearsons' waiver argument, finding it refuted by the record and contrary to rulings by the trial court that the Pearsons did not cross-appeal. On the merits of the statute of limitations issue, we agree with the Hiltons that reversal is compelled by Harris and Silver Shells, which stand for the proposition that a suit challenging the validity of an amendment to restrictive covenants must be filed within five years of the date that the amendment is recorded even if the suit alleges that the amendment was void because it was not properly enacted. Here, the Pearsons' suit was filed almost 12 years after the 2001 amendment was recorded and more than 8 years after the 2005 amendment was recorded. Therefore, the suit is barred by the statute of limitations.
Finally, contrary to the position explicated by the Pearsons for the first time at oral argument, we see nothing in the record that could support a finding that the Hiltons were equitably estopped from
REVERSED and REMANDED with directions.
WETHERELL, MAKAR, and WINOKUR, JJ., concur.