AFAIK they're not real common around here - it's the local council that sets the rules as to what you can and can't do. I know many places have a 'Brick Covenant' but apart from that I'm not sure how hard and fast the rules are. I think much of it is handled by people complaining to council if they don't like what's going on, and council making a call on whether it's allowed or not.
As I live in a flat (unit, apartment, whatever...) there are a number of strata rules, but they're no big deal.