What is a restrictive covenant?

A restrictive covenant is a provision in a property deed or lease that restricts how the property owner may use their property. It is designed to maintain a certain standard within a community or to protect the value of properties by limiting certain uses that could be undesirable or incompatible with the character of the neighborhood.

For instance, a restrictive covenant might prohibit the construction of unsightly structures or limit the types of animals that may be kept on the property. These limitations ensure that all property owners within the area adhere to the same rules, thereby contributing to the overall aesthetics and functionality of the community.

The other possibilities do not accurately define a restrictive covenant. Zoning changes pertain to municipal regulations rather than individual property agreements, maintaining a property is related to property management rather than usage restrictions, and granting ownership deals with the transfer of property rights, which is entirely separate from the concept of restrictive covenants.