What are "restrictive covenants"?

Restrictive covenants are clauses in property deeds that place limitations on how the property can be used. These covenants are legally binding agreements that dictate certain conditions and restrictions on property usage to maintain a particular character or standard within a neighborhood or development. For instance, they may prohibit specific types of constructions, dictate the types of materials that can be used, or limit the activities that can occur on the property.

These covenants serve to protect property values and ensure that the use of land aligns with the community's overall aesthetic and functional standards. Because they are tied to the property deed itself, they remain in effect for future owners, which helps to sustain the original intent behind the restrictions over time.

The other options, while related to property and how owners may interact with their land, do not accurately define restrictive covenants. Requirements for landscaping and guidelines for property maintenance focus on aesthetics or upkeep but do not involve legal restrictions on property use. Regulations regarding property taxation pertain to financial obligations to the government and have no direct connection to usage limitations imposed by property owners.