restrictive covenant

American  

noun

1. a covenant with a clause that restricts the action of any party to it, especially an agreement among property owners not to sell to members of particular minority groups.

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restrictive covenant British  

noun

1. law a covenant imposing a restriction on the use of land for the purpose of preserving the enjoyment or value of adjoining land

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Etymology

Origin of restrictive covenant

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Goodloe, who is Black, uncovered his 1939 home’s original restrictive covenant earlier this year when he looked up the deed.

From Washington Post • Aug. 17, 2022

This year, as they prepared to sell the house, they found information online about restrictive covenant modifications and filed for one.

From Seattle Times • May 1, 2021

But should religious restrictive covenant be interpreted any differently?

From The Guardian • Feb. 9, 2018

The city sold its protection — a restrictive covenant — for $16 million to a company that then resold the property, for a profit of roughly $72 million.

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2016

With Diana and Matthew's mixed blood children's lives hanging in the balance, their goal is to abolish the restrictive covenant.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2014