A limitation placed on the use of property that is contained in a deed in the chain of title. The restriction passes with a transfer of the property (runs with the land) and usually cannot be removed by later owners.

A restrictive covenant is a type of deed restriction. Examples of restrictions include limitations on:

Certain deed restrictions, such as those prohibiting the sale of property to certain racial or ethnic groups, have been ruled unenforceable by the US Supreme Court (Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 U.S. 1 (1948)).