What would you call a legal restriction on how the property can be used?

A legal restriction on how property can be used is known as a deed restriction. Deed restrictions, also referred to as restrictive covenants, are provisions in a property deed that limit what an owner can do with the property. These restrictions are often put in place by the developer or a previous owner and can cover a wide range of stipulations, such as prohibiting certain types of construction, limiting the types of businesses that can be operated, or dictating how properties within a development must be maintained.

In contrast, zoning laws are regulations enacted by local governments that outline how property within certain areas can be used. While both zoning laws and deed restrictions serve to govern property use, deed restrictions are specific to individual parcels of land and are enforced by private parties, while zoning laws are enforced by public authorities.

Easements are legal rights to use another's land for a specific purpose, such as access or utility placements, and do not constitute restrictions on the use of the property itself. Title insurance protects property buyers and lenders from loss or damage arising from defects in title, but it does not impose restrictions on how a property can be used.