Final answer:
The first 'C' in CC&Rs stands for Covenant, which is a provision in a deed limiting the use of property and can include prohibitions against certain actions on said property. Restrictive covenants are typically used to maintain neighborhood standards but historically have been used unethically to exclude certain groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
Private deed restrictions are also known as CC&Rs, which stands for Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. The first 'C' in CC&Rs stands for Covenant. In the context of real estate and land use, a covenant refers to a commitment in the form of a written promise within a deed that includes certain restrictions or obligations concerning the use of the property. Restrictive covenants are often put in place by land developers as a means to control the aesthetic or functional aspects of a development to maintain a certain standard or value within the neighborhood.
For example, restrictive covenants are used to establish minimum house sizes, setback lines, and aesthetic requirements thought to enhance the neighborhood. Unfortunately, in the past, such covenants have been used to exclude certain racial and ethnic groups from owning property in certain neighborhoods, which is now illegal and considered discriminatory. Today, the principal use of restrictive covenants is to ensure the harmonious design and maintenance of a development, rather than to segregate or discriminate.