Deed Restriction
Understand deed restrictions in Canadian real estate — what they are, how they affect property use, and their role in land control.

July 27, 2025
What is a Deed Restriction?
A deed restriction is a condition written into a property’s deed that limits or prescribes how the property can be used, binding future owners until legally changed.
Why Deed Restrictions Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian property law, deed restrictions help preserve neighbourhood character, control land use, or uphold community standards.
Examples:
- Prohibiting commercial use of residential property
- Limiting building height
- Restricting types of exterior finishes
Understanding deed restrictions helps buyers assess property limitations before purchase.
Example of Deed Restrictions in Action
The deed restriction prevented the owner from adding a second storey to the house.
Key Takeaways
- Limits or prescribes property use
- Written into the deed
- Binds current and future owners
- Helps preserve community standards
- Requires legal action to change

Yardi
Yardi







Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 
15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)





Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)



















