A parcel can pass every zoning check in the county and still come with rules that are just as limiting — written not by the government, but by a previous owner, a developer, or a homeowners association. These are deed restrictions, and unlike zoning, they travel with the land itself. Here's what deed restrictions and CC&Rs actually are, why they catch buyers off guard, and how to find out what's recorded against a specific parcel before you buy. What Are Deed Restrictions (CC