An owner suffers a hardship because of the way a property is terraced. As a consequence, the owner wants to build the house 15 feet closer to the center of the street than the zoning regulations permit. Before beginning construction, the owner must apply for a

A restrictive covenant is a private agreement that restricts the use of the property in a particular manner, often established by previous owners or developers. It does not provide a means to deviate from zoning regulations but rather enforces specific limitations on property use, making it irrelevant to the owner's situation.

A conditional use permit allows a property owner to use their land in a way that is generally not permitted under current zoning regulations, but only under specific conditions. This permit would not apply here, as the owner is seeking to modify the setback distance rather than changing the use of the property itself.

A nonconforming use permit is issued for properties that were established before new zoning regulations came into effect, allowing them to continue their existing use despite being noncompliant with current laws. Since the owner is not maintaining an existing nonconforming use but rather requesting a change, this option does not apply.