What does a non-conforming use refer to?

What does a non-conforming use refer to?

• A. The use or existence of a property that does not conform to present zoning status
• B. A permitted special use under current zoning
• C. The use or existence of a property that conforms to present zoning status
• D. A change in zoning in progress

Answer: (C)

Non-conforming use means the current use of a property does not meet the present zoning rules because it existed before those rules were put in place. It’s allowed to continue, often called “grandfathered,” so owners aren’t forced to stop a legal use that predated the zoning change. You can usually keep using the property as it was, and even repair or rebuild if needed, but you typically can’t expand or intensify the use without rezoning or special approval. This differs from a conforming use, which already complies with current zoning.

Non-conforming use means the current use of a property does not meet the present zoning rules because it existed before those rules were put in place. It’s allowed to continue, often called “grandfathered,” so owners aren’t forced to stop a legal use that predated the zoning change. You can usually keep using the property as it was, and even repair or rebuild if needed, but you typically can’t expand or intensify the use without rezoning or special approval. This differs from a conforming use, which already complies with current zoning.