Nonconforming Use
A land use that was lawful before a zoning change and is allowed to continue, though generally not to expand; also called grandfathered.
A nonconforming use is a use that was legal before a zoning change made it no longer permitted in the district. The use may usually continue as grandfathered, but it generally cannot be expanded, and if abandoned it often cannot be resumed.
Zoning rules aim to phase out nonconforming uses over time rather than force their immediate removal.
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- Variance
Permission to deviate from a specific zoning requirement because strict compliance would cause an unnecessary hardship.
- Special Exception (Conditional Use)
A use allowed in a zoning district only with specific approval after meeting stated conditions; also called a conditional use.
- Comprehensive Plan
A Texas municipality's long-range land use plan, adopted under the Local Government Code to guide zoning and development.
This definition is Texas real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.