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.
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What does Nonconforming Use mean on the Texas real estate exam?
Answer: A land use that was lawful before a zoning change and is allowed to continue, though generally not to expand; also called grandfathered.
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Nonconforming Use definition
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.
Source basis
Definition checked against the official sources below on .
On the exam
Exam trap
Tested in
Property Characteristics (11 of 80 National)
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