Special Exception (Conditional Use)
A use allowed in a zoning district only with specific approval after meeting stated conditions; also called a conditional use.
A special exception, also called a conditional use, is a use that the zoning code permits in a district only if the applicant obtains approval and meets stated conditions. Examples include a church or a school in a residential zone.
Unlike a variance, which grants relief from a rule due to hardship, a special exception is a use the code anticipates and allows under conditions.
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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.