Nonconforming – what is it?
There are both non-conforming uses and non-conforming structures that are regulated by County zoning. These are often referred to as “grand-fathered.” Non-conforming Uses involve the existing use of a property that is in conflict with current zoning. It may be a house located in a commercial zoning district, a duplex in a single-family zoning district, or a house in a residential district that has had an insurance office in it for the last thirty years. The lawful non-conforming use of a structure may continue even though it does not conform with the provisions of the zoning ordinance until the use is discontinued or terminated for a period of twelve (12) months. After 12 months, the new use of the property must be in compliance with current allowed zoning uses. Lawful non-conforming structures begin at the time they were made non-conforming by the terms of the current or previous zoning ordinance. These structures may be located too close to a lot line or another structure; they may b
Related Questions
- If a legal non-conforming use wishes to expand and the expansion normally would require a variance, does the nonconforming use require a variance?
- Where an existing site is developed to provide new buildings, is an existing nonconforming curb cut required to be closed?
- Can a nonconforming use continue?
