A variance in zoning law is best described as:
Correct Answer
B) A specific exception granted to a property owner due to undue hardship
A variance is an official exception to zoning requirements granted to a specific property owner, typically because strict application of the zoning ordinance would cause undue hardship. It does not change the zoning classification for the entire district — only for the specific parcel. Variances are granted by a local board of adjustment or zoning appeals board.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
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Key Terms:
Related Concepts
An easement is a legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose without owning it. It is a nonpossessory interest in real property that typically runs with the land.
An easement by necessity is created by court order when a property is landlocked and has no access to a public road. It arises from the necessity of accessing the property, not from long-term use.
An easement by prescription is acquired through continuous, open, notorious, hostile, and uninterrupted use of another's land for a statutory period. It is similar to adverse possession but grants use rights, not ownership.
More Land Use Controls Questions
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