What describes legal permission to continue a nonconforming use?

• A. Grandfathering
• B. Zoning variance
• C. Legal nonconforming use
• D. Zoning special exception

Answer: (A)

Grandfathering is the term for the legal permission to continue a nonconforming use after zoning changes. It acknowledges that the use existed before the current zoning and allows it to continue, usually with restrictions to prevent expanding the nonconformity. This is different from a variance, which grants permission to depart from exact zoning requirements, or a special exception, which is a conditional allowance for a use under specific standards. It’s also distinct from a legal nonconforming use, which describes the status of the use itself rather than the permission to continue it.