What is use variance in real estate?

What is a Use Variance?

In real estate, a use variance refers to a legal exception granted by a zoning authority that allows the property owner to use the land in a way that is not normally permitted under the current zoning regulations. This type of variance is often sought when a property owner wants to utilize their property in a manner that diverges from the specified use designated by the local zoning laws, such as converting a residential property into a commercial space. To obtain a use variance, the property owner typically must demonstrate that the existing zoning regulations impose an unnecessary hardship in utilizing the property and that the proposed variance will not negatively impact the surrounding community's welfare or alter the area's general zoning plan significantly.