Variance

Description:

A variance is when permission is granted to use a property in a manner not... currently allowed by zoning ordinances. In order to get a variance, the owner of the property usually has to show that there would be a hardship on the property (as opposed to the owner) unless the variance is allowed.

Examples of a hardship on the property would be if the property would remain vacant, or if a structurally sound piece of property would need to be torn down otherwise.

Often times, buyers will petition for a variance, since they are allowed to once they have a signed contract, and usually there is a contingencee that the variance must be allowed before the buyer will buy the property.