What is a pre-existing non-conforming use?

A pre-existing non-conforming use is a type of property law that applies in North Carolina. This law states that a property may continue to be used for a particular purpose, even if it is now in violation of current zoning laws, if it was used that way continuously prior to those laws being established. This means that if a property owner was using their property for something like a business or an apartment building before the zoning laws enacted by the city or county, then they can continue to use the property for that purpose even if it no longer complies with the current zoning rules. This is because the pre-existing non-conforming use has been grandfathered in and is exempt from the current laws. This is a useful law because it allows property owners to keep using their land for their intended purpose, regardless of any changes to zoning laws.

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What is a pre-existing non-conforming use?

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