A pre-existing construction or land use that conforms to laws on the time of its institution, however doesn’t meet present zoning necessities, is commonly thought of exempt from newer, extra restrictive guidelines. For instance, a small bakery working in a residential zone earlier than the world was rezoned solely for residential use could also be permitted to proceed its operations. One of these exemption is usually granted to keep away from undue hardship on property homeowners and to acknowledge established property rights.
Such exemptions present stability and predictability for property homeowners by safeguarding investments made in good religion reliance on prior laws. They stop abrupt and doubtlessly financially devastating adjustments in land use. This authorized precept additionally acknowledges the evolving nature of city planning and acknowledges the impracticality of forcing quick conformity with each new regulation. Traditionally, this idea has performed an important position in managing the stress between neighborhood growth targets and particular person property rights.
