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Section 29 . 2
1.5 hours

B. Nonconforming Uses, Variances and Exceptions

Harvard Law School Library

At times, new zoning precludes uses that were previously allowed. The remaining allowed uses may be inappropriate for a particular parcel of land within a zone. Conditions may have changed, making previous zoning inappropriate, or developers may wish to build more than current zoning allows. Zoning authorities may have determined that particular uses are acceptable, but only under specified conditions requiring a more detailed permit process. All these possibilities require some way of addressing unusual conditions and ongoing change. This section reviews various techniques zoning authorities use in such circumstances. 

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