Existing buildings · Defined
Legal nonconforming use
A use that may lawfully continue despite not meeting current zoning requirements, subject to jurisdiction-specific rules and evidence.
Why it matters
The status is not established by age alone. Discontinuance, expansion, alteration, or casualty can affect continuation rights and require legal or municipal confirmation.
In practice
A project example
An existing use is allowed to remain, but a proposed expansion requires separate zoning review.
General educational guidance from KOW Building Consultants. Examples are illustrative, not project records. The applicable contract, standard, program, and jurisdiction control the requirements for a specific assignment.