What does a 'non-conforming use' generally indicate regarding a property's compliance with zoning laws?

A 'non-conforming use' indicates that the use of a property does not conform to the current zoning regulations, but importantly, it typically means that this use predated the enforcement of those regulations. It recognizes that the property may have been used in a manner that was legal at the time of establishment and has continued to be used in that way, even though zoning laws have since changed. This status allows the property to continue functioning as it has, preventing immediate legal action against the use, unless stipulated otherwise by local laws.

In the context of zoning, non-conforming uses are often protected to avoid penalizing property owners who invested in their properties before the zoning laws were established. This creates a balance between the interests of the property owner and the community planning goals set forth by the zoning laws.