What does a variance allow a property owner to do?

A variance is a legal permission granted to a property owner to deviate from the established zoning regulations that apply to their property. Zoning regulations are put in place to control land use and maintain the desired characteristics of neighborhoods. However, there are often situations where strict adherence to these regulations would be impractical or create undue hardship for the property owner.

In such cases, a variance allows the property owner to "bend" specific zoning rules, which might include aspects like setbacks, height restrictions, or use limitations. For example, if a property owner needs to construct a building closer to the property line than zoning laws typically permit, they can apply for a variance and if granted, they can proceed with their plans despite the existing regulations.

The other options do not accurately describe the purpose of a variance: changing property ownership involves transferring title, expanding boundaries is a different legal process typically requiring subdivision approval, and selling property does not involve zoning regulations. Thus, the essence of a variance lies in providing flexibility in the application of zoning laws when specific conditions warrant it.