In real estate and land use law, a Grandfather Clause is a provision that allows an existing use, structure, or business to continue even though it no longer complies with current laws or regulations. The use was lawful when it was established but became nonconforming due to a change in zoning or other regulations.
Grandfather clauses protect property owners from being forced to immediately alter or discontinue lawful uses that were permitted at the time they began. However, these protections often apply only as long as the use continues without significant change or interruption, and expansion or reconstruction may be restricted.
