Variance

A variance legally excuses a property holder from complying with the strict letter of a zoning rule that, if applied, would cause undue hardship to the property holder. This is to be contrasted with a legal action to overturn the zoning rule itself. Because the variance is granted by a local zoning body, and does not involve a court fight to void the zoning rule itself, the process of obtaining it is often relatively quick and inexpensive.