What is the main purpose of a variance in property law?

A variance in property law serves the primary purpose of permitting deviations from zoning requirements that would otherwise restrict the use or development of a property. Zoning regulations are enacted by local government entities to control land use and ensure that areas are developed in a way that is consistent with community planning goals. However, there are instances where strict adherence to these rules may result in undue hardship for a property owner, such as unique property characteristics or specific circumstances that make compliance impractical or impossible.

By granting a variance, a zoning board or other governing body allows the property owner to utilize their property in a manner that slightly deviates from the established regulations, without compromising the overall intent of the zoning laws. This provides a mechanism for flexibility within the framework of zoning that helps accommodate individual property needs while still maintaining community standards.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects of property law that do not align with the primary function of a variance. For example, property tax exemptions are generally unrelated to zoning laws, while changes to property ownership rights typically involve conveyancing issues, and enforcing building codes pertains to constructions standards rather than deviations from zoning designations.