A variance is something that you apply for when on your property you may have a building or some other situation that doesn’t comply with the zoning laws. Essentially, the variance review board will meet and decide whether or not you can continue to have the structure on your property. It may not have the proper setbacks from the front or side yards. It may have been built previous to the zoning rules. But a variance allows you to continue using that property in the manner you have been using it, even though it may go against current zoning.