A neighborhood grocery store no longer complies with the law because a new zoning ordinance is adopted so that the property is zoned for residential use. Nevertheless, the owner is allowed to continue to operate the grocery store. This is an example of

A variance is a legal exception that allows a property owner to deviate from the established zoning requirements. It typically requires application and approval from zoning authorities and is not applicable in cases where the existing use of a property is allowed to continue despite a change in zoning, as seen with the grocery store in this scenario.

Spot zoning refers to the practice of zoning a small area differently from the surrounding areas, usually to benefit a specific property or use. This situation does not involve a small area being designated for a different use but rather a broader change affecting the entire neighborhood, making spot zoning an irrelevant concept here.

A conditional use permit allows a property to be used in a way that is not typically permitted in that zoning district, subject to certain conditions. In this case, since the grocery store was already in operation before the zoning change, it does not require a conditional use permit to continue its operations.