Final answer:
The nonconforming rule typically runs with the land, so new owners of a nonconforming property inherit the rights to continue its use. However, local regulations may pose restrictions, and these rights can be lost in certain situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a property is sold as a nonconforming use, it typically means the property does not comply with current zoning regulations but was in place before the new zoning laws were enacted. The term grandfathering is often used to describe this situation. The rights to the nonconforming use generally run with the land, which means they are not specific to any owner but inherent to the property itself.
If an owner sells a nonconforming property, the new owner usually inherits the same rights to continue the nonconforming use under the principle of grandfathering. However, there may be local regulations that limit changes, expansion, or reconstruction of nonconforming properties, and such rights can potentially be lost if the property is abandoned, the usage is discontinued for a certain period, or if the structure is destroyed and needs to be rebuilt.
Therefore, while the general rule suggests that the nonconforming rule will apply to successive owners, this is not absolute and can depend on specific local zoning ordinances and circumstances surrounding the property's use and condition.