What is the meaning of the term "material change of use"?

The term 'material change of use' is used when there's a change in the circumstances or the purpose of using a building or premises.

Explanation:

As per the rules and regulations of buildings, the term 'material change of use' is used to mean when there's a change in the purpose of use or the circumstances under which the premises were used previously. And, after the changes in purpose,the premises are used, now, as dwellings, hotel, institution, public building, etc.

In these scenarios, the premise were not previously used as they are now, for instance, there's a material change of use in a building, where now the building is used as a dwelling place, where it was not used as a dwelling place previously.