Which situation represents a potential violation of zoning laws by an individual property owner?

Spot zoning refers to the practice of zoning a small area differently from the surrounding zoning regulations, often to allow a use that is not permissible under the existing zoning laws for that particular area. When an individual property owner engages in spot zoning, it can lead to conflicts with established zoning laws designed to maintain a certain character or use for a neighborhood or district. This type of zoning can be beneficial in specific circumstances but primarily can create inconsistencies and potential violations of broader zoning regulations.

In this context, spot zoning represents an infringement upon the established zoning framework that governs land use. The other options, including uses permitted by right, height limits, and contract zoning, are generally aligned with existing zoning laws or are methods to negotiate variances within the legal framework rather than outright violations. Thus, spot zoning stands out as the situation where an individual property owner's actions may directly contravene zoning regulations, leading to potential legal implications.