What is a Variance?
Variance permits are requested by citizens in specific cases where strict enforcement of a zoning regulation would cause unnecessary or unusual hardship. The Board of Zoning Appeals hears requests for variances and can vary or modify a regulation. An application for a variance must contain a surveyed plat and a statement of the unusual circumstances or unique physical characteristics which would cause an unreasonable hardship on the applicant with the strict enforcement of the requirements of the Zoning ordinance. These may include exceptional narrowness, shallowness, size, or topographic conditions of the property. The process for a variance is as follows: (1) Bring proposed plans to the Planning Department where staff will provide pre-application counseling. An application form and other necessary information will need to be presented to the Board of Zoning Appeals in preparation for a public hearing. (2) Upon receipt of the complete application form and required fee, the Planning st
