What is the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)?
The Board of Zoning Appeals is a semi-judicial body established by State law and County Ordinance, to provide relief in special circumstances where the exact application of the terms of the ordinance would be unduly restrictive and cause an undue hardship. Without this body to decide on such matters, solutions to unique development problems would have to be accomplished by numerous detailed amendments to the ordinance or through a lawsuit. Therefore, the function of the BZA is to hear and decide upon the interpretation and the application of the provisions of the zoning ordinance in these cases. Although the BZA has certain discretionary powers in making its decisions, these powers have definite limits. The BZA must always abide by and comply with the powers granted to it by the Zoning Ordinance and the State-enabling act. The Board of Zoning Appeals is empowered by Section 15.2-2309 – 15.2-2315 of the State Code and Article XVIII, Section 4 of the Zoning Ordinance to: 1. Hear and deci
