All districts
The Zoning Board of Appeals has 7 members and 2 alternates appointed by City Council, including one member from the Planning Commission (Section 15.02). For hearing dates, check the city's posted meeting schedule.
- Dimensional variances (setbacks, height, coverage) use the practical difficulties standard and pass by majority vote. The board must find exceptional property characteristics that relate to the premises, are not personal, and are not self-created, plus no harm to the area, and it grants only the minimum variance necessary (Section 15.04.E).
- Use variances use the stricter unnecessary hardship standard and need a two-thirds vote, with reasonable-return and uniqueness findings and a mandatory pre-hearing conference (Sections 15.03.B, 15.04.F, 15.05.B).
- Administrative appeals must be filed in writing within 30 days of the written decision (Section 15.04.C.1).
- A variance stays valid for 1 year. A denied application may not be resubmitted for 1 year absent new evidence (Section 15.05.A).
- Site plans. One- and two-family dwellings and their accessory structures are exempt from site plan review (Section 8.02.B). Preliminary site plans go to the Planning Commission, which approves with 5 concurring votes; final approval is administrative through the Planning Department (Section 8.03). The Zoning Administrator may administratively review 15 minor categories, including home occupations, fences, and signs (Section 8.03.C).