The Supreme Court of Virginia recently clarified the legal standard that the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) must apply when reviewing variance applications. The court summarized the standard as follows:
“The threshold question for the BZA in considering an application for variance as well as for a court reviewing its decision, is whether the effect of the zoning ordinance upon the property under consideration, as it stands, interferes will ‘all reasonable beneficial uses of the property, taken as a whole.’ If the answer is in the negative, the BZA has no authority to go further.” Cochran v. Fairfax County Bd. of Zoning Appeals, 267 Va. 765 (2004)
The BZA can grant a variance only if the applicant demonstrates that the zoning ordinance interferes with all reasonable beneficial uses of the property. The applicant should be aware of this, as the application fee cannot be refunded once a case has been advertised, regardless of the board’s decision.
Click here to log in to Build Henrico
VARIANCES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
What is a variance and when should one be approved?
What is a conditional use permit and when should one be approved?
What is an appeal and when should one be granted?
What is the procedure for applying to the Board of Zoning Appeals?
What is a variance and when should one be approved?
A variance is an approval of the size of a lot, or the size or location of a structure, that does not meet the requirements of the zoning ordinance. The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), a body of five citizens appointed by the Circuit Court, may grant a variance if they find that, because of some unusual characteristic of the property, a strict application of the zoning ordinance would result in a hardship so severe that it was almost the same as taking the property.
Before a variance can be granted, the applicant (usually the owner of the property) must show the zoning regulations “actually prohibit or unreasonably restrict” the use of the property, or that there is a “hardship approaching confiscation.” In other words, it must be impossible or unreasonable to use the property without the variance. Mere convenience, or a desire to maximize profit, does not justify a variance. A variance may also allow a reasonable modification for a person with a disability.
The Supreme Court of Virginia has determined that “[t]he threshold question for the BZA in considering an application for variance as well as for a court reviewing its decision, is whether the effect of the zoning ordinance upon the property under consideration, as it stands, interferes will ‘all reasonable beneficial uses of the property, taken as a whole.’ If the answer is in the negative, the BZA has no authority to go further.” The board has no authority to grant a variance where the owner is able to make reasonable beneficial use of the property without it. The BZA can grant a variance only if the applicant demonstrates that the zoning ordinance interferes with all reasonable beneficial uses of the property.
If the board finds evidence of a hardship approaching confiscation, it must consider five other factors. The hardship must not be self-imposed; the variance must not cause substantial detriment to adjacent property; and the circumstances must not be shared generally by other properties in the vicinity. A variance cannot change the zoning of the property or the uses that are permitted and the relief must not be available through a special exception or modification.
Back To Top
What is a conditional use permit and when should one be approved?
For each zoning district, the Zoning Ordinance lists certain uses that are allowed by right, and other uses that may be allowed under a conditional use permit. The Board of Zoning Appeals has the discretion to allow the use or not, depending on the location and other factors. If it allows the use, the Board has the discretion to impose conditions on the permit to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
In deciding whether to grant a conditional use permit, the Board of Zoning Appeals considers the following factors (Zoning Ordinance Sec. 24-2308.D):
- Is the proposed use consistent with the purposes, goals and policies of the comprehensive plan and other applicable County-adopted plans?
- Does the proposed use comply with all applicable zoning district standards, use-specific standards, development and design standards, and all relevant subdivision and infrastructure standards in the County Code?
- Is the proposed use appropriate for its location and is it compatible with the general character of surrounding lands and the types, scale, and intensity of uses allowed in the zoning district where proposed?
- Will the proposed use adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare?
The BZA may impose conditions relating to the use for which a conditional use permit is granted as it deems necessary in the public interest, including limiting the duration of a permit, and it may require a guarantee or bond to ensure compliance with the conditions imposed. Zoning Ordinance Sec. 24-2308.C.6(b)
What is an appeal and when should one be granted?
An appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals may be taken by any person aggrieved by any decision of the Director of Planning (or by any officer, department, board or bureau of the county). The appeal must be filed within 30 days after the entry of the decision appealed. (County Code, 24-2320.B.2)
An appeal stays all proceedings in the furtherance of the action appealed from, unless the Director of Planning certifies to the BZA after the notice of appeal has been filed that staying the proceedings would cause imminent peril to life or property. (County Code, 24-7502.C.2)
At the hearing, any party may appear in person or by agent or by attorney. The BZA may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order, requirement, decision or determination appealed. The concurring vote of three members of the Board shall be necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision or determination. (County Code, 24-2104)
What is the procedure for applying to the Board of Zoning Appeals?
All variance, appeal or conditional use permit requests must be submitted through Build Henrico. Applications are processed according to a schedule of deadlines and public hearing dates, which is published each year. The County is required to advertise applications in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and mail notices to the owners of all adjoining property.
The fee covers a portion of the cost of advertising, researching, reviewing and processing the application. If an application is withdrawn before the advertisement is prepared, the County may refund part of the fee. After the advertisement has been prepared, the fee cannot be refunded.
The applicant or a representative is required to attend the public hearing. At the hearing anyone may speak in favor of, or in opposition to, any application. Written comments may also be submitted. The Board decides most cases the day of the hearing.
