Last Updated: 2010-01-27

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) provides a means through which a property owner may seek relief from provisions of the zoning ordinance. The BZA hears and makes decisions regarding requests for variances and special exceptions, such as waivers involving setbacks, height, parking, etc. The BZA also makes decisions regarding appeals to any decision made by the City Zoning Administrator. The BZA is NOT empowered to change the use of a property.

Membership Information

The BZA is comprised of five citizen members and two alternates representing a cross-section of the city, appointed by the Circuit Court to serve a four-year term.

Members of the BZA cannot discuss with an applicant or members of the public any case pending before it nor will Board members consider information submitted directly to them by these parties pertaining to such cases. All written material desired to be considered by the Board should be submitted to the Secretary of the BZA, Room 511 of City Hall, no later than 15 days prior to the public hearing at which the case is to be considered.

Meeting Dates & Filing Schedule

BZA Meeting Filing Deadline Staff Review Filing Deadline
Zoning Office Meeting BZA Secretary
January 4, 2012 November 11, 2011 November 28, 2011 December 6, 2011
February 1, 2012 December 16, 2011 December 22, 2011 January 3, 2012
March 7, 2012 January 20, 2012 January 30, 2012 February 6, 2012
April 4, 2012February 17, 2012February 27, 2012March 5, 2012
May 2, 2012March 16, 2012March 26, 2012April 2, 2012
June 6, 2012April 13, 2012April 23, 2012April 30, 2012
July 3, 2012**May 18, 2012May 29, 2012June 4, 2012
August 1, 2012June 15, 2012July 2, 2012July 9, 2012
September 5, 2012July 13, 2012July 23, 2012July 30, 2012
October 3, 2012August 17, 2012August 27, 2012September 4, 2012
November 7, 2012September 14, 2012September 24, 2012October 1, 2012
December 5, 2012October 19, 2012October 29, 2012November 5, 2012
January 2, 2013November 16, 2012November 26, 2012December 3, 2012
February 6, 2013December 14, 2012December 21, 2012December 31, 2012
March 6, 2013January 18, 2013January 28, 2013February 6, 2013


BZA Meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month and begin promptly at 1:00 p.m.

** [NOTE: The July 2012 meeting is scheduled for the 1ST TUESDAY of the month due to the Independence Day holiday.]  

Applications shall be processed once the application form (Certificate of Occupancy/Zoning Compliance, building permit, sign permit, etc.) as well as the required plans (survey/site plan, floor plan(s) and elevation drawing(s)), the signed instruction pamphlet, the required fee and other information is submitted.

A $175.00 fee is required for any application involving single- or 2-family dwellings.

A $550.00 fee is required for any application involving all other uses.

A $250.00 fee is required to appeal a decision of the Zoning Administrator.

For more information, contact the Secretary of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Meeting Dockets

Dockets
July 2010 February 2010 September 2009 April 2009
June 2010 January 2010 August 2009 March 2009
May 2010 December 2009 July 2009 February 2009
April 2010 November 2009 June 2009
March 2010 October 2009 May 2009

Minutes of past BZA meetings are available electronically or in hard copy by contacting the secretary of the BZA, Roy Benbow at 646-3409 or the Zoning Administrator, William “Chuck” Davidson at 646-6353.

Contact Information:

Board of Zoning Appeals
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Room 511
Richmond, VA
23219 USA
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Phone: (804)646-3409
Fax: (804)646-5789

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