Administrative Variance

For residential properties, an administrative variance may be granted by the Zoning Administrator instead of a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals. An administrative variance may be granted by the Zoning Administrator for a variance of no more than 20% of the specified mathematical measurement (for example: the required side yard setback is 25’ and the applicant is requesting a variance to reduce the setback to 20’; a reduction of 20%).
  • The applicant must file a written application for the administrative variance with the Zoning Administrator. The application must include a request for a specific variance and contain sufficient information in the determination of the Zoning Administrator to give proper notice of the nature and extent of the variance requested and sufficient to enable the Zoning Administrator to make a determination thereon.
  • If the application is in order, all abutting property owners will be notified and they will have an opportunity to respond or comment in writing to the application. Abutting property owners have 21 days from the date of mailing to respond to the Zoning Administrator.
  • The applicant and/or any abutting property owner may request an informal hearing on the application before the Zoning Administrator. A request for an informal hearing must be made by the applicant within five days after the running of the response period. An abutting property owner must request the informal hearing within 21 days from the date of the original mailing notice.
  • The Zoning Administrator will make a determination on the application within 21 days of the end of the response period or the date of the informal hearing, whichever is later.
  • The Zoning Administrator will notify the applicant and all abutting property owners in writing of the decision on the application.
  • Any decision on an administrative variance application may be appealed by the applicant or an abutting property owner to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
  • In determining whether to grant an administrative variance, the Zoning Administrator is governed by the same criteria that the Board of Zoning Appeals may be required to consider when determining a variance request.

Please contact the department for additional information, 410-479-8100.