Board of Adjustment

The Zoning Board of Adjustment function is to review departures from the Township’s Zoning requirements. The Zoning Board principal duties is to hear appeal’s, grant variances from the strict application of the zoning ordinance and to rule on “use” applications.There are various types of variance applications under the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board. One variance is called the “A” variance; this type of application believes that the Township Zoning Officer has erred in denying a request for zoning approval. The Zoning Board will take testimony and decide a case based on proofs presented. The Zoning Board is also responsible for interpretations of the zoning ordinance and zoning map on questions to whether or not a specific use is permitted. This type of variance is called a “B” Variance.

The most common type of variance heard by the Zoning Board of Adjustment is a variance from the bulk dimensional requirements of the ordinance, referred to as “C” variance. This is a commonly requested variance in the Township, generally associated with construction of single-family dwellings, accessory structures and additions. When building or expanding, a “C” variance may be needed because existing constraints of the property, size, area, shape or topographic conditions which may prevent compliance with the zoning regulations for that property. The Board then makes decisions based on documents and proofs submitted, the neighborhood setting, nature of request and many other reasons.

The Board also must deal with those applications for variances where a use is not specifically permitted in the zone. This is called a “D” variance or “use” variance. There are six different kinds of “D” variances, but the most common “D” variance is generally a request for a use not permitted in a zone or expansion of a non-conforming use.