Board of Zoning Appeals

Summary of Petitioning the Board of Zoning Appeals

1. Contact the Planning Department at 9800 Government Center Parkway or call 804-748-1050, to submit proposed request and supporting documentation to initiate the pre-application conference.
2. The supporting documentation will be forwarded to a project manager who will contact the applicant to discuss the request and schedule an appointment to review the process and application.
3. The application (received at the pre-application conference) shall be completed and returned to the Planning Department Customer Service Center with applicable plats, maps, filing fees and any other documentation discussed at the pre-application conference.
4. Upon receipt of the completed application form and compilation of other information, staff will begin preparing your case for public hearing and assign you a case number. Staff representatives from various county departments will review your request and the site will be inspected. A staff analysis and recommendation will be prepared and submitted to the BZA and the applicant. During this time, the request will be advertised in local newspapers, and notice of requests will be sent to adjacent property owners. At least 21 days prior to the first public hearing date for Variance and Special Exception requests, a sign is posted on the subject property. It is suggested that first-time applicants contact their adjacent property owners and/or civic associations to discuss the request.
5. At the public hearing, the applicant or a representative must appear to present the proposal and answer questions. Other interested parties will also be allowed to speak if they so desire in support or opposition of the case.
6. After hearing the testimony, the Board will take action on the request. The Board may approve the request (with or without conditions), deny the request, or defer the request to a future hearing.

If the request is approved, you may then proceed with plans and other necessary review procedures. Conditions imposed by the BZA must be incorporated in these plans. If your request is denied for a special exception or variance, you may: reapply no sooner than 12 months after denial or appeal the BZA’s decision to the Circuit Court within 30 days from date of the hearing.

Appeal to Chesterfield County Board of Zoning Appeals

Who may appeal: An appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) may be taken by any person aggrieved from any decision or determination made by the director of planning (or any other administrative officer) on zoning matters within the scope of his authority, including from a notice of zoning violation.

Requirements for appeal: A person appealing the decision must submit a completed application form, applicable fee, disclosure affidavit, and, if necessary, power of attorney form, to the Planning Department which includes the following:

1. Completed application form which identifies the action, decision or notice of zoning violation being appealed, and date it was issued, specifies the grounds for the appeal, and the relief requested.
2. Application appeal fee of $700.00 which is non-refundable ten (10) days after application submittal.
3. Disclosure affidavit which  identifies the names and addresses of all persons owning any legal or equitable interest in the real property which is the subject of the application as a title owner, lessee, easement owner, contract purchaser, assignee, optionee, licensee or note holder, including trustees, beneficiaries of trusts, general partners, limited partners and all other natural or artificial persons owning any such interest.
4. Power of Attorney form if applicable (required when an agent represents, or acts on behalf of, the appellant).
5. The appeal documentation must be received by the Planning Department prior to the deadline date specified on the written decision, determination or notice of zoning violation or the appeal will be deemed untimely and returned to the appellant.

Notice of hearing: Upon receipt of an application, staff will review the application for completeness and compliance with zoning requirements and will prepare your appeal for a public hearing before the BZA. During this time, the request will be advertised in local newspapers, notification signs posted, and notice of the appeal will be sent to adjacent property owners. You will be notified of the date of the public hearing before the BZA.