Zoning Board of Appeals
A Zoning Board of Appeals hears appeals, evaluates requests for interpretations and approves or denies dimensional and use variances. A variance is permission from the ZBA to allow a deviation from the code or ordinance as it pertains to zoning matters. Zoning codes are in place to regulate the use of land within a community. To bypass a zoning code, the property owner is required permission from the ZBA for a variance. The majority of cases before the ZBA are variances and in Michigan there are two types of variances: dimensional (non-use) and use variances.
When considering both use and nonuse variances, the ZBA must ensure that the “spirit of the ordinance is observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done.”