Board of Zoning Appeals

General Information 

• The BZA meets the 1st Wednesday of the month.  Public welcome to attend. 
• Meeting dates or application submission deadlines moved due to holidays and holiday newspaper publication deadlines are denoted with an asterisk *.   Follow the posted schedule.
• Applications are due by 4pm on the submission deadline. 
• Due to publication requirements, submission deadlines are firm.

NOTE:  Meeting the submission deadline does not ensure the case will be heard at the next BZA meeting.  The City Planner will review your application, supporting documentation, and determine if the case has the information needed to properly notice the public hearing.  If your application is deficient, you case will be deferred to the following month's meeting, pending timely submission of the required information.

2019 Meeting Dates and Submission Deadlines 

January 2 (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., December 3, 2018

February 6 (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., January 7

March 6 (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., February 4

April 3 (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., March 4

May 1 (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., April 1

June 5
submit application by Mon., May 6

July 10* (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., June 10

August 7 (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., July 8

September 4 (meeting canceled - applicant withdrew request)
submit application by Mon., August 5

October 2 (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., August 26*

October 30 training session - 7pm
Held at City of Plymouth, 201 S. Main Street

November 6 (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., October 7

December 4 (meeting canceled)
submit application by Mon., November 4

2020 Meeting Dates and Submission Deadlines

January 8* 
submit application by Mon., December 9

February 5
submit application by Mon., January 6

• Review the meeting date and application submission schedule before applying. 
• Meeting dates and submission deadlines may be moved to accommodate holidays and newspaper publication deadlines.
• Follow the submission schedule posted at the Building Department and as posted on the website.
• Follow the submission instructions found on the last page of the application.  The instructions provide direction on the number of packets needed, assembling your submission, and the documents required at filing.  Incomplete applications may be deferred to a future meeting. 
• Applicable fees are noted on the application.  Applications filed without the fee are considered incomplete. 
• Submission deadlines are firm. 

NOTE:  Meeting the submission deadline does not ensure the case will be heard at the next BZA meeting.  The City Planner will review your application, supporting documentation, and determine if the case has the information needed to properly notice the public hearing.  If your application is deficient, you case will be deferred to the following month's meeting, pending timely submission of the required information.

• BZA applications are reviewed by the Building Official and City Planner to determine if they are complete. Incomplete applications are returned to the applicant for additional information. 
• Due to statutory publication requirements, incomplete or deficient applications are deferred to a future BZA meeting based upon when the necessary information is received. 
• For complete applications, City staff prepares a public hearing notice for publication in the newspaper and mails notification to the applicant and property owners located within 300 feet of the property in which the request is located. 
• Complete applications are provided to BZA members prior to the meeting. 
• Staff reviews are provided to the petitioner by email prior to the scheduled meeting.

Petitioner appears on his/her own behalf, or by representation.  Failure to do so will result in the petition being tabled. 

Petitioner is responsible for covering all fees associated with rescheduling the meeting.

Meeting format is as follows: 

• Introduction of the petition by the City
• Petitioner presentation
• Public hearing
• Deliberation
• Motion and Vote

BZA members have the authority to grant a lesser variance than requested upon finding justice shall be served.  In addition, the BZA may require conditions related to the site, operation, and/or use to mitigate the impact of any variance.