Zoning Administration facilitates the
development process by serving as the point of contact for zoning
determinations and authorizations. This role encompasses the review and
approval of building permits in the Critical Area, the management of the
Board of Appeals and Administrative Variance work programs, the review and
approval of sign permit applications, and the approval of home occupation
permits. Additional responsibilities include the registration and tracking
of nonconforming uses, research on land use activities, and the writing of
text amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and the Subdivision
Ordinance.
APPLICATION FORMS
One form is used to appeal an administrative
decision to the Board of Appeals and to apply for a variance or a
conditional use. This and all other forms are available on the website for
download. View the complete list of
application forms.
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE GUIDES
Our
Customer Assistance Guides are information sheets
explaining the public hearing process and how to apply for various approvals
and permits, which fall under review through Zoning Administration.
PRE-DEVELOPMENT ADVISING
Our Development Facilitator is available to
assist customers with general zoning questions and with specific questions
regarding development, ranging from construction of a porch or deck to the
subdivision of property.
BOARD OF APPEALS
The
Board of Appeals (refer to Chapter 20 of the
Zoning Ordinance)
consists of five members appointed by the County Commissioners. The Board
hears and decides appeals of administrative decisions, hears and rules on
variance requests, and hears and acts upon conditional use applications and
requests to expand a nonconforming use.
NONCONFORMING USES
A Nonconforming Use (refer to Chapter 52 of the
Zoning Ordinance) is a use lawfully occupying a structure or a site at the time of
adoption of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, which does not conform to
the use regulations of the district where it is located.
