Zoning Board of Appeals

A Board of Zoning Appeals shall be established, consisting of five (5) members appointed by the Mayor. Each member shall serve a term of five (5) years. Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

The members of the Board shall elect a Chairman from among themselves, who shall serve a term not to exceed two (2) years.

Jurisdiction and Authority

The Board of Zoning Appeals shall have the authority to hear and decide appeals for exceptions to, and variances from, the application of zoning ordinances within the City of Garfield Heights. These decisions shall be made in accordance with the purpose and intent of the applicable ordinances.

The Board shall also hear and decide appeals related to exceptions, variances, or interpretations arising from the enforcement of zoning laws by administrative officials.

Decisions of the Board regarding variances or exceptions to the Use District designations, as established by the zoning ordinances adopted by Council, shall become final two (2) weeks after the date of the decision unless reviewed and overturned by a vote of five (5) members of the Council, acting on their own initiative. The Council is hereby empowered to take such action.

Agendas can be found in the Agenda Center below the Council and Committee Agendas.