About
The Board of Zoning Appeals hears and decides appeals made for exceptions to and variations from City of Cleveland Ordinances governing Zoning or from persons who are questioning the appropriateness of orders made by administrative officials. It is the Board’s goal to treat all persons fairly and courteously. Each appeal is heard and decided on its own merit. Listed below are answers to commonly asked questions regarding the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Meetings:
Meetings are held on Mondays at 9.30am (Currently Virtual and in-person)
Board Members
- Alanna Faith, Chairwoman
- Arleesha Wilson, Esq.
- Nina Holzer
- Priscilla Rocha, Esq.
- Marcus Madison
Notice
Under the conditions specified by law, the Board of Zoning Appeals will be conducting virtual meetings in a limited capacity using the WebEx Platform. This will include limited agenda items to initiate the process to ensure we can appropriately evaluate the process.
The Board of Zoning Appeals meetings will also be live streamed on YouTube.
To keep the WebEx session to a manageable size we are asking individuals that wish to participate in the meeting to contact the Board of Zoning Appeals office by phone or email (email is preferred). Those individuals not planning to comment on any agenda item during the WebEx session are encouraged to view one of the live streams.
To contact the Board of Zoning Appeals office and request access to the WebEx meeting please call (216) 664-2580 or email us at boardofzoningappeals@clevelandohio.gov.
For the quickest response please include an email address with your request.
We ask that you include the name of the project you plan to comment on when requesting access to the WebEx meeting.
Important: Any variance granted by the Board expires 6 months afterward if no permit has been issued nor acted upon to exercise the variance rights.
Agendas
Presentations
FAQs
The Board of Zoning Appeals business hours are from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Yes. It is strongly urged that you take the opportunity to review your plan with staff in the Building and Housing Department and with City Planning to determine whether there is a possibility for change that may eliminate the need to appeal for a variance from the Code. Contacting your Council person to discuss your plan is also recommended. City Planners can be reached at 216- 664-2210. Building and Housing Plans Examiners can be reached at 216-664- 2910. City Council’s main number is 216-664-2840.
Factors that the Board may consider for granting a variance include but are not limited to:
- whether the property in question will yield a reasonable return or whether there can be any beneficial use of the property without the variance;
- if the variance is substantial- a large extent of size, area, distance, etc.;
- whether the essential character of the neighborhood would be substantially altered or adjoining properties would suffer a substantial detriment as a result of the variance;
- if the variance would adversely affect the delivery of governmental services-safety forces, water, sewer, garbage collection, etc.;
- was the property purchased with knowledge of the zoning restriction;
- whether the predicament feasibly may be resolved through some method other than a variance;
- whether the spirit and intent behind the zoning requirement would be observed and substantial justice done by granting a variance.
The hearings are held Monday mornings at 9:30am in Room 514 on the 5th floor of Cleveland City Hall.
- If Monday is a holiday recognized by the city, the meeting is held on the following Tuesday.
- You will be sent a notice in the mail stating the date and time of your hearing. It is important that you list your correct mailing address on your application.
NOTE: your hearing cannot be held until notices are mailed to nearby property owners and an announcement is published in the City Record. The notification process requires a minimum of 2 weeks.
All cases are scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and cases are heard in turn. Your case may be dismissed if you do not appear on time.
The owner or their representative must appear at the hearing. The representative must submit a NOTARIZED letter to the Board stating their authority to bind the owner to the decision of the Board. IF THE NOTARIZED AUTHORIZATION LETTER IS NOT RECEIVED BEFORE OR AT THE TIME OF THE HEARING YOUR CASE WILL BE POSTPONED A MINIMUM OF 4 WEEKS.
Your representative must be familiar with the property and the current conditions and operations of any business associated with the appeal.
Please contact the Board office at (216) 664-2580 to make a request for a postponement.
The Board decision on your case will be finalized at the next meeting, unless you are required to submit additional information to the Board. When the Board has voted to ratify a voted decision, a resolution and letter will be mailed to you with instructions.
Contact the Board office at (216) 664-2580 for the procedures regarding a request for rehearing or reconsideration.
Any variance granted by the Board expires 6 months after ratification if no permit has been issued nor acted upon to exercise the variance rights. Contact the Board Office regarding a possible extension of your variance rights. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Board of Zoning Appeals staff.