The Board of Zoning Appeals is a quasi-judicial board, which through state statute, is granted the authority to consider and approve, or deny, applications requesting relief from the requirements of the Zoning Regulations involving private property within the City of Manhattan. The Board's decisions are made following quasi-judicial procedure, to develop findings of fact, based on evidence presented to it during a public hearing. The Board was organized for the following specific purposes, as set forth in Article XIV, Administration, Part 3, of the Manhattan Zoning Regulations:

  • To hear and decide on appeals subject to the procedures and standards set out in the Zoning Regulations where it is alleged that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Administrator.

     

  • To hear and pass upon applications for variances from the regulations and restrictions imposed by the Zoning Regulations subject to the procedures and standards for variances.

     

  • To hear and decide upon applications for conditional use permits subject to the procedures and standards for conditional uses.

     

  • To hear and decide if any legally non-conforming use shall be deemed to be a conditional use of the zoning district in which it is located and any related exceptions.

     

  • To hear and decide upon applications for exceptions of the regulations subject to the procedures and standards for exceptions.

     

  • To hear and decide all matters referred to it.