Variance

A variance is an owner's requested deviation from the existing zoning code of that particular city or county. Developer's variance requests are basis in most instances, but can potentially become costly in the form of litigation and fees. A variance can cover many aspects affecting the development of the parcel of land such as: increasing the height of a building, decreasing setback requirements, land coverage, and light requirements. The developer will have to receive clearance from the regulating board of his or her city. The city's planning and development department handles these requests and looks at many factors. Minor variances will be granted by the governing board without much deliberation. However, the governing board will take into consideration such things as uniformity. Also, the governing board will take into consideration what effect the new variance will have on the people most effected, the neighbors and surrounding community.