The Board of Zoning Appeals takes action on variances to the County's zoning and subdivision regulations, appeals, and any delegated special use applications.
There are seven members on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Each member is appointed by the Circuit Court by election district. Members have a term of five years and are eligible for reappointment.
The Board of Zoning Appeals meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
Please note the following regarding ex parte communication with Board of Zoning Appeals members:
§ 15.2-2308.1. Boards of zoning appeals, ex parte communications, proceedings.
A. The non-legal staff of the governing body may have ex parte communications with a member of the board prior to the hearing but may not discuss the facts or law relative to a particular case. The applicant, landowner or his agent or attorney may have ex parte communications with a member of the board prior to the hearing but may not discuss the facts or law relative to a particular case. If any ex parte discussion of facts or law in fact occurs, the party engaging in such communication shall inform the other party as soon as practicable and advise the other party of the substance of such communication. For purposes of this section, regardless of whether all parties participate, ex parte communications shall not include (i) discussions as part of a public meeting or (ii) discussions prior to a public meeting to which staff of the governing body, the applicant, landowner or his agent or attorney are all invited.
The Board of Zoning Appeals hears and decides the following applications and appeals:
Appeal from any decision of the zoning administrator or from any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative officer in the administration or enforcement of the zoning ordinance.
Variance from a provision of the zoning ordinance.
Interpretation of the Official Zoning Map where there is any uncertainty as to the location of a district boundary.
Please note that the Board of Zoning Appeals is not authorized to hear and decide applications for special exceptions (special use permits) by Ordinance. That authority is is granted to the Planning Commission by Ordinance.
Links to Code of Virginia that relate to the Board of Zoning Appeals:
If you would like to obtain an application for variance or appeal, please contact Andrea Maddox (amaddox@bedfordcountyva.gov) or the Community Development Office at (540)-586-7616.
