Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is established by the township zoning ordinance. For townships with a population under 5,000, the ZBA must consist of no fewer than three members.

Membership

• Members serve three-year terms (initial appointments may be staggered to ensure continuity)
• One regular member must also serve on the township’s Planning Commission
• Remaining members must be township electors residing outside of any village

Role and Responsibilities

The ZBA is a quasi-judicial body responsible for interpreting and applying the zoning ordinance. Its duties include:

• Making interpretations of the zoning ordinance
• Hearing and deciding variance requests
• Hearing appeals from administrative determinations by zoning officials or bodies
• Reviewing other matters as assigned by the zoning ordinance
• In some cases, hearing appeals from special land use or planned unit development decisions (if authorized by the zoning ordinance)