The Zoning Officer enforces the Township Ordinances and sees to it that the plans approved by the Boards are built according to their direction. One of the functions of the Zoning Board of Adjustment is to grant variances to allow uses on lots that are not expressly permitted by ordinance or development of a lot in which a zoning standard can not be achieved; such as rear or side yard setback.

If you have been referred to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, you will encounter a process that will require:

The Board will reduce their decision to writing in an instrument called a Resolution. If their decision is a Resolution of Approval, there may be conditions to the approval spelled out in the Resolution. An example of a condition for an addition to a house (that requires a variance) might be to provide a grading plan for storm water management. You must meet the conditions before you can obtain zoning and building permits. Depending upon the nature of the application, the process could take from three months to a year.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment reviews all applications where citizens need interpretations of the Zoning ordinances or where development does not meet zoning standards and grant variances so that development can take place.