The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) is an independent, quasi-judicial body of the District of Columbia Government. It is empowered to grant relief from the strict application of Zoning Regulations (Variances), approve certain uses of land (Special Exceptions), and hear appeals of actions taken by the Zoning Administrator. The Board's 5 members consist of three Mayoral appointees, a rotating member of the District's Zoning Commission, and an appointee of the National Capital Planning Commission. In cases involving only Foreign Missions and Chanceries, the Executive Director of the National Capital Planning Commission becomes the sixth member of the Board.
Public Meetings are held Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays starting at 9:30 am. at One Judiciary Square in Room 220 South. See the Office of Zoning Contact Information for detailed directions.
Click here for this month's BZA Schedule and Agenda.
Please Note that Public Hearing Notices for all cases before the BZA are published in the District of Columbia Register.
For more information on BZA see the links below:
Variances
The Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) is authorized to vary or modify any part of the Zoning Regulations where, because of an exceptional situation, the strict application of the Zoning Regulations result in “exceptional practical difficulties or exceptional and undue hardship” upon a property owner. Such hardship may result from physical characteristics which make the property unique or difficult to use. To approve an application for a variance, the Board would have to find that granting the request would not cause substantial detriment to the public good and would not be inconsistent with the general intent and purpose of the Zoning Regulations.
Special Exceptions
A Special Exception may be granted for a particular use of land or for a particular building. In general, a Special Exception is a conditioned permitted use in a particular zone district; that is, the use is permitted provided certain specific criteria are met. The Zoning Regulations set out standards for the Board to consider when deciding whether or not a particular special exception use should be allowed.
Non-Conforming Uses
A Non-Conforming Use is an existing use of land or of structure which was once permitted under the Zoning Regulations, or which pre-existed the application of the Regulations, but which is no longer permitted under current Regulations. These uses may be continued but are controlled to a greater degree than uses normally permitted by Zoning Regulations. The Zoning Regulations give BZA the authority to allow the expansion of such uses under certain circumstances and to allow certain changes in the use itself. The substitution of uses may also be permitted.
Appeals
In the case of appeals, the BZA is authorized to hear cases where it is alleged that the decision of any administrative officer or body related to the enforcement or administration of the Zoning Regulations is incorrect.
Foreign Missions
Under the Foreign Mission Act of 1982, the location, expansion, or replacement of a chancery in certain mixed use areas of the city is subject to the review and possible disapproval of the Board. Six criteria are applied when considering applications.
Board of Zoning Adjustment Members
| Board of Zoning Adjustment Members |
| Member |
Type of Appointment |
Date of Term Expiration |
| Chair Ruthanne G. Miller |
District Resident (Mayoral Appointee) |
September 30, 2008 |
| Vice Chair Marc D. Loud |
District Resident (Mayoral Appointee) |
September 30, 2009 |
| Mary Oates Walker |
District Resident (Mayoral Appointee) |
September 30, 2010 |
| Shane L. Dettman |
National Capital Planning Commission |
|
| Rotating Zoning Commission Member |
Zoning Commissioner |
|
Agencies 