Zoning Board of Adjustment in Planning Division

The Zoning Board of Adjustment has the responsibility of hearing and deciding appeals and variances.

• Appeals: when the Board  hears and decide appeals of decisions of the administrative officer enforcing the zoning ordinance.  

The Board also interprets the zoning ordinance and the zoning map.

• Interpretations:  when the Board hears and decides on a request for interpretations of the zoning map or ordinance.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment may also grant a variance for a use not specifically permitted in the zone. There are several types of variance listed below.

• Bulk Variances (“C” Variances):  A departure from any provision of a zoning ordinance except use. 
•  Use Variances (“D” Variances):  A variance granted for a use or structure that is not permitted in the zone.  Examples of use variances:
  • Use of principle structure
  • Expansion of non-conforming use
  • Deviation from a specification of standard of a conditional use
  • Increase in permitted floor area ratio
  • Increase in permitted density
  • Height > 10 feet or 10% of the maximum height permitted

• The variance application is available online, or, in the Department of Community Development's Division of Planning office, or, call (732) 562-6570 or (732) 562-6560.