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Board of Zoning Appeals

Enabling Legislation: Act 129 of 1963; County Council Ordinance Nos. 2536 and 3229 (4/20/1999); 1994 State enacted Planning and Land Use Act.

Act 129 of 1963, which created the Greenville County Planning Commission, also provided for the creation of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA). Greenville County Council Ordinance No. 3229 provides that the board consists of nine members appointed by County Council. Board members serve staggered terms of three (3) years.

Any vacancy in the membership is filed for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members shall be removable for cause by the County Council upon written charges and after public hearing. The BOZA shall elect one of its members as chairman, who shall service for one year or until he is reelected or his successor is elected. The board of appeals shall appoint a secretary who may be an office of the county or of the county Planning Commission. The board shall adopt rules in accordance with the provisions of any ordinance adopted pursuant to the act. None of the members shall hold any other public office or position in the county. This board meets the second Wednesday of the month in Council Chambers at County Square at 3:00 p.m.

Powers and duties
The board has the following powers and duties:

  • To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Administrator in the enforcement of Ordinance 3229,
  • The authorize upon written appeal in specific cases such variance from the terms of Ordinance 3229 as will not be contrary to the public interest where, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement of the provisions of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship or peculiar and exceptional practical difficulties. Before action is take on a request for a variance the board holds one or more public hearings at which any party may appear in person, by agent, or attorney,
  • To have authority to interpret district boundaries where boundaries on the ground are at variance with those shown on the Official Zoning Map.

In granting any variance, the board may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards in conformity with Ordinance No. 3229. The concurring vote of the majority of the members of the board is necessary to reverse any order, requirement, decision, or determination of the Zoning Administrator, to decide in favor of the applicant any matter upon which it is required to pass under the ordinance, or to grant a variance from the provisions of the ordinance.

Address:
Board of Zoning Appeals
Zoning Administrator
301 University Ridge, Suite 4100
Greenville, South Carolina 29601
Telephone: (864) 467-7090