Zoning Board of Appeals

Overview

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBOA) is a five-member board appointed by the City Council. The board has the following powers and duties:

  • To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is error in a decision or requirement made by an administrative official in the enforcement of the Beaufort Code
  • To permit uses by special exception subject to the terms set forth in the Beaufort Code
  • To hear and decide requests for variances from the requirements of Chapter 4 of the Beaufort Code, Floodplain Regulations
  • To hear and decide requests for variances from the requirements of the Beaufort Code when strict application of the provisions of the ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship.

Granting variances

A variance may be granted by the ZBOA only when the board makes and explains in writing all of the following findings:

  • Comprehensive Plan: Granting of the variance would not substantially conflict with the Comprehensive Plan and the purposes of the Beaufort Code.
  • Conditions: The conditions are not the result of the applicant’s own actions.
  • Extraordinary and exceptional conditions: There are extraordinary and exceptional conditions pertaining to the particular piece of property. For example, the variance is justified because of topographic or other special conditions unique to the property and development involved, in contradistinction to mere inconvenience or financial disadvantage.
  • Other property: These conditions do not generally apply to other property in the vicinity.
  • Substantial detriment: The authorization of the variance would not be of substantial detriment to adjacent property or the public good, and the character of the district would not be harmed by granting of the variance.
  • Utilization: Because of these conditions, the application of the ordinance to the particular piece of property would effectively prohibit or unreasonably restrict the utilization of the property.

The fact that property may be utilized more profitably should a variance be granted may not be considered grounds for a variance.

Not granting a variance

The board may not grant a variance the effect of which would be to:

  • Allow the establishment of a use not otherwise permitted in the applicable zoning district
  • Change the zoning district boundaries shown on the official zoning map
  • Extend physically a nonconforming use of land
  • Increase the density of a use above that permitted by the applicable district.

Section 9.14 of the Beaufort Code describes the variance process and applicability in more detail. Section 9.13 describes the process for Special Exceptions.  Section 9.15 describes the Administrative Appeals process.

Agendas & minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

Most recent agendas and minutes

Meetings

  • 5:30 p.m.
  • 4th Monday of the month
  • City Hall (Council Chambers)
    1911 Boundary Street
    Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

Members

  • Kenneth Hoffman, Chairman
  • Mark Sviland, Vice-Chairman
  • Kevin Blank
  • Patrick McMichael
  • Parker Moore

2023 Schedule

Only digital submittal of all documents is accepted now. You may also view the meeting schedule in document form.  Scheduled dates to review applications depend on the number of applications received.

Written comments for any project before the board must be submitted by noon (12 p.m.) on the business day before the meeting.

Meeting Schedule  
Monday, Jan. 23, 2023  
Monday, Feb. 27, 2023  
Monday, March 27, 2023  
Monday, April 24, 2023  
Monday, May 22, 2023  
Monday, June 26, 2023  
Monday, July 24, 2023  
Monday, Aug. 28, 2024  
Monday, Sept. 25, 2023  
Monday, Oct. 23, 2023  
Monday, Nov. 27, 2023  
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023  

Applications forms

View the various Zoning Board of Appeals applications forms: