Zoning Variances
The Board of Adjustment is responsible for the hearing and deciding of appeals to the Zoning Ordinance and applications listed below, and has the necessary authority to ensure compliance.
Due to case load, the cases are divided into Residential(PDF, 26MB) and Commercial(PDF, 18MB) (non-residential) boards.
Applications
Applications for a variance may be filed by the owner of property or an authorized agent, by the Planning and Development Department upon recommendation of the Zoning Commission, Plan Commission, Board of Adjustment or City Council. Application may be filed at City Hall, Lower Level, Northeast Corner or electronically to BoardofAdjustment@fortworthtexas.gov
Criteria Regulating Variance Requests
Section 3.403 of the Zoning Ordinance establishes five evaluation criteria for consideration by the Board when reviewing and deciding upon requested variances to the Zoning Ordinance. The applicant is encouraged to be prepared to respond to these criteria:
- Will literal enforcement of the ordinance result in a hardship or practical difficulty?
- Is the “hardship” self-imposed?
- Is the condition unique to the property, or is it common to other properties within the area?
- Will the requested Variance injure the adjacent property?
- Will the requested variance be contrary to orderly development in the area?
Applicant’s Responsibility
Applicants are responsible for the presentation of their case before the Board, and to provide support information to include, but not limited to the following items.
- Surrounding land use supporting the request.
- Description of the “Hardship(s)” that necessitate the request.
- Reason(s) for appearing before the Board (i.e. Code Violation, Citizen Complaint, Building Inspector noted permit violation, etc.)
- Reasons why the Board should grant the applicant’s request.
- More information concerning the process may be found in the application.
The applicant, or authorized agent, must be present at the hearing to present one’s appeal. Otherwise, the board may deny the case. The Planning & Development Department will mail a hearing notice to all property owners within 300 feet of the application site, not less than ten days prior to the date of the hearing.
Filing Fees
- Residential (Owner-Occupied) Variance $300.00*
- Non-Residential Variance $500.00*
- Residential (Owner-Occupied) Special Exception $500.00*
- Non-Residential Special Exception $1,000.00*
- Interpretations $400.00
Note: Fees are non-refundable after legal notices are mailed * Plus $150 for each additional variance within the same application.