Board of Zoning Appeals
Secretary: Roy Benbow
900 E. Broad St., Room 108
Richmond, VA 23219
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Board of Zoning Appeals
Current BZA Agenda - May 2025 Meeting
Please refer to the City’s legislative calendar for information on Board of Zoning Appeals meetings: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
The City of Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals, frequently referred to as the BZA, was established pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, Chapter 22, Title 15.2, of the Code of Virginia. The BZA's powers, duties, and procedures are set forth in broad terms in the City Charter, and are further detailed in the City of Richmond Zoning Ordinance. The Board of Zoning Appeals provides a means through which a property owner may seek relief from provisions of the zoning ordinance. The BZA hears and makes decisions regarding requests for variances and special exceptions, such as waivers involving setbacks, height, lot area, etc. The BZA also makes decisions regarding appeals to any decision made by the City Zoning Administrator. The BZA is not empowered to change the use of a property.
Click here to view the BZA Rules of Procedure.
For more information, contact the Board of Zoning Appeals Secretary, Roy Benbow at 804-240-2124 or E-mail.
The BZA is comprised of five citizen members and two alternates representing a cross-section of the city, appointed by the Circuit Court to serve a four-year term. Members of the BZA cannot discuss with an applicant or members of the public any case pending before it nor will Board members consider information submitted directly to them by these parties pertaining to such cases.
REGULAR MEMBERS:
Rodney M. Poole, CHAIRMAN
Current Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Original Appointment: January 1, 1993
Roger H. York, Jr., VICE-CHAIRMAN
Current Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
Original Appointment: February 5, 2007
Mary Jane Massad Hogue
Current Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Original Appointment as Regular Member: January 1, 2014
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: January 11, 2010
Susan Sadid
Current Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
Original Appointment as Regular Member: May 13, 2021
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: January 1, 2014
Bryce Robertson
Current Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Original Appointment as Regular Member: January 4, 2023
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: May 13, 2021
ALTERNATE MEMBER:
Edward H. Winks, Jr.
Current Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: October 27, 2005
Leigh V. Kelley
Current Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: October 18, 2023
It is required to discuss any variance, special exception or appeals request with the Zoning Administration Staff prior to formally completing and submitting the Board of Zoning Appeals application.
For a variance application, a report must be filed with the application documenting compliance with the relevant provisions of Section 15.2-2309 of the Code of Virginia.
Please contact the Zoning Administration Office at 804-646-6340 or E-mail or visit Room 108 of City Hall.
BZA Meetings are held in the 5th Floor Conference Room of City Hall.
Click here for a printer-friendly version of the meeting & filing schedule.
| BZA Meeting | Filing Deadline Zoning Office |
|---|---|
| January 8, 2025* | November 15, 2024 |
| February 5, 2025 | December 13, 2024 |
| March 5, 2025 | January 17, 2025 |
| April 2, 2025 | February 14, 2025 |
| May 7, 2025 | March 14, 2025 |
| June 4, 2025 | April 18, 2025 |
| July 2, 2025 | May 16, 2025 |
| August 6, 2025 | June 13, 2025 |
| September 3, 2025 | July 18, 2025 |
| October 1, 2025 | August 15, 2025 |
| November 5, 2025 | September 12, 2025 |
| December 3, 2025 | October 17, 2025 |
| January 7, 2026 | November 14, 2025 |
| February 4, 2026 | December 19, 2025 |
BZA Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of each month* and begin promptly at 1:00 PM.
* = Except as revised by the Board of Zoning Appeals due to a conflict with a City holiday.
$175.00 fee is required for any application involving single- or two-family dwellings.
$550.00 fee is required for any application involving all other uses.
$250.00 fee is required to appeal a decision of the Zoning Administrator.
$750.00 fee is required for any use where a zoning violation resulted from construction not in compliance with the approved plans.
