Board of Adjustment

Regular Meetings

• Meetings scheduled as necessary
• 6 p.m.
• City Council Chambers
  826 N Main Street
  Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Agendas & Minutes

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

About the Board

The Board of Adjustment is comprised of seven residents of the City of Cottonwood appointed by the City Council for staggered three year terms. The Board acts in a quasi-judicial capacity by holding public meetings and considering evidence regarding requests for variances and appeals of decisions made by the Zoning Administrator, including interpretations of the Zoning Ordinance.

Variances

Variances may only be granted where it is shown that there are special circumstances applicable to the property, including its size, shape, topography, location or surroundings, so that the strict application of the Zoning Ordinance would deprive such property of privileges enjoyed by other property of the same classification in the same zoning district. Variances cannot be granted due to a self-imposed hardship or because of personal or financial reasons. Any variance granted is subject to such conditions as will assure that the adjustment authorized shall not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity with the same zoning.

Duties

1. It shall be the duty of the Board of Adjustment to:
a. Hear and decide appeals in which it is alleged there is an error in an order, requirement or decision made by the Zoning Administrator in the enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance and to reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or modify the order, requirement, or decision of the Zoning Administrator appealed from and make such order, requirement, decision or determination as necessary.
b. Hear and decide appeals for variances from the terms of the Zoning Ordinance only if, because of special circumstances, applicable to the property, including its size, shape, topography, location or surroundings the strict application of the Zoning Ordinance will deprive such property of privileges enjoyed by other property of the same classification in the same zoning district. Any variance granted is subject to such conditions as will assure that the adjustment authorized shall not constitute a grant of special privileges inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity and zoning in which such property is located.
2. The Board of Adjustment may not:
a. Make any changes in the uses permitted in any zoning classification or zoning district, or make any changes in the terms of the Zoning Ordinance provided the restrictions in this paragraph shall not affect the authority to grant variances pursuant to this article.
b. Grant a variance if the special circumstances applicable to the property are self-imposed by the property owner.