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Zoning Board of Adjustment, Winston-Salem

Purpose

The Winston-Salem Zoning Board of Adjustment is governed by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County zoning ordinance known as the Unified Development Ordinance (“UDO”) and by state statutes. The Board has three main functions: 1) consideration of applications for special use permits; 2) consideration of applications for variances; and 3) rendering decisions on appeals of interpretations of the UDO and appeals of the decisions of the Historic Resources Commission and County Housing Administrator. The majority of the Special Use Permit applications are to place manufactured homes in residential zoning districts. Variances are requests for exceptions to the zoning ordinance, such as placing a building closer to the street than the required front yard setback.
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This Board is quasi-judicial and conducts public hearings with sworn testimony. The Board makes findings of fact and applies the relevant local and state law when granting or denying applications. Appeals from this Board's decisions are heard by the Superior Court.

Members and Non-Voting Staff Person(s)

The Winston-Salem Zoning Board of Adjustment is composed of five (5) regular and two (2) alternate members appointed by the Mayor and City Council. In addition, one (1) regular and one (1) alternate member are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, upon recommendation of the City Council, from residents located outside of, but within one mile of, the City limits, said members to have the same powers, duties and responsibilities as all other members. Members serve 3-year terms.

Currently Serving

Meetings

Board meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 2:00 P.M. in the Public Meeting Room at the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building, 100 E. First Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Other Information

Applications to appear before the Board may be made in the City/County Inspections Division office located in suite 328 of the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building. Applications must be made 20 days before a meeting.
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For more information, please call the City/County Inspections Division at 727-2728.