"Zoning Board of Appeals Overview"
Length: 1.5 hours
This introductory course to the zoning board of appeals focuses on the statutory tests boards must follow to grant use and area variances and proper handling of zoning interpretations. Meeting procedures and notice requirements will also be discussed, along with the ZBA’s relationship with enforcement officials and the planning board, and the importance of making good findings.
NOTE: Online courses are not available for in-service credit for code enforcement officers, continuing legal education credit for attorneys, or certification maintenance credit for members of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Some courses will produce a certificate at the end, and others will only produce your quiz results. The quiz results page should be used as proof of your training.
Resources Provided by the Department of State:
Online Glossary » Downloadable Glossary »(pdf)
Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State » (pdf)
An essential publication for municipal officials, attorneys, and planning boards, containing the complete text of relevant laws, including statutory changes through the date indicated in the preface.
Zoning Board of Appeals » (pdf)
Legal framework for understanding the powers and duties of the Zoning Board of Appeals, including all statutory changes through the 2005 Legislative Session.
Guidelines for Applicants to the Zoning Board of Appeals » (pdf)
Rules and standards under which appeals may be taken to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and decisions made by the ZBA.
Zoning and the Comprehensive Plan » (pdf)
The legal relationship between the comprehensive plan and municipal zoning regulations.
Sample Use Variance Application » (pdf)
Sample Use Variance Findings and Decision Document » (pdf)
Sample Area Variance Application » (pdf)
Sample Area Variance Findings and Decisions » (pdf)
Case Citations » (pdf)
Committee on Open Government »
Your Right to Know »
This publication provides information about the Freedom of Information Law and the Open Meetings Law.Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Advisory Opinion Index »
Search this database for advisory opinions regarding access to government records. For example, choose “M” for “Minutes, Contents of” to learn more about the required elements for minutes of all public bodies; choose “I” to learn more about access to “Inter-Agency and Intra-Agency” communications, or parts thereof.Open Meetings Law (OML) Advisory Opinion Index »
Search this database for advisory opinions regarding public meetings. For example, choose “W” to learn more about “Worshops”; choose “M” to learn more about conducting “Minutes, Unapproved.”
Links to Other Resources:
Town of Orchard Park Alternate Member Law » (pdf)
NYS DEC State Environmental Quality Review Act Provisions »