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Board of Zoning Appeals (BOZA)

The Board of Zoning Appeals for variances and special permits has the power to make special exceptions to the zoning regulations in the following areas: Appeals from property owners on decisions or action by an administrative official in the enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance (setbacks, landscape, parking and building height), Interpretation of Zoning Maps; Review Conditional and other Special Permits; Hear requests for variances and Special Event Permits for signs located within the City limits.

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Requirements

What Are The Requirements?

The Board of Zoning Appeals will accept requests under the old zoning code until May 8th, 2025 to be heard at the June 4th, 2025 meeting. After May 8th, 2025, all requests will be heard under the new zoning code.

When applying for a variance request, a detailed site plan is required. Any other documentation needed will be requested by Zoning Staff depending on the variance request. A Special Permit request will require a specific checklist to be submitted as well.

For a sign variance request application, a detailed site plan and sign rendering will be required.

BOZA Meetings

The next BOZA Meeting will be held at 10 a.m. in the Development Resource Center (DRC), Conference Room 1A, at 1250 Market Street in downtown Chattanooga. Parking is behind the building and accessible by King Street.

  • Next meeting: February 5th, 2025

The next application deadline is February 6th at 4pm and those submissions will be presented at the March 5th, 2025 BOZA Meeting. 

Meeting Dates: Meetings will be held the first Wednesday of the month. Meeting dates and times may change and will be advertised accordingly.

Meeting Community Comments: Send all emailed community comments to ldozoning@chattanooga.gov at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Any comments received less than 24 hours to the meeting, may not be able to be placed into the presentation and incorporated into the meeting. 

How Do I Renew?

There is no renewal for this.

How Do I Apply?

1

Go to Open Gov Portal.

2

Click on "Apply Online".

3

Log In using your credentials.

If you don't have an account, sign up. It's free.

4

Follow the instructions on Open Gov Portal.

5

What Is The Cost?

Due date when the application is marked complete by the intake review

ItemFee
Application fee for BOZA$150

Process Details

Status Updates

All communication and updates will happen within the OpenGov portal where the application was submitted.

Processing Time

Once the application is submitted, Staff will review at intake for any potential additional documentation that would be required. After intake has been approved, the application will be ready for payment. Once payment has been received, a senior Staff member will begin the Application Review. During the application review, there will be public notification requirements that must be met. A public notification sign will have to be posted at the property 15 days before the scheduled meeting. A newspaper ad will be posted as well as public notification letters that will go out 7 days before the meeting. The day of the meeting, applicants must be present to present their case to the Board or the case will be either denied or a one-time courtesy deferral of one month will be voted on. After your case is heard, you are able to leave or stay and hear the rest of the meeting. 

The Order of Business for each case is as follows:

  1. Staff Presentation
  2. Applicant Presentation
  3. Board Questions/Discussion for Applicant
  4. Community Comments/Discussions
  5. Applicant Response
  6. Further Board Discussion
  7. Board Motion and Vote

Contact Us

Admin StaffShelby OgleContact
(423) 643-5891 (423) 643-5891
Senior StaffLevi WittContact
(423) 643-5842 (423) 643-5842