The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) consists of a Planning Commission representative, a City Council representative and 5 other individuals appointed by City Council.  Click here for agendas and minutes.

About the Board

The primary responsibility of the BZA is to interpret the provisions of the Fairfield zoning code and to hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement or decision of determination by an administrative officials in the enforcement of such codes.  

Appeals may include: 

• Interpretation of zoning map: Where the street or lot layout on the ground, as recorded, differs from that shown on the city’s zoning map. 
• Variances: A variation of the requirements of the zoning ordinance must meet conditions as set forth in Section 1137.08 of the zoning code.

Applications for the Board of Zoning Appeals

Individuals wishing to request a variance or appeal the zoning code must submit a Board of Zoning Appeals application. The application must be completed in its entirety, signed, and submitted by the 15th of the month preceding the BZA meeting.

The completed application, application and required submissions can be returned to: 

City of Fairfield
Building and Zoning Division
5350 Pleasant Avenue
Fairfield, OH 45014

BZA Decisions

The decision of the BZA shall not become effective until the expiration of five days from the date of the decision unless otherwise specified by the board.

No variance shall be authorized by the board unless the board finds beyond reasonable doubt that all of the following facts and conditions exist:

• That there are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances applying to the property in question or to the intended use of the property that do not apply generally to other properties or classes of uses in the same zoning district
• That such variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights possessed by other properties in the same zoning district and in the same vicinity
• That the authorizing of such variance shall not be of substantial detriment to adjacent property and shall not materially impair the purposes of the zoning ordinance or the public interest

The BZA secretary may be contacted at 513-869-8146 or mmullen@fairfield-city.org