Board Membership
- Elliot John-Conry, Chair
- Debbie Andrews, Secretary
- Larry Payne
- Stephanie Kendrick
- Tammy Goodin
You can contact the Board of Zoning Appeals through the Albany Village Administrator.
Visit the Building and Zoning Department page to view the Zoning Code and Map.
about the BZA 
The BZA operates under the authority of Ohio Revised Code Section 713.11. The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is Quasi-judicial in nature with the authority to hear and decide the following:
- Request for variance from a Zoning Code requirement.
- Request for a Conditional Use Permit.
- An administrative appeal of a Zoning related finding.
The Albany Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) interprets the Albany Zoning code. The BZA can grant relief (variance) from strict zoning code application if there are practical difficulties or undue hardship. The BZA hears appeals about errors in zoning-related decisions, requirements, or orders. Appeals can include issues like interpreting zoning maps or requesting variances. The Board also hears all applications for Conditional Use Permits. Under Ohio law, any decision handed down by the BZA is final. It can only be appealed to the Athens County Court of Common Pleas.
Applications for variance, conditional use, or appeal can be found online in our permits and applications library.
Helpful Information
Use or Area Variance
After you submit a Zoning Certificate application to the Village, the Zoning Administrator might identify issues that would make your proposal non-compliant with specific sections of Village Code and therefore deny your application.
An applicant who has been denied a zoning certificate may request a variance by submitting the proper forms and fees to the Village. All variance request applications must be completed with detail before being accepted by the BZA for their consideration at a public hearing.
Conditional Use Permit
Conditional uses are uses of land specifically permitted within a zoning district but only with the approval of the Board of Zoning Appeals, following a review of the use and its potential impact on its surroundings and a review of additional conditions which may mitigate those impacts.
Adminstrative Appeal
Any appeal requesting relief from an alleged hardship or where it is alleged by the appellant that there is error in any order, requirement, decision, grant, or refusal, including denial of a Zoning Certificate or CU permit, made by the Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission, or other administrative official in the interpretation of the provisions of the Zoning Code.
Those who may appeal to the BZA for relief shall include any applicant seeking relief under the zoning code or any property owner of land adjacent to property granted some relief under the zoning code by the Zoning Administrator, or any property owner directly or substantially affected or damaged by a decision of the Zoning Administrator, or the Mayor, may file an appeal.
Be advised that the Board of Zoning Appeals may be limited in their authority, if any, to grant any variance from the Zoning Code.
Useful Links
