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Board of Zoning Appeals
Secretary: Roy Benbow
900 E. Broad St., Room 108
Richmond, VA 23219
Zoning Office Open for Walk-in:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Phone Line Open:
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Board of Zoning Appeals
Current BZA Agenda - September 2026 Meeting
Please refer to the City’s legislative calendar for information on Board of Zoning Appeals meetings: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
The City of Richmond Board of Zoning Appeals, frequently referred to as the BZA, was established pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, Chapter 22, Title 15.2, of the Code of Virginia. The BZA's powers, duties, and procedures are set forth in broad terms in the City Charter, and are further detailed in the City of Richmond Zoning Ordinance. The Board of Zoning Appeals provides a means through which a property owner may seek relief from provisions of the zoning ordinance. The BZA hears and makes decisions regarding requests for variances and special exceptions, such as waivers involving setbacks, height, lot area, etc. The BZA also makes decisions regarding appeals to any decision made by the City Zoning Administrator. The BZA is not empowered to change the use of a property.
Click here to view the BZA Rules of Procedure.
For more information, contact the Board of Zoning Appeals Secretary, Roy Benbow at 804-240-2124 or E-mail.
The BZA is comprised of five citizen members and two alternates representing a cross-section of the city, appointed by the Circuit Court to serve a four-year term. Members of the BZA cannot discuss with an applicant or members of the public any case pending before it nor will Board members consider information submitted directly to them by these parties pertaining to such cases.
REGULAR MEMBERS:
Rodney M. Poole, CHAIRMAN
Current Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Original Appointment: January 1, 1993
Mary Jane Massad Hogue, VICE CHAIR
Current Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Original Appointment as Regular Member: January 1, 2014
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: January 11, 2010
Susan Sadid
Current Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
Original Appointment as Regular Member: May 13, 2021
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: January 1, 2014
Bryce Robertson
Current Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Original Appointment as Regular Member: January 4, 2023
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: May 13, 2021
Edward H. Winks, Jr.
Current Term: January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
Original Appointment as Regular Member: May 8, 2025
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: October 27, 2005
ALTERNATE MEMBERS:
Leigh V. Kelley
Current Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: October 18, 2023
Charles L. Menges
Current Term: May 8, 2025 – December 31, 2028
Original Appointment as Alternate Member: May 8, 2025
It is required to discuss any variance, special exception or appeals request with the Zoning Administration Staff prior to formally completing and submitting the Board of Zoning Appeals application.
For a variance application, a report must be filed with the application documenting compliance with the relevant provisions of Section 15.2-2309 of the Code of Virginia.
Please contact the Zoning Administration Office at 804-646-6340 or E-mail or visit Room 108 of City Hall.
BZA Meetings are held in the 5th Floor Conference Room of City Hall.
Click here for a printer-friendly version of the meeting & filing schedule.
| BZA Meeting | Filing Deadline Zoning Office |
|---|---|
| January 7, 2026 | November 14, 2025 |
| February 4, 2026 | December 19, 2025 |
| March 4, 2026 | January 16, 2026 |
| April 1, 2026 | February 13, 2026 |
| May 6, 2026 | March 13, 2026 |
| June 3, 2026 | April 17, 2026 |
| July 1, 2026 | May 15, 2026 |
| August 5, 2026 | June 12, 2026 |
| September 2, 2026 | July 17, 2026 |
| October 7, 2026 | August 14, 2026 |
| November 4, 2026 | September 18, 2026 |
| December 2, 2026 | October 16, 2026 |
| January 6, 2027 | November 13, 2026 |
| February 3, 2027 | December 18, 2026 |
BZA Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of each month and begin promptly at 1:00 PM.
$175.00 fee is required for any application involving single- or two-family dwellings.
$550.00 fee is required for any application involving all other uses.
$250.00 fee is required to appeal a decision of the Zoning Administrator.
$750.00 fee is required for any use where a zoning violation resulted from construction not in compliance with the approved plans.
