Zoning Board of Appeals

State of Emergency and Local Emergency Order Update:

In accordance with Executive Order No. 202.1 and the Mayor’s Local Emergency Order, hearings will take place as virtual hearings until further notice. No in-person attendance shall be permitted.

How to OBSERVE an upcoming hearing:

Watch live on YouTube at the following address: https://www.youtube.com/CityOfRochesterNY. The hearing will be recorded and transcribed.

How to COMMENT on a current case:

1) Submit written comment by email, mail, or deliver it to City Hall.
Email: zoningboard@cityofrochester.gov
Mail: Zoning Office c/o Zoning Board, 30 Church St. Rm. 125B, Rochester, NY 14614
Delivery: drop box at Fitzhugh Street entrance of City Hall.

Your written comment must include the project address you are commenting on, your first and last name, address, and contact information. A Zoning staff member will read your comments into the record during the virtual hearing.  The deadline to submit written comment is 5:00 PM; Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

2) Provide oral testimony (public comment) at the virtual public hearing. >>>CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Comments may not exceed 3 minutes in length or 10 minutes for neighborhood associations. The deadline to register to provide spoken comment is 12:00 PM; Thursday, May 13, 2021.   

About the Zoning Board

Boards and commissions afford citizens the opportunity to participate in governance and decision making at all levels of government. This seven member citizen board hears requests for Variances to the City’s Zoning Code, and Administrative Appeals of decisions made by the Manager of Zoning.

The Zoning Board’s authority and procedures are established by law in Sections 120-186 and 120-195 of the City's Zoning Code. Applications must be reviewed in accordance with specific standards in the City Code, and a Decision and written findings are made for each application.

Beginning in January 2020, Public Hearings will be held in City Council Chambers, Room 302A, City Hall at 6:00 PM, and staff support is provided by the Division of Zoning. See below for specific schedule times, application deadlines, agendas, and hearing information.

For information, an appointment, application forms, or to request sign language interpreter service at the hearing, please contact Matthew Simonis at (585) 428-6637 or zoningboard@cityofrochester.gov.  

Applications must be complete to be accepted, and instructions and fees are specified on each application form.  Please note that all applications must be submitted by appointment only, or by other specific arrangement.

Zoning Board Membership

Zoning Board members are selected by the Mayor, are confirmed by City Council, and serve without pay or compensation. Board members must be City residents and serve for a term of 2 years, and may serve without limit to the number of terms. The Board must contain at least one member residing in each City Council district.

If you are interested in applying for a position on the Board, please contact Josanne Reaves in the Mayor’s Office at (585) 428-6140 or email Josanne.Reaves@cityofrochester.gov. 

Current Board Members 

Staff:

Matthew Simonis, Staff to the Zoning Board

Jill Wiedrick, Zoning Board Secretary

Johanna Brennan, Legal Counsel to the Zoning Board

Public Hearing Schedule

Current Month Cases Previous Cases  Held Cases

Please click on each point for more case information. For mobile devices or to view larger, try full screen view.

Prior Years Agendas and Grids

 Contact

Matthew Simonis
zoningboard@cityofrochester.gov
(585) 428-6637

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