BY-LAWS

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP

The Board of Zoning Appeals (“BZA”) shall consist of seven (7) members appointed in
accordance with Sec. 15.2-2308 of the Code of Virginia (as amended).

ARTICLE II. OFFICERS

1. The BZA shall elect a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, and appoint a Clerk annually,
at its first meeting each calendar year.

2. In the event any officer’s position becomes vacant at any time during the year, an
election shall be held at the earliest opportunity to fill the vacancy.

3. The Chair shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the BZA. The Chair shall
decide all points of order and procedure and shall appoint any committees and
committee chairs that may be found necessary. The Chair and the Clerk shall have
the authority to administer oaths.

4. The Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair in the Chair’s absence. In the
absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, the Secretary shall assume the duties of the
Chair. In the absence of the Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary, an acting Chair shall
be selected by the members present to preside over the meeting.

5. The Clerk may be appointed by the BZA in accordance with Sec. 15.2-2308(D) of
the Code of Virginia (as amended). A Deputy or substitute Clerk may serve in the
absence of the Clerk.

The Clerk or the staff of the Department of Planning and Zoning shall:

a. prepare official correspondence at the direction of the BZA;

b. send out notices required by these By-laws, the Fairfax County Zoning
Ordinance, and the Code of Virginia;

c. keep the minutes and records of the BZA’s proceedings;

d. keep a file on each case which comes before the BZA;

e. send copies of appeals and applications to the Planning Commission as required

by the Zoning Ordinance;

f. maintain other BZA records;

g. in response to Writs of Certiorari served upon the BZA, prepare and file with the
court, in a timely fashion, certified copies of the record of any BZA decision that
has been appealed; and
BY-LAWS Page 2 of 8
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

h. prepare and file the Annual Report of the BZA with the Board of Supervisors.

6. The Secretary shall notify the Circuit Court of any vacancies on the BZA, and shall
perform duties as assigned by the Board.

ARTICLE III. MEETINGS, QUORUM AND VOTING

1. The regular meetings of the BZA shall be held on Wednesdays as needed each
month. Each regular meeting shall begin at 9:00 a.m.

2. Special meetings may be called by the Chair provided at least five (5) days notice of
such meeting is given to each member electronically or in writing.

3. All meetings shall be open to the public unless a closed meeting is held pursuant to
the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Sec. 2.2-3700, et seq., Code of Virginia (as
amended).

4. Quorum.

a. A quorum shall be necessary to transact any BZA business or for the BZA to hold
a meeting.

b. A quorum shall consist of four (4) members (i.e., a majority) of the BZA.

5. Voting.

a. The concurring vote of four (4) members (i.e., a simple majority of the
membership) shall be required to:
(i) grant variances and special permits;
(ii) reverse decisions or determinations of the Zoning Administrator (i.e.,
appeals);
(iii) act contrary to recommendations made by the Planning Commission that an
application for a special permit be denied or that specified conditions be
prescribed in connection with a particular special permit or variance,
pursuant to Sec. 19-206, Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance (“Zoning
Ordinance”);
(iv) amend district maps;
(v) revoke special permits;
(vi) grant a rehearing; and,
(vii) amend these By-Laws.

b. The concurring vote of a majority of all members present and voting, or such
other greater number as may be required by the Code of Virginia or the Zoning
Ordinance, shall be required to effect all other actions of the Board.

c. Disclosure by a BZA member.

BY-LAWS Page 3 of 8
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

(i) A member shall make a disclosure of the member’s interest in a specific

matter before the BZA when required by law.

(ii) Any disclosure shall be announced and made a part of the record of the
BZA prior to the case being heard or as soon as the basis for disclosure is
discovered.

d. Disqualification of a BZA member.

(i) A member shall be disqualified to act on a specific matter before the BZA
when required by law. The reason for disqualification shall be made a part
of the record of the BZA.

(ii) A member may be disqualified under any circumstance, which in the opinion
of the individual member, would create an appearance of impropriety or
unfairness. The decision to be disqualified shall be entered into the record
of the BZA, but a member need not disclose the reasons for the
disqualification.

(iii) Any disqualification shall be announced and made a part of the record of the
BZA prior to the case being heard or as soon as the basis for
disqualification is discovered.

6. The order of business at all regular meetings of the BZA shall be as follows:

a. Call to order.

b. Business of members of the BZA.

c. Review of BZA Procedure.

d. Public hearing of scheduled, continued, and deferred for decision items.

e. After Agenda items, including action items (i.e., extensions of time, approval of
minutes of previous meetings as received, and changes of permittee).

f. Unscheduled items.

g. Adjournment.

7. The BZA may adjourn a regular meeting if all applications or other matters
scheduled for hearing cannot be disposed of on the day set. Adjournment shall be
mandatory six (6) hours after the start of the regular meeting, unless waived by the
BZA; and no later than ten (10) hours after the start of the meeting.
BY-LAWS Page 4 of 8
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

ARTICLE IV. DUTIES

It shall be the duty of the BZA, in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 15.2-2309 of
the Code of Virginia (as amended), to hear and decide cases involving the following:

1. Variances in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and Code of
Virginia.

2. Special permits in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and Code
of Virginia.

3. Appeals from a decision of the Zoning Administrator, or other administrative officer,

in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance and Code of Virginia.

4. Applications for the interpretations of the district map where there is any uncertainty
as to the location of the district boundary.

5. Revocations of special permits.

ARTICLE V. APPLICATIONS TO THE BZA

1. All applications to the BZA for appeals, variances, and special permits shall be made
on forms supplied by the Department of Planning and Zoning. All other applications
or requests, for which there is no required form, shall be made in writing.

2. All applications shall include all of the information required by the Zoning Ordinance
before being scheduled for public hearing.

ARTICLE VI. PROCESSING OF APPLICATION

1. All applications shall be filed with the Department of Planning and Zoning. The
processing and scheduling of applications shall comply with the requirements of the
Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance and the Code of Virginia.

2. The Clerk of the BZA shall notify the applicants in writing of the date, time and place
of the scheduled public hearing.

3. The Clerk shall, in accordance with the Code of Virginia and the Zoning Ordinance,
cause to be advertised by publication, in a newspaper of general circulation in the
area of the application, the required legal notice of the application.

4. The applicant shall be responsible for fulfilling all applicable notice requirements to
abutting and other property owners. This notice shall be by registered or certified
mail, with return receipts by the recipients.

5. The staff of the Department of Planning and Zoning shall prepare and distribute a
staff report and any pertinent information to the BZA and the applicant, and the
BY-LAWS Page 5 of 8
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

appellant and other person aggrieved under Sec.15.2-2314 of the Code of Virginia
before the scheduled public hearing in accordance with Sec. 15.2-2308.1 of the
Code of Virginia (as amended), when applicable.

6. The BZA, staff, and applicants shall comply with the provisions of Sec. 15.2-2308.1
of the Code of Virginia (as amended) with respect to certain ex parte
communications, when applicable.

ARTICLE VII. THE HEARING

1. The Chair announces the public hearing and the subject matter:

a. The Chair may, in its discretion, remind all parties present that the Code of
Virginia requires a concurring vote of four (4) members of the BZA to approve a
variance, to approve or revoke a special permit, and, in an appeal, to reverse the
determination of the Zoning Administrator or other officer.

b. No cross-examination or questions of speakers testifying shall be permitted,

except by members of the BZA, without permission of the Chair.

c. The Chair or the Clerk shall swear in all staff members and speakers wishing to
testify.

2. The Chair calls on the staff members of the Department of Planning and Zoning to
identify the property, describe the application and background of the case, and
present staff’s position, if applicable. The staff’s presentation shall be limited to ten
(10) minutes.

3. BZA members may pose questions to staff members.

4. Chair calls on the applicant or appellant and/or their authorized agent or attorney to
present the applicant’s or appellant’s position. This presentation shall be limited to
ten (10) minutes.

5. BZA members may pose questions to the applicant or appellant and/or their
authorized agent or attorney.

6. The Chair calls for testimony from any person present, including any party aggrieved
under Section 15.2-2314 of the Code of Virginia (as amended), emphasizing that
testimony should be relevant and limited to the precise issue that is the subject of
the hearing. This testimony shall be limited to three (3) minutes for individuals and
five (5) minutes for representatives of groups, e.g., civic, condominium and
homeowners associations. Each individual, organization or group shall be limited to
one (1) presentation unless the Chair determines otherwise.

7. The Chair calls on the staff of the Department of Planning and Zoning to offer
rebuttal or additional remarks, if desired.
BY-LAWS Page 6 of 8
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

8. The Chair calls on the applicant or appellant and/or their authorized agent or
attorney to offer rebuttal or additional remarks, if desired.

9. BZA members may pose final questions to applicant, appellant and/or their
authorized agent or attorney or the staff member.

10. The Chairperson shall conduct the hearing in a fair and orderly manner. The time
periods set forth herein may be modified at the discretion of the BZA provided the
BZA shall offer an equal amount of time in a hearing on the case to the applicant,
appellant, or other person aggrieved under Sec. 15.2-2314 of the Code of Virginia
(as amended) and the staff. Questions by the BZA will not count against a speaker’s
time.

11. The Chair closes the public hearing.

12. The BZA may discuss the matter and take action. Decisions, action to be taken, and
orders of the BZA shall be taken in the form of a motion or resolution. The form and
scope of the BZA decision shall be in accordance with Sec. 15.2-2309 of the Code
of Virginia (as amended).

13. A decision of the BZA shall be considered a “final decision” for purposes of appeal
when the BZA has made a decision that: (1) resolves the merits of the application
before the BZA, or (2) effects a dismissal of the case with prejudice. The thirty (30)
day appeal period to the Circuit Court shall commence upon the final decision of the
BZA.

The final decision of the BZA shall be promptly filed with the Clerk and become a
part of the BZA’s public record. The Clerk shall promptly prepare and provide to the
applicant or appellant the BZA’s final decision on the application.

14. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with these By-Laws, the Fairfax
County Zoning Ordinance, the Code of Virginia, and Robert’s Rules of Order Newly
Revised, 11th Edition, as amended, to the extent that Robert’s is not inconsistent.

ARTICLE VIII. REQUEST FOR REHEARING AND RECONSIDERATION

1. A party may request a rehearing by filing said request in writing with the Clerk within
seven (7) days of the decision sought to be reheard and reconsidered. A decision
will not be reheard and reconsidered at the original meeting where it was made.

2. The request must establish one or more of the following:

a. The BZA overlooked or misunderstood a material fact or legal issue which would
change the decision sought to be reheard.

b. The existence of new and material evidence, which:

BY-LAWS Page 7 of 8
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

(i) was not previously available;

(ii) could not have been reasonably discovered previously after diligent
investigation; and,

(iii) could change the decision sought to be reheard.

3. A request for rehearing and reconsideration will be considered by the BZA at its next
regularly scheduled meeting.

4. A motion to reconsider must be made by at least one (1) member who voted in favor
of the decision to be reheard.

5. If a decision is made granting a request for rehearing, the BZA will:

a. set a date for rehearing; and,

b. notice will be given by the applicants or by the staff of the Department of

Planning and Zoning as required by law and by these By-Laws.

6. A rehearing shall proceed in the same manner as a regular BZA hearing.

7. A request for rehearing and reconsideration alone will not change the deadlines for
appeal under the Code of Virginia and Zoning Ordinance.

ARTICLE IX. RECORDS

1. A file containing all relevant material and decisions, including any final decision,
relating to each case shall be kept by the Department of Planning and Zoning staff
as part of the records of the BZA.

2. All records of the BZA shall be public records, unless they are exempted from
disclosure under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, Sec. 2.2-3700, et seq., of
the Code of Virginia (as amended).

ARTICLE X. SEVERABILITY

If any word, clause, sentence, article, section, subsection or other part or parts of these
By-Laws shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or
otherwise invalid, such unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect any of the
remaining parts of these By-Laws, nor shall it affect any application of these By-Laws
that may be given effect without the unconstitutional or invalid parts, and to this end, all
provisions of these By-Laws are hereby declared to be severable.
BY-LAWS Page 8 of 8
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA

ARTICLE XI. ADOPTION

These By-Laws have been adopted by the unanimous vote of the Board of Zoning
Appeals, all members thereof being present, on the 24th day of June 1969.

Revised: 3-10-70 (Signed) Daniel Smith, Chairperson

(Signed) Betty Haines, Clerk

Revised: 8-1-75 (Signed) Daniel Smith, Chairperson

(Signed) Jane Kelsey, Clerk

Revised: 9-23-80 (Signed) Daniel Smith, Chairperson

(Signed) Sandra L. Hicks, Clerk

Revised: 5-18-82 (Signed) Daniel Smith, Chairperson

(Signed) Sandra L. Hicks, Clerk

Revised: 1-25-83 (Signed) Daniel Smith, Chairperson

(Signed) Sandra L. Hicks, Clerk

Revised: 11-6-86 (Signed) Daniel Smith, Chairperson

(Signed) Betsy S. Hurtt, Clerk

Revised: 1-10-91 (Signed) Daniel Smith, Chairperson

(Signed) Betsy S. Hurtt, Clerk

Revised: 1-26-93 (Signed) Daniel Smith, Chairperson

(Signed) Betsy S. Hurtt, Clerk

Revised: 6-27-06 (Signed) John P. DiGiulian, Chairperson

(Signed) Kathleen A. Knoth, Clerk

Revised: 5-1-07 (Signed) John F. Ribble III, Chairperson

(Signed) Kathleen A. Knoth, Clerk

Revised: 11-17-10 (Signed) John F. Ribble III, Chairperson

(Signed) Kathleen A. Knoth, Clerk

Revised: June 29, 2016

________________________________ ________________________________
Lorraine A. Giovinazzo, Clerk John F. Ribble III, Chair
Board of Zoning Appeals Board of Zoning Appeals