What is a Variance?
A variance is a request for a reasonable deviation from a provision of the Town’s Zoning Ordinance when strict application of
the ordinance would result in unnecessary or unreasonable hardship to the property owner. A variance may not allow a use in a
district not authorized by district regulations. A granted variance runs with the property.
Variance Standard:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, a variance shall be granted if the evidence shows that the strict
application of the terms of the ordinance would unreasonably restrict the utilization of the property or that the granting of the
variance would alleviate a hardship due to a physical condition relating to the property or improvements thereon at the time of the
effective date of the ordinance, and
a. The property interest for which the variance is being requested was acquired in good faith and any hardship was not
created by the applicant for the variance;
b. The granting of the variance will not be of substantial detriment to adjacent property and nearby properties in the proximity
of that geographical area;
c. The condition or situation of the property concerned is not of so general or recurring a nature as to make reasonably
practicable the formulation of a general regulation to be adopted as an amendment to the ordinance;
d. The granting of the variance does not result in a use that is not otherwise permitted on such property or a change in zoning
classification of the property; and
e. The relief or remedy sought by the variance application is not available through a special exception process that is
authorized in the ordinance pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2309, subdivision 6 or the process for modification of a
zoning ordinance pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 15.2-2286, subdivision A.4, at the time of the filing of the variance
application.
PRE-FILING CONSULTATION WITH THE TOWN PLANNING STAFF TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED REQUEST AND TO
OBTAIN RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED. TO SCHEDULE A PRE-FILING
CONSULTATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT 434-369-5001.
Town of Altavista 510 7th Street Altavista, VA 24517 Phone:(434)-369-5001 Fax:(434)-369-4369 www.altavistava.gov