WETHERSFIELD VARIANCE APPLICATION
*Effective 2/13/15
Town of Wethersfield
505 Silas Deane Highway
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Phone (860)721-2835
www.townofwethersfieldct.com
DEFINITION OF A VARIANCE:
A variance is the process by which an applicant can request deviation from the set of rules a municipality applies land use
and land development.
DEMONSTRATION OF HARDSHIP:
The following Wethersfield Zoning Regulations is meant to assist you in the preparation of your variance application.
Section 10.4 – Variances: No variance of the strict application of any provision of these regulations shall be granted by
the Board unless it finds all of the following:
1. That there are special circumstances or conditions applying to the land or building for which the variance is
sought which:
a. Are peculiar to such land or building and do not apply generally to land or buildings in the neighborhood or in
the zoning district at large,
b. Have not resulted from any act, of the applicant or anyone in privity with the applicant, subsequent to the
adoption of these Regulations whether in violation of these provisions or not,
c. Are not temporary in nature, and
d. Preclude the use of the property for that which it is reasonably adapted.
2. That the aforesaid circumstances or conditions are such that the literal enforcement or strict application of the
provisions of the Regulations would:
a. Result in exceptional difficulty
b. Result in unusual hardship
c. Deprive the applicant of rights commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district, or
d. Deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of the land
3. That the difficulty or hardship complained of:
a. Is caused by the restrictions contained in the Regulations,
b. Was not created by the applicant or any predecessor in title, and
c. Is not primarily financial in nature
4. That the use applied for is not impliedly or expressly prohibited by the Zoning Regulation.
5. That these circumstances justify the granting of the variance
6. That the granting of the variance:
a. Is necessary for the reasonable use of the land or buildings,
b. Is the minimum variance that will accomplish this purpose,
c. Will not confer upon the applicant any special privilege or use that is denied by these Regulations to other
lands, structures, or buildings in the same district,
d. Will be in harmony with the purposes and intent of these Regulations