What is the Board of Adjustment?

The Gaston County Board of Adjustment was established in 1992 by the Board of County Commissioners. It is made up of appointed volunteers to serve the citizens of the County in making decisions pertaining to zoning and land use ordinances. The Board of Adjustment hears and decides on:

  • Appeals from any order, decision, determination, or interpretation made by the Land Use Administrator pursuant to or regarding the regulations in the zoning ordinance
  • Requests for Variances from the requirements of the zoning regulations
  • Make interpretations to any portion of the ordinances
  • Requests for Conditional Use Permits for those uses which require such in certain zoning districts
  • Allow temporary uses in zoning districts where such uses are not normally permitted.

The Board hears and reviews each application/request during a public hearing. Their decision is made by applying specific findings of facts to the testimony and evidence presented at the public hearing. The Board of Adjustment acts in a quasi-judicial status when making these decisions. This status precludes them from political pressure and lobbying prior to hearings since ex parte communications with the Board members is prohibited. Refer to Section 4.5 and Table 4.1-1 for other information and duties of the Board of Adjustment. H_Ch4_Admin_Agencies_Funct

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1. What is the UDO and how will it affect my property?
2. How can I get a copy of this ordinance?
3. What is Planning and Zoning? What are there essential functions?
4. Who do I contact with questions regarding this ordinance?
5. Where can I find a list of terms / definitions?
6. What instances require a zoning permit?
7. What are the basic procedures for obtaining a building permit?
8. What are the procedures to subdivide my property?
9. How do I file a complaint? (building code, zoning, and minimum housing)
10. What Watershed am I in? What are those regulations?
11. Is my property in the floodplain?
12. What do I do if my property doesn't comply with the UDO regulations?
13. What will happen if I violate the UDO?
14. What is the fee schedule?
15. What is a Conditional Use Permit?
16. What is Parallel Conditional Use Zoning (PCUP)?
17. What is a text amendment?
18. How do I get a variance?
19. What is an appeal? How do I file an appeal?
20. What is a Special Exception? How do I request a Special Exception?
21. Are there deadlines for submitting requests?
22. What is the process of constructing a residential structure on a piece of property?
23. What are the required setbacks? (residential, commercial, industrial)
24. Can I start a business in / at my home?
25. How do I establish a particular use?
26. What is the Urban Standards Overlay (USO) District?
27. What is the purpose of landscaping regulations?
28. What are signage regulations for?
29. What are parking requirements for?
30. What is the meaning and purpose of "Open Space"?
31. What are the subdivision standards?
32. What is the Planning Board?
33. What is the role of the Board of Commissioners?
34. What is the Board of Adjustment?