2010 Arizona Revised Statutes
Title 11 - Counties
11-816 Boards of adjustment; powers; appeals

11-816. Boards of adjustment; powers; appeals

(Eff. 10/1/11)

A. There shall be one or more boards of adjustment composed of not less than three nor more than five members each, one of which shall be appointed in and shall have jurisdiction in each supervisorial district in which the zoning ordinance has been applied. The members of each board shall be appointed for staggered terms of four years each. They shall be residents and taxpayers of the district from which they are appointed.

B. The board of adjustment may:

1. Interpret the zoning ordinance if the meaning of any word, phrase or section is in doubt, if there is dispute between the appellant and enforcing officer or if the location of a district boundary is in doubt.

2. Allow a variance from the terms of the ordinance if, owing to peculiar conditions, a strict interpretation would work an unnecessary hardship and if in granting the variance the general intent and purposes of the zoning ordinance will be preserved.

C. Appeals to a board of adjustment may be taken by any person who feels that there is error or doubt in the interpretation of the ordinance or that due to unusual circumstances attaching to the person's property an unnecessary hardship is being inflicted on the person. The appeal shall state whether it is a plea for an interpretation or a variance and the grounds for the appeal.

D. Any person aggrieved in any manner by an action of a board of adjustment may appeal within thirty days to the superior court, and the matter shall be heard de novo.