The Zoning Board of Appeals has the following powers:

• Hears and decides appeals when it is alleged there is error in any order requirement, decision, or determination made by any administrative official
• Hears and grants appeals for variances that are not contrary to the public interest, when, owing to special conditions, a literal enforcement will result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship, so that the spirit and purposes of this Ordinance shall be observed and the public safety, welfare, and justice secured
• Hears and decides applications for special exceptions to the parking requirements for offices set forth in Section 17.0603 (K)(3) of the Municipal Code
• Hears and decides applications for interpretations of the zoning regulations and the boundaries of the zoning districts after the Village Plan Commission has made a review and recommendation
• Hears and grants applications for substitution of more restrictive nonconforming uses for existing nonconforming uses provided no structural alterations are to be made and the Village Plan Commission has made a review and recommendation
• Hears and grants applications for temporary uses in any district provided that such uses are of a temporary nature, do not involve the erection of a substantial structure, and are compatible with the neighboring uses, and provided that the Village Plan Commission has made a review and recommendation
• Reverses, affirms, or partly modifies the requirements appealed from, and may issue or direct the issue of a permit.

Members

The Zoning Board of Appeals is a five-member body chaired by a member selected by the Village President. There is one Plan Commission member, and three citizen members with three-year staggered terms and a Village
Trustee. Interested in serving? Learn more about citizen appointments to the Board of Appeals and other Village Boards, Committees, and Commissions. 

Meetings

The Zoning Board of Appeals meets at the Civic Center, N64W23760 Main Street.

• View Agendas & Minutes

Statutory Authority

The Zoning Board of Appeals was founded in 1924 and its powers come from the Village Board under section 1.08 and 17.1200 of the Sussex Municipal Code. The Zoning Board of Appeals powers are derived from the Village Board, but it is responsible to exercise objective independent judgement on the matters before it. The Zoning Board of Appeals actions are almost always judicial procedures.

Key Documents

The Zoning Board of Appeals works with Chapter 17, the Zoning Code.