Kent County Government - Planning, Housing, and Zoning

Zoning Board of Appeals

What Does It Do?

The Board of Zoning Appeals hears and decides special exceptions, variance interpretations, and appeals of any decision or determination of the Zoning Administrator in the enforcement and administration of the Land Use Ordinance.

Who Are Its Members and When Does It  Meet?

The Board meets on Monday evenings as may be required by appeals applications. Meetings are held in the County Commissioners' Hearing Room in the County Government Center, 400 High Street, Chestertown, Maryland, and all meetings are open to the public. Its members, appointed by the County Commissioners, serve three year terms. The appointed members elect their chairman. The current Board members are:

Al Townsend

Chairman

Allen Davis

Member

Trey Hill

Member

 

Alternate

The Board is assisted by the following county staff:

Karen Ruff

Attorney

Kim Dixon

Clerk

While not technically staff to the Board of Zoning Appeals, the planning staff receives applications, posts all notices of Appeals hearings, and attends all meetings to answer any questions the Board may have concerning the application.

How Do I File an Appeal?

You must file an appeals form with the Planning Office, accompanied by a $350 filing fee made payable to the Department of Planning and Zoning. This form includes variances, special exceptions, and interpretations.   Appeals of decisions made by the Zoning Administrator have a filing fee of $250. Click to download an appeals form as a .pdf file. Neither the Board of Appeals or the Planning Office is required to make out this application. The application should be filled in by the applicant or its agent.  If the Planning Office assists you, they cannot be held responsible for its contents.  If you have any questions, contact the Clerk at (410) 778-7467.

Administrative Hearings

The Kent County Land Use Ordinance allows the Planning Director, or Planning Director's designee, to administratively review variances of the yard setback requirements that do not exceed 50% of the required yard for the applicable zoning district. In addition, the following special exceptions may also be administratively heard by the Planning Director, or Planning Director's designee: accessory storage structures, accessory structures in the front yard requirement of waterfront parcels, accessory structures in the front yard of a through or corner lot, and day care groups.

You must file an application form with the Planning Office, accompanied by a $200 filing fee made payable to the Department of Planning and Zoning. Click to download an administrative hearing form as a .pdf file. The Planning Office is not required to make out this application.   The application should be filled in by the applicant or its agent.  If the Planning Office assists you, they cannot be held responsible for its contents.  If you have any questions, contact the Clerk at (410) 778-7467.

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