Board of Zoning Adjustment

Contacting BOZA through email should be for public comments specific to an active application item on a forthcoming agenda. For general questions and correspondences related to zoning, the variance process or BOZA, please contact Planning & Development Services via Inquire Boulder or contact the appropriate staff directly.

BOZA meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. The board will meet either in the City Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway, or hold the meeting virtually. Specific details and pertinent Information for each meeting can be found under ‘Upcoming Events.' Additionally, the BOZA application deadline is now the 2nd Monday of each month for the following month’s meeting.

Speaking at the Board of Zoning Adjustment Meeting Instructions

• Any correspondence you wish the Board to review MUST be received via email at least 48 hours prior to the beginning of the meeting. Anything received after the 48-hour window has closed will not be considered.
• Submit written comments in advance of the hearing to BOZA@bouldercolorado.gov. Please note that we currently CANNOT accept mail. Only email will be received at this time.
  
• Speak under public comment or observe the public hearing via video conference. The conference link will be at the top of the agenda on the appropriate event page.
  
• Call in to the public hearing video conference via telephone (if computer audio is not available).

Resources

• BOZA Variance Application - apply through Customer Self Service Portal
• BOZA Information and Criteria Guide
• BOZA Meeting Guidelines
• Board of Zoning Adjustments Video
• BOZA Application Form

City of Boulder
Board of Zoning Adjustment
Meeting Guidelines

Call to Order

The board must have a quorum (three members present) before the meeting can be called to order.

Agenda

An action item requires a motion and a vote. The general format for hearing of an action item is as follows:

1. Presentations

• Staff presentation (10 minutes maximum*).
• Applicant presentation (15-minute maximum*). Any exhibits introduced into the record at this time must be provided to the Board Secretary for distribution to the Board and admission into the record.
• Board questioning of staff or applicant for information only.

2. Public Hearings

Each speaker will be allowed an oral presentation (3 minutes maximum*).

• The pooling of time will not be allowed during virtual meetings.
• Speakers should introduce themselves, giving name and address. If officially representing a group, homeowners' association, etc., please state that for the record as well.
• Speakers are requested not to repeat items addressed by previous speakers other than to express points of agreement or disagreement. Refrain from reading long documents, and summarize comments wherever possible. Long documents may be submitted and will become a part of the official record. When possible, these documents should be submitted in advance so staff and the board can review them before the meeting.
• Speakers should address the Land Use Regulation criteria and, if possible, reference the rules that the board uses to decide a case.
• For in-person meetings, any exhibits introduced into the record at the hearing must be provided in quantities of seven to the Board Secretary for distribution to the board and admission into the record.
• For virtual meetings, any exhibits introduced into the record at the hearing must be emailed to the Secretary for distribution to the Board and admission into the record 48 hours prior to the meeting.
• Citizens can email correspondence to the Board and staff at BOZA@bouldercolorado.gov, up to 48 hours prior to the Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting, to be included as a part of the record.
• Applicants under Title 9, B.R.C. 1981, will be provided the opportunity to speak for up to 3 minutes prior to the close of the public hearing. The board chair may allow additional time.

3. Board Action

• Board motion. Motions may take any number of forms. With regard to a specific development proposal, the motion generally is to either approve the project (with or without conditions), to deny it, or to continue the matter to a date certain (generally in order to obtain additional information).
• Board discussion. This is undertaken entirely by members of the board. The applicant, members of the public or city staff participate only if called upon by the Chairperson.
• Board action (the vote). An affirmative vote of at least three members of the board is required to pass a motion approving any action. If the vote taken results in a tie, a vote of two to two, two to one, or one to two, the applicant shall be automatically allowed a rehearing. A tie vote on any subsequent motion to approve or deny shall result in defeat of the motion and denial of the application.

Matters From the Board, City Staff, and City Attorney

Any board member, Planning and Development Services staff, or the City Attorney may introduce before the board matters, which are not included in the formal agenda.

Virtual Meetings

For Virtual Meeting Guidelines, refer to https://bouldercolorado.gov/government/board-commission/board-zoning-ad… page for the approved Board of Zoning Adjustment Rules for Virtual Meetings.

*The Chairperson, subject to the board approval, may place a reasonable time limitation on presentations.