Zoning Committee

ZONING PROCESS

Permitting​

When is a building permit required?
By Atlanta City Ordinance, a building permit is required to construct, erect, demolish, install, alter or repair or to commence the construction, erection, demolition, installation, alteration or repair of any building, structure, equipment, appliances or system.

Variance Process
Variances are modifications of zoning regulations, granted by the City of Atlanta’s Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) or Zoning Review Board (ZRB). The process is designed to allow citizens and neighbors to weigh in on the application for the variance in the form of supporting or not supporting a request, but the decision is ultimately made by the BZA or ZRB. For further details, click here for the BZA website and the ZRB website.

Variance Steps

Process if Applied for a Permit and Told You Need a Variance

Step-by-Step Review Process

1. City of Atlanta Planning Department
: The City sends your variance application to the NPU-N Chair, who forwards it to the RCIL Zoning Chair.

2. Applicant Coordination
: The NPU-N or RCIL Zoning Chair will contact you (or you may contact them) to confirm your attendance at the required meetings.

3. Meeting Schedule Overview: 
RCIL Zoning Committee → RCIL General Body Meeting → NPU-N → BZA or ZRB

4. RCIL Zoning Committee Meeting: 
Once your application is received, the committee will review your plans and potential impacts. Applicants are expected to notify nearby neighbors about their proposal. The Zoning Committee meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at Lang-Carson Center (see above for meeting stipulations).



   During this meeting, the committee may ask detailed questions, request clarifications or modifications, and will make a recommendation (approval, denial, or deferral) to the RCIL Board and membership.

   Neighbor Notifications:
   
NPU and neighborhood requirement of notifying the immediate neighbors within a 150 ft. radius of the applicant’s property. The applicant should provide a map showing the properties within the radius, identifying their address, and then providing a list of signatures from those residents of receiving notification and the proposed plans (application package), or the applicant may provide certified mail receipts of all packages sent to the identified residents. This proof of notification must be brought to the Zoning Committee meeting and be at least 2/3 complete with the remaining third completed and received by Zoning Chair prior to the RCIL monthly meeting for a vote to be taken.

5. RCIL General Body Meeting: 
Applications are then presented to the RCIL membership at the next scheduled community meeting (typically the Second Monday of the month).
 Members will hear the Zoning Committee’s report, ask questions, and vote on a recommendation that is forwarded to NPU-N.

6. Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU-N)
: The RCIL vote and recommendation are presented at the monthly NPU-N meeting. The NPU considers your application and votes to support or not support your request. Visit the NPU-N webpage to confirm meeting dates and agendas.

7. Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) or Zoning Review Board (ZRB): 
The NPU’s recommendation is sent to the City’s BZA or ZRB, which makes the final decision on your variance request.

Presentation Materials

If they are not already included in your application to the City, the RCIL Zoning Committee asks all applicants to send PDFs of supporting documents such as surveys, site plans, floor plans, and elevations (as applicable).

Please also note that you may be asked questions at the RCIL General Body Meeting, the NPU-N meeting, and the BZA or ZRB hearing. Many applicants choose to create supplemental presentation materials outlining their plans for clarity.
The RCIL Zoning Committee can advise on what to include and how best to present your project.

Deferrals

At any stage, an application may be deferred — typically if additional documents, revisions, or community discussions are needed.


Applicants are encouraged to communicate early and often to help keep the process on track.

Zoning FAQs

Resources:

• City of Atlanta Zoning FAQ

• City of Atlanta – Permitting Process

• City of Atlanta – City Planning