Board of Zoning Adjustment

Process & Procedures for Requesting a Variance
Appeals to the Board of Zoning Adjustment may be taken by any person aggrieved or by any officer, department, board, or bureau of the City of Donaldsonville affected by any decision of the Zoning Administrator. Such appeal shall be taken within a reasonable time, as provided by the rules of the Board, by filing with the Board of Adjustment a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. The Powers of the Board shall be:
  1. To interpret the Donaldsonville Zoning Ordinances.
  2. To hear and decide appeals where it is alleged there is an error in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the Zoning Administrator.
  3. To interpret the provisions of this Ordinance in such a way as to carry out the intent and purpose of the plan, as shown upon the map fixing the several districts accompanying and made a part of the Zoning Ordinance.
The following data is required to  request a variance or special exception of the Zoning Ordinance.
  1. A completed typewritten application;
  2. A detailed plot or site plan on LETTER OR LEGAL SIZE paper must be submitted with the request for a variance or special exception. The plot plan shall include a detailed location of all servitudes, easements and all structures on the property in such a way as to be easily interpreted by the Board of Adjustment.
If the Board of Adjustment approves the request for the variance, a HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT holding the City and the Board of Adjustment free and harmless of liability due to the granting of the variance or special exception is to be filed and recorded with the Clerk of Court. The OWNER is required to sign the HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT. A certified copy with recording data is to be furnished to the Inspection Division before the permit will be issued. The Board meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Donaldsonville City Hall, 606 Railroad Ave. Either the OWNER, CONTRACTOR OR APPLICANT must attend the meeting to present their case. Application must be made no later than twenty (20) days before the scheduled meeting. A FEE of $15.00 is paid at the time of application.