Board of Adjustments

Board of Adjustments Overview

The Rome/Floyd County Board of Appeals and Adjustments shall have the duty and responsibility to conduct a public hearing and to make a final decision in accordance with the procedures and provisions of this Development Code on each application for an appeal from an administrative decision, a special exception, a hardship variance, a flood protection variance, or an interpretation. 

Each Board of Adjustments shall also have such other powers, duties, or responsibilities as assigned to it by the Governing Body.

In exercising its powers regarding an appeal of an administrative decision, the Board of Adjustments may, in conformity with the provisions of this Development Code, reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the order requirements, decisions, or determination of the administrative official, and to that end shall have the power to direct issuance of a permit.

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Adopted Codes

Unified Land Development Code

2040 Comprehensive Plan

Applications are due by 5:00 pm on the 25th day of each calendar month. Requests submitted by the current deadline will be considered no sooner than two months after that deadline. (ex. if the application is to be heard in March, then the application should be submitted no later than January 25). See the 2026 Commission Meeting Chart for all application deadlines and their corresponding meetings.

Please call 706-236-5025 to schedule an appointment to discuss your property/project/request with one of our Planning Staff. If you have a variance request, please fill out the Board of Adjustment's application.*

*See the fee schedule for all application submission fees.

*Late applications will not be accepted - Applications submitted after the deadline will be placed on the following scheduled meeting*

Meetings

Board of Adjustment Committee Meetings are the Third Thursday of every month at 2:30 PM.* They are held in the Upstairs Commission Chambers of City Hall, at 601 Broad Street.* 

All meetings are open to the public and will include a public hearing portion in which anyone can speak in favor of or opposition to a request. Any neighbors of parcels in question will be notified in advance.

* unless otherwise noted

Types of Appeals

All requests for relief shall be taken as an appeal to the Board of Adjustment. Persons may appeal to the Board of Adjustment for relief under the following circumstances:

  • When aggrieved by an action or an interpretation of an administrative official made under this Development Code.
  • When an exception is desired for a particular property from a certain requirement of this Development Code, as specified in this Section.
  • When compliance with the requirements of this Development Code would create a particular and unique hardship.
  • When the requirements for flood protection affect a historic structure. 

Special exceptions shall be limited to relief from the following requirements of this Development Code:

  • Minimum building setbacks.
  •  Maximum building height.
  • Minimum lot width.
  • Public street frontage.
  • Buffers and screening.
  • Signage, in accordance with a uniform sign plan.
  • Parking requirements.

Standards for Approval: 

  • A special exception may be granted upon a finding that the relief, if granted, would not cause substantial detriment to the public good or impair the purpose and intent of the Development Code.
  • If denied, an application for a special exception affecting the same property shall not be reconsidered for a period of 12 months from the date of denial; provided, however, that the Board of Adjustment may reduce the waiting period under extenuating circumstances or on its own motion. 
  • In no case shall a special exception be granted from the conditions of approval imposed on a property through a zoning change granted by the Governing Body.

Standards for approval: A hardship variance may be granted in whole or in part, or with conditions, in such individual case of unnecessary hardship upon a finding by the Board of Adjustment that: 

  1. There are extraordinary and exceptional conditions pertaining to the particular piece of property in question because of its size, shape, or topography; or, 
  2. The application of the Development Code to this particular property would create an unnecessary hardship; or, 
  3. There are conditions that are peculiar to the property which adversely affect its reasonable use or usability as currently zoned.
  4. In no case shall a hardship variance be granted for any of the following: 
    • A condition created by the applicant, including the result of an unwise investment decision or real estate transaction. 
    • A change in the conditions of approval imposed through a zoning change granted by the Governing Body. 
    • Reduction of a minimum lot size required by a zoning district. 
    • A use of land or building or structures that is not permitted by the zoning district that is applicable to the property. 
    • Any increase in the number of dwelling units or nonresidential building floor area otherwise permitted by the zoning district that is applicable to the property.

If denied, an application for a hardship variance or special exception affecting the same property shall not be considered for a period of 12 months from the date of denial; provided, however, that the Board of Adjustment may reduce the waiting period under extenuating circumstances or on its own motion. A decision of the Board of Adjustment shall be final unless the aggrieved party requests an appeal before and/or adjudication by the City or County Attorney to resolve appeals, prior to going to court. Only a court of the competent authority may hear such appeals.


*See Article 2.11 of the ULDC for more information regarding BOA Appeals*