What is a Variance?
A variance means a permitted alteration or change to a standard prescribed by the Land Use Bylaw C-1100 that is authorized by the Development Authority of the City of Grande Prairie. Variances may be granted for: • A change to the required distance from the front, rear, and side property lines to a structure or building. • A change to the size of a lot area, that is required under the applicable land use district. • A change to lot coverage (Total permitted area of buildings, structures, and accessory buildings in relation to the area of the property lot). • A change to the required width of a property lot. • A change to the permitted height of a building. • A change to required landscaping requirements • A change in parking requirements • a change to the height of a fence, wall, and/or gate Variances are reviewed on an individual case basis and can be refused by the development authority under the provisions of the Land Use Bylaw C-1100.
The theory behind state and local zoning ordinances is that uses within a particular area should be uniform. While this system generally works well, obviously there will on occasion be the need for exceptions to the general rule. Depending on the needs of the individuals involved, and the impact on the neighborhood as a whole, it may be possible to change the zoning on a particular property by obtaining a variance. A variance is permission to depart from the requirements of a zoning ordinance in one or more particulars. Generally, a variance request is granted or denied through administrative action. Variances can be divided into area variances and use variances. An area variance may be requested where the use is permissible, but does not quite fit the property. For example, if an owner wanted to add a deck to his or her home that would violate the minimum setback requirements of the zoning regulation, or wanted to build a two-story garage, which exceeded the height requirement, an are
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation contains legal requirements that must be met by all workplaces under the inspection jurisdiction of WorkSafeBC (the Workers Compensation Board of B.C.). However, it may not always be possible for a workplace party to comply with a particular regulatory requirement in certain workplaces or while conducting certain work processes. In such cases, WorkSafeBC may issue a variance to the requirement if there is an alternative way to ensure worker health and safety in these circumstances. A variance may be granted to an applicant through an order under the authority of the Workers Compensation Act (Part 3, Division 9). The order would include special terms and conditions that describe how a workplace party would be permitted to follow an alternative way to comply with the Regulation. Under what circumstances will WorkSafeBC consider issuing a variance? WorkSafeBC will consider issuing a variance if an applicants proposed alternative to a regulator
A variance is a relaxation of the rules pertaining to setbacks. It is an authorization granted by the Board of Adjustment to construct, alter or use a building or structure in a manner that deviates from the dimensional standards of the ordinance. The fee for variance requests is $350.00. After a variance application is submitted by a property owner, a public hearing is held and the property owner must prove three points in order to receive a variance. The three points are: Unnecessary Hardship – Unnecessary hardship is a situation where, in the absence of a variance, an owner can make no reasonable use of a property. Self imposed hardships and financial hardships are not grounds for a variance. The variance must be peculiar to the parcel in question. Unique Property Limitations – Unique property limitations must prevent the applicant from developing in compliance with the zoning ordinances. They may include wetlands, steep slopes and/or parcel shape. Protection of the Public Interest
A variance is a waiver from the strict interpretation of the Development and/or Subdivision Codes due to a peculiarity of the land in question which causes a hardship for the landowner. Variances from the standards of the underlying zoning designation are granted only from the minimum lot frontage, setback, area, or improvement requirements to a level which is less than that which is specifically set forth in the Development and/or Subdivision Codes. Variances related to the use of a property are not allowed.
