Variances
A variance is a request to deviate from a literal requirement of the zoning, subdivision, or sign ordinances due to special circumstances of a property. It is not considered a change in municipal law, but a waiver of a certain requirement of the ordinance. If granted, it permits the owner to utilize his land in a way that is ordinarily not permitted by the ordinance.
All variance requests must be reviewed by the Board of Adjustment (BOA). An administrative official of the Town of Little Elm cannot approve a variance. It is important to note that use variances cannot be legally granted via a variance, as that is considered to be rezoning and is governed by a different process. Additionally, self-imposed hardships and economically related hardships are insufficient findings to grant a variance. This chart is used to assist the Board of Adjustments in its decision making concerning variance requests.
The following attachments must be included with the Board of Adjustment application:
All variance requests must be reviewed by the Board of Adjustment (BOA). An administrative official of the Town of Little Elm cannot approve a variance. It is important to note that use variances cannot be legally granted via a variance, as that is considered to be rezoning and is governed by a different process. Additionally, self-imposed hardships and economically related hardships are insufficient findings to grant a variance. This chart is used to assist the Board of Adjustments in its decision making concerning variance requests.
The following attachments must be included with the Board of Adjustment application:
- Cover letter describing the request
- Site plan drawn to scale that indicates the proposed request
- Denied application for construction, if applicable
- Copies of any supporting documents larger than 8½” x 11” or any colored rendering