What authority does a zoning board have?

A zoning board is primarily established to oversee the enforcement of local zoning laws and to provide relief from strict zoning regulations when necessary. One of its key functions is to grant variances, which are exceptions to the established zoning rules. These variances are typically granted in situations where strict application of the zoning law would create an undue hardship for a property owner. The rationale is to strike a balance between upholding zoning regulations and recognizing unique circumstances that may justify an exception.

By allowing a variance to avoid undue hardship, the zoning board provides a mechanism to accommodate individual property needs while still maintaining the integrity of the zoning laws. This serves to promote fairness and flexibility within the regulatory framework.

The other options misrepresent the powers of the zoning board. Eliminating all non-conforming uses would be an overreach of authority and is not typically within the immediate powers of the zoning board. Approving unlimited variances is unfeasible, as variances are granted on a case-by-case basis to ensure that each decision is justified and does not detract from the overall zoning plan. Lastly, zoning boards do not have the authority to enforce zoning without exceptions; their very purpose includes the ability to grant exceptions when proprietary situations warrant them.