City of Huntington Board of Zoning Appeals

The City of Huntington Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a five (5) member body that operates under advisory planning law in accordance with IC 36-7-4-900. The Board of Zoning Appeals is a quasi-judicial body, in that it has the power to conduct hearings, issue orders and grant judgments.


Under State Law, the Board of Zoning Appeals is responsible for the following:

  • Granting of variances.
  • Granting of special exceptions.
  • Hearing administrative appeals.

Members serve four-year staggered terms and membership of the Commission is as follows:

  • Three citizen members who must reside in the City's jurisdiction are appointed by the Mayor (1 must be a member of the Plan Commission and 2 may not be).
  • One citizen member who must reside in the City's jurisdiction is appointed by the Common Council (may not be a member of the Plan Commission).
  • One member appointed from the Plan Commission by the Plan Commission.

Note that the IC 36-7-4-920(g) and the Board of Zoning Appeals Rules of Procedure prohibit ex-parte communication with any member of the Board outside of a public hearing. Accordingly, the public and petitioners should refrain from contacting a member of the BZA. All questions and comments concerning matters before the BZA should be directed to the Department prior to and after a public hearing.


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