Zoning Board of Appeals

The deadline to submit an on-line application for the ZBA meeting scheduled for 4/27/23 is 3/23/23 at 4:00pm.


Overview

The Amesbury Zoning Board of Appeals is a quasi-judicial board. The Board hears and decides on:

  • Requests for Variances
  • Appeals of the decisions of the Zoning Enforcement Officer
  • Requests to alter, modify or extend non-conforming uses and structures
  • Requests for Special Permits and findings as set forth in the Amesbury Zoning Bylaws

Note

If you are applying for a Variance, Special Permit/Finding, or Appeal through the Zoning Board of Appeals, please contact the Inspectional Services Dept. to have a fillable document emailed to you.

The procedure to file is:

  1. You must have two (2) copies of your completely filled out application and bring them to the City Clerk to have them date stamped.  The City Clerk will retain one copy.  (It will be your responsibility to obtain an abutter list from the City Assessor to include with your application.)
  2. You must create an account through the City of Amesbury web-site, “Get a Permit”.
  3. Once your account is set up, you will need to search under Inspectional Service and choose the application you wish to file.  You will be asked to upload the time-stamped application, along with other information stated on the application.
  4. We will review and let you know if this is a valid application.  If so, we will mail the abutter notifications for you.
  5. In addition to the fee paid, you will be required to pay for the newspaper Legal Notice, printed 2x.  You will be billed prior to the meeting and payment must be made upon receipt for your case to be heard.

Permits can be applied for on OpenGov 

To create an account in OpenGov, please go to:  https://amesburyma.viewpointcloud.com. Once you have created your account, choose Inspectional Services, then scroll to the bottom to select your zoning application.

The deadline for submission of new applications is 30 days prior to the meeting date. Applications are to be submitted to the Zoning Enforcement Officer in the Inspectional Services Department. The Officer will review the application for completion. If the application requires editing, you will be notified. Once the application is determined to be complete, it will be processed and provided to the ZBA members.

The Zoning Board of Appeals is the permit granting authority for Findings, Variances, and Special Permits noted as S2 in the Amesbury Zoning Ordinance Table of Use Regulations (Section V). Appeals of decisions may be filed within 20 days of the Board's issuance of a decision.

yellow divider line

Related Documents

  1. Amesbury Zoning Map (Unofficial Copy) (PDF)
  2. Comprehensive Permit Rules (PDF)
  3. Downtown Sign District Map (PDF)
  4. Parking Plans (PDF)
  5. Table of Dimensional and Density Regulations (PDF)
  6. Table of Off Street Parking and Loading Regulations (PDF)
  7. Table of Use Regulations (PDF)
  8. Water Resource Protection District (PDF)