Board of Zoning Appeals

Responsibilities & Duties

The BZA is empowered to hear and decide appeals, and interpret provisions for applicants exhibiting a challenge to City officials issuing orders, decisions or requirements under the City's Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance (USDO). The BZA independently provides a forum for applicants and/or representatives to appeal their case for a variance, pursuant to Section 81 of New York State General City Law.

Board of Zoning Appeals Documents

• Rules of Procedure
• 2026 Submittal and Review Schedule
• Online Application Portal
• Project Case Files
• PowerPoint Template

Zoning Maps

• Parcel Map Viewer (MapGeo)

Board of Zoning Appeals Meetings

• 6 pm
• Monthly
• Albany Community Development Agency
  200 Henry Johnson Boulevard
  Community Room
  Albany, NY 12210
• Live-streamed via YouTube  

How to Submit Audio and Written Comments on Board of Zoning Appeals Applications

Audio comments (up to three minutes in length) and written comments must be submitted to BZA@albanyny.gov  no less than 48 hours in advance of the hearing or meeting to ensure review by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Submitted comments will not be played or read during the hearing or meeting.

How to Provide Public Comment on an application at a Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing 

Requests to provide public comment at a public hearing must be submitted to BZA@albanyny.gov  no less than 24 hours in advance of a meeting and shall include:

• Your name
• The project/s that you wish to speak on,  and
• The municipality where you live, as required by §34-1B of the Albany City Code.

Members of the public will have three minutes to speak per project and Common Council members have six minutes to speak per project. Speaking times may be modified based on the number of individuals signed up to speak, so it is recommended to submit written or audio comments prior to the hearing or meeting. Projects on a public workshop agenda do not have a public comment period.

Please be respectful of others and in the delivery of your public comment. The Board of Zoning Appeals reserves the right to silence or remove participants who are not respectful during the hearing.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) consists of five members appointed by the Mayor for a three year term. The presence of three members constitutes a quorum of the Board, and the concurring vote of three members is required to carry out any action.

Adriana Le Blan, Chair	Celeste Roeller Harp
Martha Mahoney	Jellisa Joseph
Serena Joyce White-Lake