How to Contact a Local Zoning Board

In some forms of U.S. local government, a zoning board is responsible for hearing plan proposals from developers who want to build in a certain municipality. A resident of a certain area might want to contact the zoning board regarding a project that the municipality is considering.

Instructions

1. Get the names of the zoning board members.

2. Find out when the zoning board will be ruling on the project that interests you. A zoning board has meetings called zoning hearings where they hear testimony from developers and sometimes from those opposed to a project. You should be able to access the monthly dates of zoning board hearings on a local web site.

3. Decide on a method of contact. You could call, but the best method is in writing. A letter has greater value and less chance of getting lost, but email might be ok. See if your township or borough manager will print your email out and give it to the board.

4. Write your letter in a professional tone. Include all necessary information, the actual name of the project in question, your name and address, and even the number of years you have lived in the municipality. Identification of yourself and your concerns is key. Also, if you are represented by counsel, be sure to include that information and let the board know how to reach your counsel.

5. Send your letter to the township or borough office. If the secretary or manager already knows the letter or email is coming, that's a plus. You may want to check in to make sure it was received.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't contact the zoning board about land development issues. The board rules on issues of land use, but they don't get involved in all of the aspects of a plan. Sometimes things like storm water or environmental issues are out of their jurisdiction and should be addressed to some other board, like the supervisors or council.

Resources

• Zoning Boards in New York.
• Zoning board definitions.