Every industry has their own lingo, and the architecture industry is no exception. We throw around words, phrases, terms, and acronyms that might not mean much to the average bystander. One such word is “variance.” For most people, this word simply means “a difference or deviation for the standard or typical,” but in architecture, this term is used specifically to refer to a request for relief from a strict application of a zoning law.
Here are a couple of examples of variances in the field of architecture:
- Asking the city to approve a multi-family unit on a lot that is zoned for a single-family home
- Requesting a home addition to be built to be closer to the property line than the city’s zoning ordinance would normally allow
When applying for a variance, it is required that our architecture firm state the reason(s) we believe the city should make an exception to one or more of their zoning laws for our client’s specific project. The reason could be related to things such as lot’s size or shape, the property’s topography, or its immediate surroundings. It is our job to make a case as to why the property’s physical condition makes it impossible or overly burdensome for us to strictly comply with applicable zoning laws, and how our proposed variance won’t negatively affect the property’s neighbors.
Variances are considered on a case-by-case basis, and some cities are more open to them than others. In certain cities, such as Redondo Beach, minor variances tend to be easily approved. However, in Long Beach, we have found that we need to make a very compelling case in order to get a variance to go through.
The challenge is that it’s not public knowledge what cities will approve which types of variances. City planning departments don’t publish “exceptions” to their zoning laws on their websites, and officials don’t go out of their way to tell architects how they can legally get around zoning laws. It is up to us to ask the right questions of the right people to find out what variances will be approved and which ones won’t.
There is huge value to our clients in our architecture firm’s knowledge of variances, how different cities handle them, and how to get them approved! Knowing that a city typically approves certain types of variances can open up more opportunities for our clients. On the other hand, knowing that a city will never approve a design that doesn’t strictly adhere to zoning laws can save our clients a ton of time (and heartache). The only way to obtain this type of knowledge is through experience—and our Long Beach architecture firm has more than 20 years of experience working with the city planning departments in our area!
When we have a project that would benefit from a variance, we do everything we can at the beginning of the design process to find out if we can actually get it approved. This often means going to the city planning department in person to ask questions and seek guidance from those with the authority to approve the variance. Please don’t misunderstand—we’re not making “back room deals” with city officials! We are simply asking the right questions of the right people early on in the process. We are advocating for our clients by putting in some extra legwork to find out what is possible (and what isn’t) with regard to their projects—before we start designing.
Are you looking for an experienced architect in Long Beach, CA who will advocate for you? Contact us at Grisafe Architecture to discuss your upcoming project.
