Buildings

About The Zoning Hearing Examiner

The Zoning Hearing Examiner conducts public hearings and decides applications for variances, use variances, conditional uses, special exceptions, Hillside Overlay District development permissions, expansions or substitutions of nonconforming uses, and reviews of phased developments in the DD zoning district.

The Zoning Hearing Examiner does not review applications concerning properties designated as an historic landmark or located in a historic district, certain properties located in Interim Development Control districts, or Urban Design Overlay District development permissions.

• If your property is designated as a historic landmark or located in a historic district, please contact the Urban Conservator at 513-352-4848 for information on how to apply for relief from the zoning code.
• If your property is located in an Interim Control district, please contact City Planning at 513-352-4845 for information on how to apply for relief from the zoning code.
• If you require Urban Design Overlay District permission, the Zoning Board of Appeals conducts public hearings and decides applications for UDO cases. 

How To Apply For Zoning Relief:

If you require the Zoning Hearing Examiner’s approval for the relief you are seeking, you must submit the following:

1. your application;

2. denial letter from Zoning Department, or signed letter from Zoning Plans Examiner; 

3. all materials required to support your application outlined in Section 8 of the application; and

4. the required application fee.

After you submit an application, it will be reviewed for completeness. If your application is incomplete, you will be asked to provide whatever information is necessary to render it complete. 

Important Application Information  

• An application will not be deemed complete until all required documents have been submitted and the application fee is paid in full. All transactions must be completed by 4:00pm. No exceptions.  
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit as early as possible to allow time for review and revisions. Partial applications cannot be processed.
• Additionally, hearing dates may reach a maximum capacity of cases. If a hearing date becomes full, your case will be assigned the next hearing date.

Zoning Hearing Application, Checklist, & Instruction

What Happens After I Apply?

Once your application is complete, you will receive a public hearing date.  Hearings are typically held on Wednesdays and are assigned a date once the application is deemed complete.

Your application will then be routed to the Department of City Planning & Engagement and assigned to a Zoning Plans Examiner who will prepare a written report with recommendations prior to the hearing date.

Notice will be provided to all parties legally required to receive notice of the hearing. 

You can expect a written decision within two weeks after the hearing date.

How Do I Present My Case?

You must make an oral presentation of your case at the public hearing on your application. All testimony and documents that you wish to provide must be presented at that time. No information provided after the hearing will be considered in connection with your application.

The public hearing on your case will be conducted according to the Zoning Hearing Examiner procedures found in the Cincinnati Municipal Code and the supplemental rules of procedure established by the Zoning Hearing Examiner. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with these rules and procedures prior to presenting your case.

Chapter 1443 - ZONING HEARING EXAMINER PROCEDURES 

RULES OF PROCEDURE CITY ZONING HEARING EXAMINER 

Log-in to ProjectDox

Who Do I Contact With Questions? 

If you have questions about the Zoning Plans Examiner staff report and completion date, specific details about a project or access to ProjectDox, please contact the Zoning Plans Examiner assigned to the case by calling 513-352-2430 or by email at zoninginfo@cincinnati-oh.gov.

If you have questions about the hearing date and time, you can check the City calendar at http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov or at https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/buildings/buildings-calendar/. 

If you have questions about the hearing process, please contact Kasandra Maynes in the Law Department at 513-352-1559. 

David Sturkey - Hearing Examiner at 513-352-3353 or email David.Sturkey@cincinnati-oh.gov. Ex-parte communication with the Hearing Examiner regarding the specifics of your zoning case is not permitted. 

If you would like to participate in an upcoming hearing, a written request must be submitted no less than 48 hours in advance of a public hearing to gain access to the hearing.

REGISTRATION FOR ZOOM VIDEO-CONFERENCING PARTICIPATION 

Decisions by the Zoning Hearing Examiner may be appealed by any "person affected" by the decision. "Person affected" includes all applicants. Appeals must be filed within 30 days after the decision is mailed.

Any person wishing to appeal a decision of the Zoning Hearing Examiner should familiarize themselves with the Chapter 1449 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code which establishes the rules for appeals to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Hearing Date Information  

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit as early as possible. Hearing dates may reach a maximum capacity of cases. If a hearing date becomes full, your case will be assigned the next hearing date

Disclaimer

This webpage is provided to assist persons who wish to apply for one of the forms of relief over which the Zoning Hearing Examiner holds jurisdiction. The materials provided on this page are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.

The materials are intended, but not promised or guaranteed to be current, complete, or up-to-date and should in no way be taken as an indication of future results.

Any applicant seeking relief from the zoning code is responsible for reviewing all sections of the Cincinnati Municipal Code relevant to his or her application and seeking independent legal advice if necessary.