Yard VarianceGet a packet

Independence, Ohio

Need a variance? Start here.

Every yes and no the Board of Zoning Appeals has given since January 18, 2024. Find the ones like yours. Then apply.

94 asks. 92 got a yes.

  1. Find your kind of project below. See what they asked, what they said, and the vote.
  2. Apply through the city. The rules are at the bottom of this page.
  3. Want it done for you? The form, the sketch, your case, and a one-pager for the meeting. $199, in 2 days.

Fences and gates10 of 10 got a yes

Show the other 2, back to March 21, 2024
  • 4405CHESTNUTROAD

    May 16, 2024 · 4405 Chestnut Road

    A motion was made by Charles Bredt, seconded by Pasquale Monteleone Jr., to allow the fence to encroach 40 feet past the front setback of an adjoining property. (Agenda: 4405 Chestnut Road, Spencer & Dana Michaels – Requesting a variance to 1363.01(c) to allow a fence to encroach approximately 40-feet past the front se

    Said a dog or other pet; privacy.

    approved4–0
  • 7606HEMLOCKROAD

    March 21, 2024 · 7606 Hemlock Road

    A motion was made by Noelle Ostrowski, seconded by Pasquale Monteleone, Jr., to allow the fence to encroach 11 feet past the front setback. (Agenda: 7606 Hemlock Road, Angie Rich - Requesting a variance to 1363.01(c) to allow a fence to encroach approximately 11 feet past the front setback of an adjoining property (not

    Said privacy; what the property borders.

    approved5–0

Sheds, garages, generators, pool houses32 of 34 got a yes

Show the other 26, back to March 21, 2024
  • 7740BRECKSVILLEROAD

    December 18, 2025 · 7740 Brecksville Road

    7740 Brecksville Road, PPN 563-26-059, Gary & Donna Kruse – requesting variances to: a. §1143.02(b)(1)A to allow the height of the garage to exceed allowable limit (15’ maximum height allowed, 16’ requested). b. §1143.02(b)(1)B to allow a five-car garage to be oversized (48’ x 24’ allowed, 48’ x 32’ requested). c. §114

    Said .

    approved5–0
  • 5000VALLEYWOODSDRIVE

    November 20, 2025 · 5000 Valley Woods Drive

    5000 Valley Woods Drive, PPN 563-07-053, Greg & Kristina Miller, - requesting variances to: a. §1143.02(b)(2)B to allow an area increase of 126 sq. ft. for a utility building (270 sq. ft. requested, 144 sq. ft. permitted)

    Said privacy; the lot itself.

    approved5–0
  • 6740IVANDALEROAD

    October 16, 2025 · 6740 Ivandale Road

    To approve the variance request to 1143.02(b)(2)B, to allow an area increase of 16 sq. ft. for a utility building

    Said .

    approved4–0
  • 5729BROOKSIDEROAD

    August 21, 2025 · 5729 Brookside Road

    To approve the variance request to 1143.02(b)(2)B, to allow an area increase of 96 sq. ft. for a utility building

    Said .

    approved5–0
  • 6962HAWTHORNTRACE

    August 21, 2025 · 6962 Hawthorn Trace

    To approve the variance request to 1332.08(a) to allow a generator to be placed in the side yard

    Said the lot itself.

    approved5–0
  • 6987KINGSCOTEPARK

    August 21, 2025 · 6987 Kingscote Park

    To approve the variance request to 1332.08(a) to allow a generator to be placed in the side yard

    Said privacy.

    approved5–0
  • 7310STONEROAD

    August 21, 2025 · 7310 Stone Road

    To approve the variance request to 1332.08(a), to allow a generator to be placed in the side yard

    Said privacy.

    approved5–0
  • 7657BRECKSVILLEROAD

    August 21, 2025 · 7657 Brecksville Road

    To approve the variance requests to 1143.02(a)(2), to allow an additional detached accessory structure, 1143.02(b)(4)A, to allow an increase in height of 5 ft. 5.75 inches, and to 1143.02(b)(4)B, to allow an area increase of 208 sq. ft. for a pool house

    Said privacy; an existing structure.

    approved5–0
  • 8201HILLSIDEROAD

    August 21, 2025 · 8201 Hillside Road

    To approve the variance request to 1143.02(b)(2)(B), to allow an area increase of 136 sq. ft. for a utility building

    Said an existing structure.

    approved5–0
  • 6705BRECKSVILLEROAD

    July 17, 2025 · 6705 Brecksville Road

    To approve the requested variances to 1143.02(a)(1), to allow two additional building structures on the parcel, to 1143.02(b)(1), to allow the height of the garage to be 16’5”, and to 1143.02(b)(1)(B), to allow a four-car garage to be 40’x 30’

    Said an existing structure.

    approved4–0
  • 6615ELMARGEDRIVE

    June 19, 2025 · 6615 Elmarge Drive

    To approve the variance request to 1143.02(a)(2), to allow a secondary accessory structure. ... to approve the variance request to 1143.02(b)(2)(B), to allow a shed to be an additional 96 square feet in

    Said the lot itself; an existing structure.

    approved5–0, 5–0
  • 8303STONERD

    June 19, 2025 · 8303 Stone Rd.

    To approve the requested variance to 1332.08(a), to allow a generator to be placed in the side yard

    Said privacy; the lot itself.

    approved5–0
  • 6804EASTPLEASANTVALLEYROAD

    May 28, 2025 · 6804 East Pleasant Valley Road

    The variance request to 1143.02(b)(1)(B) to allow a 4-car garage to be 30’ x 40 ft. (48’ x 24’ allowed), subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer as to downspouts being tied-in to the home

    Said safety; the lot itself.

    approved4–1
  • 6996FILIPBLVD

    April 17, 2025 · 6996 Filip Blvd.

    6996 Filip Blvd., Patrick M. Coleman - Requesting a variance to 1143.02(b)(2)B to allow a utility building to be 200 sq. ft. (144 sq. ft. permitted)

    Said the lot itself.

    approved4–0
  • 8224BROOKSIDEROAD

    April 17, 2025 · 8224 Brookside Road

    8224 Brookside Road, Benedetto & Christine Scaglione – requesting variances to: 1. 1143.02(b)(1)B to allow a detached garage to be 72’ x 24’ (36’ x 24’ allowed, 72’ x 24’ requested). 2. 1143.02(b)(1)C to allow eight enclosed parking spaces (5 enclosed parking spaces allowed, 8 spaces requested). 3. 1143.02(a)(2) to all

    Said .

    approved4–0
  • 5907SPRAGUEROAD

    March 20, 2025 · 5907 Sprague Road

    5907 Sprague Road, Andrew A. Kovesdi – requesting variances to: a) 1143.02(b)(1)A to allow an additional 5 feet of height (20 feet requested, 15 feet allowed) b) 1143.02(b)(1)B to allow a three-car garage to be oversized (104’ x 40’ requested, 36’ x 24’ allowed) c) 1143.02(b)(1)C to allow 9 additional car spaces (14 en

    Said privacy; the lot itself.

    tabled5–0
  • 5122BROOKSIDEROAD

    February 20, 2025 · 5122 Brookside Road

    To approve the variance to 1332.08(a) to allow a generator to be placed in the side yard

    Said cost or durability.

    approved4–0
  • 4806HICKORYNUTLANE

    January 16, 2025 · 4806 Hickory Nut Lane

    4806 Hickory Nut Lane, Randy & Karen Kreizenbeck – Requesting a variance to 1332.08(a) to allow a generator to be located in the side yard (not permitted)

    Said deer and wildlife.

    approved3–0
  • 6345EVERGREENDRIVE

    December 19, 2024 · 6345 Evergreen Drive

    6345 Evergreen Drive, Tom & Caroline Kurtz - Requesting variances to: a) 1143.02(b)(2)A to allow a utility building to be 12’ 3” in height (12 ft. permitted). b) 1143.02(b)(2)B to allow a utility building to be 336 sq. ft. (144 sq. ft. permitted)

    Said privacy; the lot itself.

    approved5–0
  • 6577CHERYLANNDRIVE

    October 17, 2024 · 6577 Cheryl Ann Drive

    A motion was made by Noelle Ostrowski, seconded by Charles Bredt, to approve the application for 6577 Cheryl Ann Drive for variances to 1143.02(b)(2)B to allow an accessory building to be 288 sq. ft., 1165.02 to reduce the rear yard setback by 5 ft., and 1165.01 to reduce the side yard setback by 9 ft., subject to the

    Said the lot itself; cost or durability.

    approved5–0
  • 8385DALEBROOKROAD

    October 17, 2024 · 8385 Dalebrook Road

    A motion was made by Pasquale Monteleone Jr., seconded by Noelle Ostrowski, to approve the application for 8384 Dalebrook Road for a variance to 1143.02(b)(2) to allow an accessory building to be oversized by 168 square feet, 144 square feet allowed, 312 square feet requested, subject to the following conditions: numbe

    Said .

    approved4–1
  • 8224BROOKSIDERD

    July 18, 2024 · 8224 Brookside Rd.

    8224 Brookside Rd., Benedetto & Christine Scaglione – a. Requesting a variance to 1143.02(b)(1)B to allow a detached garage to be 72’x 24’ (36’x 24’ permitted). b. Requesting a variance to 1143.02(b)(1)C to allow 8 enclosed parking spaces (5 enclosed parking spaces permitted). c. Requesting a variance to 1143.02(a)(2)

    Said privacy; cost or durability.

    approved4–0, 4–0, 4–0
  • 6618BEXLEYCOURT

    May 16, 2024 · 6618 Bexley Court

    A motion was made by Pasquale Monteleone Jr., seconded by Noelle Ostrowski, to allow a generator to be located in the side yard. (Agenda: 6618 Bexley Court, Nathaniel & Emily Czeck – Requesting a variance to 1332.08(a) to allow a generator to be located in the side yard (not permitted).)

    Said safety; the lot itself.

    approved4–0
  • 6315BROOKSIDERD

    April 18, 2024 · 6315 Brookside Rd.

    A motion was made by Pasquale Monteleone Jr., seconded by Noelle Ostrowski, to allow a utility building to be 160 sq. ft. (Agenda: 6315 Brookside Rd., Mark Zanath – Requesting a variance to 1143.02(b)(2)B to allow a utility building to be 160 sq. ft. (144 sq. ft. permitted).)

    Said .

    approved3–0
  • 5907EASTASHROAD

    March 21, 2024 · 5907 East Ash Road

    5907 East Ash Road, Gary Moore – a. Requesting a variance to 1143.02(b)(1)B to allow a one car garage to be 12 ft. x 32 ft. (12 ft. x 24 ft. allowed). b. Requesting a variance to 1143.02(a)(2) to allow a second accessory structure on the property (one permitted). c. Requesting a variance to 1165.01 to allow a side yard

    Said privacy; the lot itself.

    tabled5–0
  • 6308CHESTNUTROAD

    March 21, 2024 · 6308 Chestnut Road

    A motion was made by Pasquale Monteleone, Jr., seconded by Charles Bredt, to allow a utility building to be 192 sq. ft. (Agenda: 6308 Chestnut Road, Bonnie Pandin - Requesting a variance to 1143.02(b)(2)B to allow a utility building to be 192 sq. ft. (144 sq. ft. permitted).)

    Said an existing structure; cost or durability.

    approved5–0

Decks and additions past the setback24 of 25 got a yes

Show the other 17, back to March 21, 2024
  • 6604DORABLVD

    April 16, 2026 · 6604 Dora Blvd.

    6604 Dora Blvd., PPN 563-06-098, James & Nora Lentz – requesting variances to: a. §1163.01 to allow a reduction in total lot area of 7,755 sq. ft. (20,000 sq. ft. required, 12,245 sq. ft. requested). b. §1163.03 to allow a reduction in minimum lot width at building line of 21.9 ft. (100 ft. required, 78.1 ft. requested

    Said .

    approved5–0
  • BROOKSIDEROAD

    March 19, 2026 · Brookside Road

    Brookside Road, PPN 564-11-022, Marek Builders, Inc. – requesting a variance to 1163.04 to allow an increase in front setback of 30’ (105’ requested, 75’ required)

    Said the lot itself.

    approved5–0
  • 6268DAISYBLVD

    January 15, 2026 · 6268 Daisy Blvd.

    6268 Daisy Blvd., PPN 562-18-054, Timothy J. & Nichole C. Lee, requesting variances to – a. §1163.04 to allow a reduction in required front setback of 20 ft. to allow a dwelling to be set back 65 ft. on a previously platted 85 ft. setback (75 ft. required, 85ft. previously approved, 65 ft. requested) b. §1165.01 to all

    Said what the property borders; the lot itself.

    approved4–0
  • 6977CAROLDRIVE

    November 20, 2025 · 6977 Carol Drive

    6977 Carol Drive, PPN 563-14-068, Anthony & Sara Ottaviano – requesting a variance to §1143.02(a)(3) to allow a reduction of 4 ft. in rear yard setback (10’ required, 6’ requested)

    Said an existing structure; cost or durability.

    approved5–0
  • 4251CLIFFVIEWDRIVE

    October 16, 2025 · 4251 Cliffview Drive

    To approve the variance request to 1354.08, to allow a riparian setback full reduction of 25 feet

    Said the lot itself.

    approved4–0
  • 7330HILLSIDEROAD

    October 16, 2025 · 7330 Hillside Road

    To approve the variance request to 1163.04, to allow a decrease in existing front setback of 10 feet

    Said safety; an existing structure.

    approved4–0
  • 7707BROOKSIDEROAD

    October 16, 2025 · 7707 Brookside Road

    To approve the variance request to 1165.01, to allow a reduction of 5 feet of side yard setback

    Said the lot itself.

    approved4–0
  • 4850GREATOAKSPARKWAY

    August 21, 2025 · 4850 Great Oaks Parkway

    To approve the variance request to 1143.02(a)(3), to allow a reduction of 6 ft. in the rear yard setback

    Said an existing structure.

    approved5–0
  • 6704ELMWOODAVENUE

    August 21, 2025 · 6704 Elmwood Avenue

    To approve the variance requests to 1165.01, to allow a reduction of 9 ft. of the side yard setback, and to 1163.04, to allow a reduction of existing front setback to 51 ft

    Said the lot itself.

    approved5–0
  • 4891MAPLELEAFLANE

    July 17, 2025 · 4891 Maple Leaf Lane

    To approve the requested variances to 1165.01, to allow a reduction of 5-foot of the side yard setback, and to 1143.02(a)(3), to allow a reduction of 6-foot of the rear yard setback

    Said the lot itself.

    approved4–0
  • CONCORDIAVILLAGE

    May 28, 2025 · 7714 Stone Road

    Concordia Village, Petros Homes, PPN 562-08-058 – requesting multiple variances to setback requirements for proposed subdivision. Details in renderings

    Said the lot itself.

    approved5–0, 3–2
  • 5776EASTASHROAD

    April 17, 2025 · 5776 East Ash Road

    5776 East Ash Road, Bonnie & Ron Shadrach – requesting variances to: 1. 1163.04 to allow a reduction in front setback of 10’ to allow a front setback of 65’ 6” (75’ front setback required, 65’ requested). 2. 1165.01 to allow a reduction in the side yard requirement of 7’ 8” to allow a side yard of 7’ 4” (minimum 15’ si

    Said .

    approved4–0
  • 7765VICTORIACIRCLE

    April 17, 2025 · 7765 Victoria Circle

    7765 Victoria Circle, Daniel & Beverly Kusmer - requesting a variance to 1165.02 to allow a reduction in rear yard requirement of 13’ to allow a rear yard of 27’ (40’ required, 27’ requested). (variance originally granted on June 27, 2024)

    Said .

    approved4–0
  • 7118KLEBERCOURT

    March 20, 2025 · 7118 Kleber Court

    7118 Kleber Court, John & Yvonne Gerbasi – requesting variances to: a) 1143.02(a)(3) to allow a reduction of 5’ 8” rear yard setback (4’ 4” requested, 10’ required) b) 1165.01 to allow a reduction of 1’ of side yard (5’ requested, 6’ required)

    Said .

    approved5–0
  • 7025GREENWOODST

    June 27, 2024 · 7025 Greenwood St.

    A motion was made by Noelle Ostrowski, seconded by Charles Bredt, to allow a reduction of 5 ft. of the current setback. [Agenda: 7025 Greenwood St., Robert Juran – Requesting a variance to 1163.04 to allow a reduction of 5 ft. to allow the front setback to be 70 ft. (75 ft. required).]

    Said .

    approved5–0
  • 8709BROOKSIDERD

    April 18, 2024 · 8709 Brookside Rd.

    A motion was made by Noelle Ostrowski, seconded by Pasquale Monteleone Jr., to allow a sideyard to be 5.2 feet. (Agenda: 8709 Brookside Rd., Gaetano & Loretta Sirna – Requesting a variance to 1165.01 to allow a side yard to be 5.2 ft. (15 ft. required).)

    Said .

    approved3–0
  • 5003OAKMONTCIRCLE

    March 21, 2024 · 5003 Oakmont Circle

    A motion was made by Pasquale Monteleone, Jr., seconded by Noelle Ostrowski, to allow a side yard to be 8 feet. (Agenda: 5003 Oakmont Circle, Greg Corsi - Requesting a variance to 1165.01 to allow a side yard to be 8’ (10’ required).)

    Said the lot itself.

    approved5–0, 5–0

House height and roof4 of 4 got a yes

Driveways and parking4 of 4 got a yes

Lot splits and lot size2 of 2 got a yes

Everything else16 of 17 got a yes

Show the other 9, back to January 18, 2024
  • 6700ROCKSIDEROADCONDADO

    September 18, 2025 · 6700 Rockside Road

    To approve the variance requests to 1151.12(b)(2), to allow an increase of 20.08 sq. ft. for a wall sign, 1151.12(e)(1), to allow an increase in vertical dimension of 2 ft., and 1151.12(e)(10), to allow an increase of 8.145 sq. ft. for a wall sign

    Said .

    approved5–0
  • LAKECHARLESDRIVELOT1A

    August 21, 2025 · Lake Charles Drive, Lot 1A

    To approve the variance request to 1163.03, to allow construction on a lot less than 200 ft. deep, approximately 148 sq. ft. requested, subject to landscaping on the right side of the home

    Said the lot itself.

    approved3–2
  • 6000-6100WESTCREEKROAD

    March 20, 2025 · 6000-6100 West Creek Road

    6000-6100 West Creek Road, CLE1736Columbus, LLC – requesting variances to: a) 1151.13(d)(1) to allow three monument signs on a building lot (three monument signs requested, one monument sign allowed) b) 1151.13(d)(1)(B) to allow a monument sign to be in the 35 / 35-foot sight triangle (not allowed)

    Said .

    approved5–0
  • 6701ROCKSIDEROAD

    January 16, 2025 · 6701 Rockside Road

    6701 Rockside Road, CHCT Ohio, LLC - requesting variances to: a) 1151.13(d)(1) to allow 16.5 sq. ft. added to a monument sign face (66.5 sq. ft. requested, 50 sq. ft. allowed). b) 1151.13(d)(1)(A) to allow 22” of height added to a monument sign height (82” requested, 60” allowed). c) 1151.13(e) allow an additional 7.7

    Said .

    approved3–0, 3–0
  • 7641COMMERCEPARKOVAL

    August 15, 2024 · 7641 Commerce Park Oval

    7641 Commerce Park Oval, Southwest Companies, Inc. – Requesting a variance to 1151.14(a)(2) to allow a second wall sign (one wall sign permitted)

    Said the lot itself.

    approved5–0
  • 5010HILLSIDEROAD

    July 18, 2024 · 5010 Hillside Road

    5010 Hillside Road, Anthony & Maureen Dosen - Requesting a variance to 1163.03 to allow a lot to be 98.79’ at the building line, 1.21’ less than the required width (100 ft. required)

    Said the lot itself.

    approved4–0
  • 9101EASTPLEASANTVALLEYRD

    June 27, 2024 · 9101 East Pleasant Valley Rd.

    A motion was made by Noelle Ostrowski, seconded by Charles Bredt, to allow a monument sign to exceed by 10 sq. ft. for a sign face of 60 sq. ft., and to allow a height to exceed by 8 ft. for a sign height of 13 ft. [Agenda: 9101 East Pleasant Valley Rd., Heidelburg Distributing a. Requesting a variance to 1151.14(a)(1)

    Said the lot itself.

    approved5–0
  • 5300ROCKSIDEROAD

    March 21, 2024 · 5300 Rockside Road

    A motion was made by Charles Bredt, seconded by Pasquale Monteleone, Jr., to allow a wall sign to be 125 sq. ft. and 5 ft. in height. A motion was made by Noelle Ostrowski, seconded by Pasquale Monteleone, Jr., to allow a second sign on the building at 5300 Rockside Road. (Agenda: 5300 Rockside Road, Grand Fiesta Resta

    Said the lot itself.

    approved5–0, 5–0
  • 9010RIONERODRIVE

    January 18, 2024 · 9010 Rio Nero Drive

    A motion was made by Pasquale Monteleone, Jr., seconded by Charles Bredt, to allow a wall sign to be 106.25 sq. ft. (Agenda: 9010 Rio Nero Drive, The Millcraft Paper Company – Requesting a variance to 1151.14 (2)(A) to allow a wall sign to be 106.25 sq. ft. (50 sq. ft. allowed).)

    Said .

    approved5–0

Now apply

Seen enough? The city’s application is a fillable PDF.

Independence’s application form

The rules

  1. Fill in the application form and turn it in with eight sets of complete drawings.
  2. Drawings show the lot dimensions with verified property lines, the address and parcel number, existing structures and nearby streets, and the part of the parcel the request affects, clearly marked.
  3. If someone is representing you, include a letter authorizing them.
  4. Completed applications are due by noon, 14 days before the meeting.
  5. The board meets the third Thursday of each month at City Hall, 6800 Brecksville Road. Caucus at 5:30 PM, meeting right after.
  6. The city’s page doesn’t list a fee. Ask when you file.

Source: the city’s BZA page. City of Independence, 216-524-1019.

Or let us build it

The form filled in, a sketch on an overhead of your lot, your case citing the decisions above, and a one-pager for the night.

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