<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 5-4 Limitations on granting variances.">
  <section prefix="§" num="5-4" heading="Limitations on granting variances.">
    <text>The Planning Department may make an affirmative decision on a variance request only on:</text>
    <para num="(1)">a showing of good and sufficient cause;</para>
    <para num="(2)">a determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship due to the physical characteristics of the property (for which determination, increased cost or inconvenience of meeting the requirements of this Division I does not constitute an “exceptional hardship”);</para>
    <para num="(3)">a determination that the granting of a variance for development within a designated floodway, or within a Special Flood Hazard Area with base-flood elevations but no designated floodway, will not result in increased flood heights beyond that which is allowed by this Division I;</para>
    <para num="(4)">a determination that the granting of a variance will not result in additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, nuisances, fraud or victimization of the public, or conflict with existing local laws;</para>
    <para num="(5)">a determination that the structure or other development is protected by methods to minimize flood damage; and</para>
    <para num="(6)">a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary to afford relief, considering the flood hazard.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 7, §7(c)</annotation>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">2000, art. 7, §5-3</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 88-188</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 11-516</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 14-208</annotation>
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
