Please be advised that any items that you wish the board to consider when hearing your request must be submitted by the cut-off date (see Meeting Schedule).  The Board will not consider any items that are presented the night of the meeting.  

Once variance(s) are granted please contact the Building Department 248-347-0415 for necessary permits before proceeding with any work.

Multiple/Commercial/Industrial Application Requirements
Residential Application Requirements
Sign Criteria

Multiple/Commercial/Industrial Application Requirements

  1. PLAN must be denied.
  2. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS APPLICATION must be submitted with the filing fee, which is $300.00.  If violations exist or if a Citation has been issued, the filing fee is $400.00.  Make checks payable to the City of Novi.
  3. (1) digital and (1) physical copy of the SITE PLAN (folded) are needed with recommendation of the Novi Planning Commission.
  4. Be prepared to explain the nature of the practical difficulty or hardship at the Board of Appeals meeting.  (Please refer to the elements of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and additional ordinance standards).

Residential Application Requirements

  1. BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION must be denied.
  2. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS APPLICATION must be completed.  A fee of $200.00 is required for existing Single Family Residential and $250.00 for new Single Family Residential.  If a Notice of Violation exists or if a Citation has been issued, the filing fee will be an additional $50.00.  Make checks payable to the City of Novi.
  3. (1) digital and (1) physical copy of a Plot Plan showing the dimensions of the house, addition and/or accessory structure to include the exact setbacks on the front yard, both side yards and the rear yard.
  4. Approved Plans or a Letter of Approval from the Homeowners Association Architectural Control Committee is required if located in a platted subdivision or site condominium.
  5. Be prepared to explain the nature of the practical difficulty or hardship at the Board of Appeals meeting.  (Please refer to the elements of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and additional ordinance standards).
  6. A BUILDING PERMIT is required within 180 days after the variance is granted and before construction of the building or addition.  After 180 days, the variance is void.

Sign Criteria

  1. SIGN PERMIT APPLICATION must be denied.
  2. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS APPLICATION must be completed and include a $300.00 filing fee. If a Notice of Violation exists or if a Citation has been issued, the filing fee will be $400.00.  Make checks payable to the City of Novi.
  3. (1) digital and (1) physical copy of a SCALED DRAWING indicating location, overall dimension and sign verbiage.
  4. Be prepared to explain the nature of the practical difficulty at the Board of Appeals meeting.  (Please refer to the elements of practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and additional ordinance standards).
  5. A SIGN PERMIT must be obtained within 180 days after a sign variance is granted and before erecting the sign.  After 180 days, the variance is void.
  6. A “mock up” sign must be erected at least one week prior to the meeting.
  • Where a Variance related to the size of a sign is requested, a rendering, specimen, or “mock up” of the proposed sign shall be available for inspection by the Board prior to consideration of the Variance.
  • Should a “mock up” sign be denied at the ZBA meeting, it must be removed within five working days from the date of the meeting unless otherwise agreed by the board at that meeting.