Variances.

Meridian Code of Ordinances § 7-252

in effect

Sec. 7-252. - Variances. (a) Intent. Variances will not be allowed by this article except for setbacks. Setback variances will only be allowed to overcome some exceptional condition which clearly poses practical difficulty or particular hardship in such a way as to prevent an owner from displaying his/her sign as intended by this article. Such practical difficulty must be clearly exhibited and must be a result of an external influence; it may not be self-imposed. The building official will make setback variance determinations. (b) Petition for variance: (1) Standing. A petition for variation from the setback provision(s) of this article may be made by any person having a proprietary interest in the sign for which such variance is requested. (2) Filing. A variance request shall be filed in writing with the building official and shall include the following information: a. The names, addresses and telephone number of the petitioner, the owner of the property on which the sign is to be erected or affixed, the owner of the sign, and the person to be erecting or affixing the sign. b. A description of the requested variance. c. Clear justification of the requested variance. d. The location of the building, structure, or lot on which the sign is to be erected or affixed. e. A site plan of the property involved showing accurate placement thereon of the proposed sign. f. A drawing of the plans and specifications of the sign to be erected or affixed and the method of construction and attachment to the building or the ground. Such plans and specifications shall include details of dimension, material, color and weight. g. The written consent of the owner of the building structure or property on which the sign is to be affixed. h. Such other information as the building official may require to determine full compliance with this [article] and other applicable ordinances of the city. (3) Fees. The fee for a sign variance request shall be set by the city council by resolution. (c) Standards for variances. In order for the building official to grant a variance from the setback requirements of this article: (1) Special condition(s) and circumstance(s) must clearly exist which are peculiar to the location on which the sign is proposed. (2) The special conditions or circumstances clearly must not result from the actions of the applicant. (3) The granting of the variance will not confer on the applicant any special privilege denied to others in the same vicinity. (4) Except for the provision for which a variance is requested, the sign or signs shall be in compliance with all other provisions and sections of this article and all other applicable ordinances of the city. (5) The granting of the variance will not cause the proposed sign to conflict with utility and street fixtures or with traffic safety and required visibility at any time. (d) Appeals. Any party aggrieved by an adverse recommendation on a variance may file an appeal of the decision of the building official to the board of zoning appeals. (1) Procedure for appeals. No appeal shall be ruled upon by the board of zoning appeals until the following conditions have been met: a. Written notice of appeal required. A written notice of appeal is required and shall state the decision being appealed and shall be given to the building official within fifteen (15) days from the date of such decision. The building official shall then forward to the board of zoning appeals the decision of the building official with all original documents and exhibits in the case. When an appeal is perfected in this manner, the board of zoning appeals may approve, deny, or delay action on the appeal, or where there is need for additional information may remand the case to the building official for further consideration. b. Reserved. (2) Appeal to the city council. An appeal from the decision of the board of zoning appeals may be appealed to the city council. (Ord. No. 3791, § 12, 10-20-87; Ord. No. 4036, § 12, 11-21-95)

Source: City of Meridian, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/meridian/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH7BUBURE_ARTIXSI_S7-252VAFetched: 11/1/2026