What is the role of a zoning board of appeals?

The role of a zoning board of appeals is primarily to review administrative rulings made by local planning authorities or zoning officials. This board exists to ensure that the zoning regulations and decisions made are fair and just, allowing for a mechanism through which property owners can challenge the decisions that affect their property rights.

When a property owner believes that a ruling made by the planning board or zoning authority unjustly affects their rights or the value of their property, they can appeal to the zoning board of appeals. The board then reviews the case, considering the evidence presented and the applicable zoning laws. This process helps maintain a balance between the regulatory goals of land use and the individual rights of property owners.

The other choices reflect functions that are not typically associated with a zoning board of appeals. Implementing new zoning laws is usually the responsibility of the legislative body or town council, conducting real estate evaluations falls under the duties of appraisers or market analysts, and overseeing construction permits is typically managed by building departments rather than a zoning board.