Recruitment

Please note the 2025 active recruitment period closed on June 30, 2025. However, applications are accepted year-round to be considered in the next round of appointments. 

If interested in additional volunteer opportunities, citizens are encouraged to sign up for email updates to be notified when opportunities become available.

Read more about the recruitment period and appointment process in our FAQs.

Boards, Commissions, and Committees Application

Board Details, Current Membership Roster, and Application
Agenda and Minutes (Regular and Work Session)
Current Goals & Work Plan
Annual Report

Mission Statement 

The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall exercise its statutory authority as granted by the General Statutes of North Carolina and by the Town of Cary Code of Ordinances and Land Development Ordinance (LDO), in an objective and timely manner to hear and decide appeals and requests for variances. 

Life Span Statement

The Zoning Board of Adjustment is a standing board that meets only as needed, based on whether any zoning appeals or variance requests come before the board. Board members will re-examine the board’s purpose every three years.

Powers and Duties

The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears and decides appeals where it is alleged that there is an error in any order, requirement, permit, decision, determination or refusal made by the Planning Director or other administrative officials in the carrying out or enforcement of any provisions of the Land Development Ordinance (LDO). Additionally, the Zoning Board of Adjustment hears requests for variances from the provisions of the LDO. Zoning Board of Adjustment hearings are quasi-judicial hearings as required by law. For more information on quasi-judicial hearings, please see Policy Statement 167.

Membership

The Zoning Board of Adjustment consists of five members, one of whom the Town Council designates as Chairperson. Four members, plus two alternates, are appointed from within Cary's corporate limits, and one member is appointed from its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). All appointments to the board are for three-year terms, except where unexpired terms are being filled.

Meetings

The board meets on an as-needed basis typically on the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. During months where meetings are required, members will meet approximately 2 hours and spend approximately 1 hour or more studying materials and making site visits prior to the meetings. 

All meetings of the board are open to the public. Please note, speakers must offer factual evidence or expert testimony. More information on this board can be found in its annual report or the rules of order. Visit the Town's calendar to confirm meeting dates, times and locations. (Meetings are held "as necessary" and based on case load.)

For additional information, please see the Board of Adjustment Submittal Schedule and download an Appeal Application or a Variance Application.

Electronic Participation in Meetings

At Town of Cary, we're happy to offer an option to allow you to electronically participate in some meetings of our appointed boards and commissions:
Board/Commission Members
Public

Contact
Rob Wilson
Assistant Development Services Director
Planning and Development Services Department
(919) 462-3885

rob.wilson@carync.gov