Variances, special exceptions, and zoning approvals for homeowners, property owners, and developers in Washington, DC and Virginia.
Whether you're a homeowner planning an addition, a small investor converting a property, or a developer pursuing a larger project, zoning and entitlement work is often the first — and most consequential — step. At Myers & Shah, we guide clients through the full regulatory approval process in the District of Columbia and Virginia, from initial feasibility analysis through final board approval.
We represent both applicants seeking approvals and property owners opposing projects that threaten their neighborhoods. Our attorneys appear regularly before zoning boards, planning commissions, historic preservation review boards, and advisory neighborhood commissions across the region.
In Washington, DC, most zoning relief — whether a variance, special exception, or planned unit development — is decided by the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA). The process typically begins with a feasibility assessment: we review your property's zoning designation, the applicable regulations under the 2016 Zoning Regulations (11 DCMR), and the specific relief needed for your project.
From there, we prepare and file the application, coordinate outreach to your Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) and adjacent property owners, and represent you at the BZA hearing. For projects involving historic properties, we also handle review before the Historic Preservation Review Board.
The timeline from application to decision is typically three to six months, depending on the complexity of the relief sought and whether opposition is filed.
You don't need to be a large developer to need zoning help. Many of our clients are DC homeowners who want to add a rear addition, convert a basement to a rental unit, build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or make changes to a property in a historic district. These projects frequently require variances or special exceptions — and the BZA process can be intimidating without experienced counsel.
We explain the process in plain language, handle the paperwork and filings, manage the ANC relationship, and represent you at the hearing. Our goal is to make zoning approvals straightforward so you can focus on your project.
Our practice combines deep knowledge of DC and Virginia zoning codes with real litigation experience. If a zoning decision is challenged — or if you need to challenge one — we have the courtroom skills to protect your position. And because we also practice in development incentives and commercial leasing, we understand how zoning decisions fit into the larger picture of a project's feasibility and financing.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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