Variance or Special Exception Application Instructions

This application shall be used for an application to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a Variance or Special Exception, as described in the following section of the Zoning Ordinance:

1.   A complete application including the online land use application form, the required application fee, and one (1) original copy of all supporting documents, plans, and exhibits must be received by the Planning Department prior to the published deadline. Hard copies of plans/exhibits should be 8 ½” x 11” in size, 11" x 17” plans may be used only if the document would otherwise be unreadable.

2.   View Point Cloud is the software that powers the City of Portsmouth's online application center. In order to complete an online land use application, you must create an account for the site. When you register for the first time, you’ll need to access your email account in order to activate your View Point account.

3.   The person completing the online application should be the primary point of contact for the project and must provide authorization from the property owner.  All automatic notifications from View Point on the application’s status, approvals, and staff comments will be sent to this person’s email address.  Only this person can add additional information to the application once it’s been submitted.

4.   If the project will need multiple land use approvals from different boards, a single online land use application record should be used for all of the approvals.  It is recommended that the applicant confer with Planning Department staff about project contacts for multiple land use approvals prior to submitting the application.

5.   Submission deadlines are available from the Planning Department and online -- www.cityofportsmouth.com/planportsmouth/land-use-applications-forms-and-fees (meeting schedule).

6. The Planning Department reserves the right to refuse applications which do not meet the minimum requirements.  The Planning Department may also require additional information and/or exhibits as needed to illustrate the scope of the project. 

7.  The following information is required for applications requesting dimensional relief:

  • Valuation of New Construction (for non-residential projects)
  • Total Number of Dwelling Units (for residential projects
  • Lot area
  • Description of proposed project
  • Description of existing land use
  • Project representatives – names and contact information
  • Description and dimensions of existing and proposed buildings (including building footprint, total gross floor area, and height)
  • Existing and proposed front, side and rear setback / yard dimensions (this is the distance from a structure to the lot line) 
  • Site Plan(s) showing existing and proposed conditions including:
    • Abutting street(s) and street names
    • Driveways / accessways
    • Dimensions (size and height) of structures
    • Dimensions and location of parking spaces
  • Scale of all drawings and plans (the scale is the ratio of the drawing’s size relative to the actual size)
  • Labeled photo(s) of existing conditions
  • Building plans and elevations of any proposed structures or additions
  • Interior floor plans for any renovations or expansion to existing structures
  • Written statement explaining how the request complies with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance as provided in Article 2 (see Section 10.233.20 for Variances, Section 10.232.20 for Special Exceptions).

8.  In addition, for applications requesting dimensional relief, the following information may be required by the Planning Department:

  • Existing and proposed number of parking spaces
  • Existing and proposed number of loading spaces
  • Existing and proposed lot area covered by surface parking and driveways 
  • Existing and proposed other impervious area
  • Whether any of the proposed work is located in a wetland area or wetland buffer area
  • Number of new hotel rooms
  • New restaurant gross floor area 

9.  The following information is required for applications requesting relief from land use requirements:

  • Valuation of New Construction (for non-residential projects)
  • Total Number of Dwelling Units (for residential projects
  • Lot area
  • Description of existing and proposed land uses
  • Location and gross floor area of the area devoted to the existing and proposed land uses
  • Existing and proposed number of parking spaces
  • Project representatives – names and contact information 
  • Written statement explaining how the request complies with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance as provided in Article 2 (see Section 10.233.20 for Variances, Section 10.232.20 for Special Exceptions).
  • Site Plan showing dimensions and location of parking spaces including the scale (the scale is the ratio of the drawing’s size relative to the actual size)
  • Interior floor plans and/or exterior site plans showing the location of the proposed use(s)
  • Labeled photo(s) of existing conditions

10.  In addition, for applications requesting land use relief, the following information may be required by the Planning Department:

  • Existing and proposed number of loading spaces
  • Number of new hotel rooms
  • New restaurant gross floor area

The Applicant is encouraged to consider the following when completing the application:

  • Provide neat and clearly legible plans and copies
  • Use of color or highlights is encouraged in order to identify pertinent areas on plans
  • Applicants are encouraged to review the application with a member of the Planning Department staff prior to submittal
  • All applicants are encouraged to discuss the project with impacted neighbors

For additional information on application requirements and the Zoning Board of Adjustment review and approval process, please refer to the City of Portsmouth Zoning Ordinance (see Article 2, Section 10.230) and the Zoning Board of Adjustment Rules and Regulations or contact the Planning Department directly at (603) 610-7216.