Standard State Zoning Enabling Act (1922)
The U.S. Department of Commerce published a model law for states to adopt, providing a template for zoning enabling legislation. The act included provisions for boards of adjustment to hear requests for relief from zoning rules.
Most states, including Virginia, adopted zoning enabling acts based on this model.
Created the standard structure for local zoning boards, including their power to grant variances and special exceptions.
Virginia's zoning enabling act, which created Alexandria's BZA, is based on this model. The Milletts' special exception request is an example of the board's standard function.
