The legal function of the Board is to hold official public hearings and render formal written decisions on cases brought before it. Such cases are brought by persons whose permit applications have been denied by the Department of Buildings, or by persons who contest the issuance of a building permit. In other words, the Board was established primarily to review actions taken by the Department of Buildings referable to the Town of Hempstead's Building Zone Ordinance.

The Board has jurisdiction to grant relief when at least the majority of its members, or in the case of a disapproval recommendation by the Nassau County Planning Commission, a majority plus one. The Board may find that after considering all evidence presented and after due deliberation, that the imposition of a particular building zoning ordinance requirement would legally justify such relief.

In addition to hearing cases seeking variances and special exceptions to the Building Zone Ordinance, the Board has the power to permit certain dwellings to be occupied as "mother-daughter" residences.

Please call the Secretary to the Board of Appeals at (516) 812-3005 for future hearing dates.

To submit your comments regarding an upcoming Board of Appeals hearing, you may do so online using the BoA Hearings Comment Form, or send your comments in writing to: David P. Weiss, Chairman of the Board of Appeals, One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Comments received prior to the close of the public hearing will be made part of the record.