(A) The Board of Zoning Adjustment may authorize variances from the requirements of this chapter where it can be shown that, owing to special and unusual circumstances relating to a specific piece of property, the literal interpretation of this chapter would cause an undue or unnecessary hardship; except that, no variance shall be granted to allow the use of property for purposes not authorized within the district in which the proposed use would be located, except a variance may be granted for the alteration or extension of an existing structure, which is non-conforming as to use if it meets the requirements of subsections (B) and (D) below. In granting a variance, the Board of Zoning Adjustment may attach conditions which it finds necessary to protect the best interests of the surrounding property or neighborhood and to otherwise achieve the purpose of this chapter.
(B) No variance shall be granted unless it can be shown that all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The strict application of the ordinance would produce undue hardship;
(2) Such hardship is not shared generally by other properties in the same zoning district and the same vicinity;
(3) The authorization of such variance will not be of substantial detriment to adjacent property and the character of the district will not be changed by the granting of the variance; and
(4) The granting of such variance is based upon reasons of demonstrable and exceptional hardship as distinguished from variations for purposes of convenience, profit or caprice.
(2005 Code, § 11-804)