When is a zone variance or modification necessary?

The most common requests relate to setbacks. For example, a property owner may wish to construct a residence, but because a parcel’s shape, size, or topography restricts the area that may be developed, a reduction in a front , side , or rear yard setback may be necessary. Another com-mon type of request is a lot size variance or modification, both of which are usually processed as a result of a land division application.