The Board of Architecture Review is composed of seven volunteer members appointed by City Council to staggered four year terms. Members of the BAR must be residents of the City. Three members must be professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, horticulture, building construction, engineering, or urban planning.  Two members must own property, a business, or be a resident of an architectural review district. One member must be an at-large resident who is not a design professional or an property/business owner or resident of a review district.

The Board of Architectural Review reviews and approves plans for new construction that are situated in one of the City’s architectural districts. Specific responsibilities of the BAR include:

• Review new construction within established Architectural Overlay Districts
• Review new construction, exterior renovations, and new signs within the General Commercial District
• Review new construction within other areas as designated by ordinance.
• All changes of use from residential to nonresidential.
• Any alteration or addition that increases the total impervious site area or gross floor area of a building.

Requests to appear in front of this board are made through submitting the appropriate form.  Click Here to view submission forms.

Details regarding protocol for meetings, submissions, documents, etc. are available by calling the Zoning and Codes Administrator at (864) 653-2050.

More detailed information regarding the Board of Architectural Review may be found in Chapter 19, Article XI of the City’s Code of Ordinances.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO APPLICANT(S) AND GENERAL PUBLIC: Please refrain from contacting any member of the Board of Architectural Review regarding matters related to an application. Any communication outside the public meeting, including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, phone calls, written correspondence, e-mails, instant messaging, and the next level of technology that presents itself with any member of the Board of Architectural Review is considered an "ex parte communication".

An "ex parte communication" occurs when an interested party in the matter to be decided (or representative) and a quasi-judicial decision-maker discuss, outside the formal hearing process, the substance of the matter to be decided. If this were to occur the decision-maker is disqualified (must be recused) from voting on the matter. Outside communications also create an appearance of impropriety and serves to undercut public confidence in the integrity of the process.

Any resident of Clemson or anyone who owns property or a business in Clemson who wishes to share information with the BAR may either 1) submit information in writing to the Zoning and Codes administrator no later than one week prior to a scheduled meeting and/or 2) at the first review of a new project or significant remodeling there will be a public input session where citizens will be allowed to speak per Board of Architectural Review By-Laws.

The Board of Zoning Appeals is a quasi-judicial board charged with considering requests regarding changes and exceptions to the City's established zoning ordinance. The Board is comprised of seven volunteer members appointed by City Council to three year terms.

The BZA holds the following powers:

• Considering requests for variances from a specific requirement of the City’s zoning ordinance
• Hearing appeals of petitioners seeking review of a decision made by the Zoning and Codes Administrator
• Reviews and approves/disapproves requests for special exceptions. (Special exceptions are uses allowed in specified zoning districts upon determination by the BZA that the proposed location is appropriate. The BZA may impose additional conditions on the special exception if necessary.)

Requests to appear in front of this board are made through submitting the appropriate form.  Click Here to view submission forms.  Meeting dates and deadlines for submission to the BZA can be found on the meeting calendar.

More detailed information regarding the Board of Zoning Appeals may be found in Chapter 19, Article XIII of the City’s Code of Ordinances.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO APPLICANT(S) AND GENERAL PUBLIC: Please refrain from contacting any member of the Board of Zoning Appeals regarding matters related to an application. Any communication outside the public meeting, including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, phone calls, written correspondence, e-mails, instant messaging, and the next level of technology that presents itself with any member of the Board of Zoning Appeals is considered an "ex parte communication".

An "ex parte communication" occurs when an interested party in the matter to be decided (or representative) and a quasi-judicial decision-maker discuss, outside the formal hearing process, the substance of the matter to be decided. If this were to occur the decision-maker is disqualified (must be recused) from voting on the matter. Outside communications also create an appearance of impropriety and serves to undercut public confidence in the integrity of the process.

Any resident of Clemson or anyone who owns property or a business in Clemson who wishes to share information with the BZA regarding a specific case will be allowed to do so during the public input session.

The Building and Fire Board of Appeals was established in accordance with the International Building Code and the International Fire Code. This Board is composed of no fewer than five volunteer members who must be qualified by experience and training to pass on matters pertaining to building construction or fire codes and may not be employees of the City. One of these members must have a background on fire code matters. These members are appointed by Council for a period of four years.

The Board is a quasi-judicial body charged with hearing appeals of decisions made by the City Building Official to consider requests for variances to specific code requirements imposed by the International Building Code.

More detailed information regarding the Building and Fire Board of Appeals may be found in Chapter 5, Article I of the City’s Code of Ordinances.

The Planning Commission is a volunteer committee consisting of seven members who are appointed by City Council to a term of four years. The commission was established as an advisory board to accomplish coordinated and harmonious development of the municipality. To that end, the Commission provides recommendations on a variety of land use related issues impacting the long term quality of life in the Clemson community.

The Commission is responsible for:

• Reviewing and directing the preparation of the City's Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and land development regulations
• Approving street name requests
• Providing recommendations of rezoning requests
• Approving land development applications
• Providing recommendations regarding ordinance amendments

Requests to appear in front of this board are made through submitting the appropriate form.  Click Here to view submission forms.

More detailed information regarding the Planning Commission may be found in the Chapter 15, Article I of the City’s Code of Ordinances. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO APPLICANT(S) AND GENERAL PUBLIC: Although interaction with the public is a critical component of the Planning Commission’s duties, any communication (or other activity) related to a specific development application that may be subject to Commission review is prohibited outside of a formal public session. Contact staff for more information.