The Washington County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is composed of five residents of Washington County appointed by the County Circuit Court for five year terms. The BZA is responsible for hearing and deciding appeals from determinations made by the Washington County Department of Zoning Administration in the administration or enforcement of the Washington County Zoning Ordinance. The BZA is also responsible for hearing and deciding requests for variances from the terms of the County Zoning Ordinance as will not be contrary to the public interest, when, owing to special conditions a literal enforcement of the provisions of the County Zoning Ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship.