a. Upon the application of the owner of a building, structure or premises, the enforcing agency may grant variances from the requirements of a regulation issued pursuant to this act. No variance shall be granted in a particular case unless the enforcing agency shall find: (1) that strict compliance with the regulation would result in undue hardship to the owner; and (2) that the variance, if granted, will not unreasonably jeopardize the safety of intended occupants, fire fighters and the public generally.

b. An application for a variance pursuant to this section shall be filed in writing with the enforcing agency and shall set forth specifically: (1) a statement of the requirements of the regulation from which a variance is sought; (2) a statement of the manner by which strict compliance with the regulation would result in undue hardship; (3) a statement of the nature and extent of the undue hardship; and (4) a statement of feasible alternatives to the requirements of the regulation which would adequately protect the safety of the occupants or intended occupants, fire fighters, and the public generally.

c. Within 30 days of receiving the application for a variance, the enforcing agency shall grant or deny the application in writing, stating the reason for granting or denying the application. If the application is not granted within 30 days, the applicant shall consider it to have been denied and shall have the same appeal rights as in the case of a written denial.

The enforcing agency shall maintain records of all applications for variances and the action taken on them, and shall make the records reasonably available for public inspection. An enforcing agency other than the department shall provide copies of the records to the commissioner.

L.1983, c. 383, s. 9.