The Zoning Hearing Examiner (ZHE) is authorized to conduct hearings on behalf of the District Council in the following types of zoning cases (found in Section 27-3304 of the Zoning Ordinance):

• Applications for all Zoning Map Amendments
• Applications for Special Exceptions and requests for variances, alternative compliance to the Landscape Manual, and major departures related thereto
• Petitions for revocation or modification of Special Exceptions, and the accompanying revocation of use and occupancy permits
• Applications for validation of permits issued in error
• Requests for authorization to construct buildings within planned rights-of-way
• Reviews of certifications of nonconforming uses
• Amendments of approved Special Exceptions
• Appeals from decisions of the Historic Preservation Commission
• Certain zoning enforcement hearings 
• Requests for alternative parking plans when the ZHE makes the decision on the  parent application
• Any other case for which the District Council directs that a hearing be held by the Zoning Hearing Examiner, and any other function delegated by State law or the Zoning Ordinance

The ZHE's hearings are public and subject to all the requirements and restrictions placed upon the District Council. The hearings are generally advertised in a newspaper of record.