Who may file a verified petition challenging a Board of Adjustment decision?

• A. A person aggrieved by the decision
• B. A city council member
• C. The Mayor
• D. A private contractor

Answer: (A)

The key idea is standing to challenge a Board of Adjustment decision. In Texas, only someone who is aggrieved by the decision—someone with a direct, personal interest harmed by the ruling—may file a verified petition for judicial review in district court. A city council member, the Mayor, or a private contractor isn’t automatically empowered to challenge the decision just by virtue of their office or employment; they must show their own concrete interest that was adversely affected by the board’s action. Because a party with a direct stake can present the grounds for why the decision is unlawful or improper, they are the appropriate filer. The verified petition process formalizes that challenge, requiring sworn allegations of the aggrieved person’s interests and the reasons the decision should be reviewed.