76-2-226. Appeals to board of adjustment. (1) Appeals to the board of adjustment may be taken by any person or persons, jointly or severally, aggrieved by a decision of the administrative officer or by an officer, department, board, or bureau of the county affected by any decision of the administrative officer. The appeal must be taken within a reasonable time, as provided by the rules of the board, by filing with the officer from whom the appeal is taken and with the board of adjustment a notice of appeal specifying the grounds of the appeal.

(2) The officer from whom the appeal is taken shall transmit to the board in a timely manner all papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed was taken.

(3) An appeal stays all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from unless the officer from whom the appeal is taken certifies to the board of adjustment after the notice of appeal has been filed with the officer that by reason of facts stated in the certificate a stay would, in the officer's opinion, cause imminent peril to life or property. In that case, proceedings may not be stayed except by a restraining order, which may be granted by the board of adjustment or by a court of record on application, on notice to the officer from whom the appeal is taken, and on due cause shown.

(4) The board of adjustment shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the appeal, give public notice of the hearing as well as due notice to the parties in interest, and decide the appeal within a reasonable time.

(5) At the hearing, a party may appear in person or by the party's attorney.