City of Columbus Proposes to Expand Zoning Code Modernization

Published on June 26, 2025

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther has introduced a proposal to Columbus City Council to update the city’s zoning code to expand access to housing and high-quality jobs while guiding future investments to benefit neighborhoods citywide. The next phase of Zone In, the city’s ongoing initiative to modernize its 70-year-old zoning code, will focus on areas primed for enhanced mixed-use development, industrial and warehouse operations, and business and institutional campuses.

“Last year’s zoning reform along key corridors unlocked significant housing capacity in our city, but we must continue to act boldly if we are to meet this moment head-on,” said Mayor Ginther. “Cost of living is about more than the price of rent or a mortgage. It’s also about expanding access to high-quality jobs, reducing the distance between where residents work and live, connecting families to essential services and amenities, and aligning our growth with reliable public transit.”

Zone In will next seek to modernize the zoning code in areas where outdated regulations continue to limit job growth, housing and investment. Specifically, this work will address areas that have been identified as being well-suited for enhanced:

Mixed-use developments: Flexible, walkable areas, often along major roads and transit corridors, that bring together housing, shops, restaurants and offices.
Industrial and warehouse areas: Spaces dedicated to jobs like manufacturing, storage, logistics and distribution, with appropriate safeguards for nearby residential areas.
Business and institutional campuses: Major job hubs such as hospitals, universities and office parks that may also include amenities such as shops, restaurants or housing.

New recommended zoning districts will ultimately be developed in these areas to:

Expand housing options along key corridors and near job centers to address housing shortages, increase affordability and reduce the distance between where residents work and live.
Strengthen the Columbus economy and support for small businesses by growing local customer bases and modernizing job centers.
Create connected communities and vibrant main streets by linking housing, jobs, retail and dining through mixed-use development that supports walking, biking and transit.
Promote high-quality, predictable development through clearer zoning rules, consistent design standards and better alignment with neighborhood character.

Adopted by Columbus City Council in 2024, Zone In established new mixed-use zoning districts covering 140 miles of primary corridors — creating the conditions to support up to 88,000 new housing units. While the initial Zone In reforms were supported by a common set of established land use plans, the remaining areas require a cohesive policy framework. A growth strategy will be documented to fill that gap by providing the essential policy foundation for future zoning updates — starting with mixed-use, industrial and warehouse, and business and institutional campuses to align with and enable Zone In’s current focus.

“While many Ohio cities are facing a drought of jobs and population loss, Columbus is experiencing steady rainfall in the form of new growth. Zone In is how we channel that growth — preventing floods and ensuring it benefits our entire community,” Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin said.

“As we face one of the most significant housing challenges in our city’s history, we can’t rely on a zoning code written 70 years ago to guide our future,” said Columbus City Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans. “That is why it is so important to continue our efforts to modernize our zoning code. Phase 2 of Zone In continues our critical work to create a more equitable and responsive land use policy that will help unlock housing opportunities in every neighborhood.”

Feedback gathered during community engagement events this year will shape both the land use policy and future zoning code reforms. Residents and community members are encouraged to get involved by attending upcoming workshops and pop-up events, sharing their feedback through online surveys and connecting directly with city staff at community gatherings.

To learn more, visit columbus.gov/zoningupdate.