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division addresses phone and fax Office of the Director   
111 N. Front Street, 8th Floor  
Columbus, OH 43215  
(614) 645.7795   
(614) 645.6675 [FAX]  

Economic Development
111 N. Front Street, 8th Floor 
Suite 220  
Columbus, OH 43215-4418  
(614) 645.8616  
(614) 645.6675 [FAX]  

Housing Division  
111 N. Front Street, 3rd Floor  
Columbus, OH 43215-9040  
(614) 645.7896  
(614) 645.6675 [FAX]  

Land Redevelopment Division  
845 Parsons Avenue    
Columbus, OH 43206-9030  
(614) 645.5263  
(614) 645-6675  [FAX] 

Planning Division   
111 N. Front Street, 3rd Floor   
Columbus, OH 43215-9030   
(614) 724.4437 
(614) 645.6675 [FAX] - learn more

Residential Tax Incentives

Program Guidelines NOTICE:  We have transitioned to an online application system.  Click here to apply.
Please be advised that program policy updates are coming in August, 2023. Explanation of updates will be forthcoming. Please click here to reference Ordinance 1843-2022.
For additional information, please contact:
Jeremy Druhot      
Office: 614-645-8530        
Email:  [email protected] 

The core principle of The City of Columbus’ housing abatement policy is to foster private sector investment to build mixed income neighborhoods. 
Community Investment Area (CRA) designations approved by City Council are listed below. Each CRA area has various expiration dates and terms.  The program is delineated into two distinct categories, those created prior to July 1994 ("pre-1994") and those created after the law changes went into effect after July 1994.  Click  here to find out if your property is located within an eligible CRA.

Post 94 CRA – NEW CHANGES The City’s existing post-1994 Community Reinvestment Areas will be divided into three categories based on the evaluation of six distress criteria.  Click here to learn more.
The distress criteria represent a mixture of indicators that are measured over a period of time and as a snapshot in time, to give the most accurate picture of neighborhood growth.
All categories will be reevaluated every three years to capture the most accurate and real time changes occurring in the neighborhood.

MARKET READY MAPS: (Areas meeting 1-2 distress criteria)

For more information, click here.

 

READY FOR OPPORTUNITY MAPS: (Areas meeting 5-6 distress criteria)

For more information, click here.

TAX BENEFIT All property owners will continue to pay existing taxes on the property PRIOR to the improvements. The abatement is on the IMPROVED VALUE ONLY. 
The neighborhoods and schools will also benefit. The schools will continue to receive the current, existing property taxes.
Property tax exemptions will be based on increased valuation of the property, due to significant improvements.
EXISTING PROPERTY TAXES WILL CONTINUE TO BE PAID

To apply for a CRA tax incentive:

Certification consists of a two-phase application process:  Phase 1 (Pre-construction) and Phase 2 (Post Construction).  Both applications must be submitted to complete the application process even if the project has been completed (see link above for online application). Please click here for the current Fee Schedule

We have developed documents to assist in your application: for the Description of Work, click here. For the Notarized Cost Summary, click here.

WHAT IMPROVEMENTS QUALIFY:  Improvements made under a City–issued construction permit that affect the assessed value of a property. Not all improvements will change the value of a property as determined by County evaluators. Only those applications that include a building permit will be reviewed for eligibility.

City staff will email acknowledgment of receipt and then will notify applicant of deficiency list or confirmation of Conditional or Final approval.  A complete and accurate application will increase the efficiency of the approval. 

After the improvements are completed, the City of Columbus certifies the completed work to the Franklin County Auditor. The Auditor makes a determination of the increase in value and tax amounts. The value of the increase will be exempted from property tax. For questions regarding specific abatement values please contact the Franklin County Auditor's office at  www.franklincountyauditor.com.