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Columbus City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 3309

ZONING MAP AND ZONING MAP DISTRICTS

3309.01 - Digital zoning map establishment, interpretation and maintenance.

Columbus city council has adopted the Official Zoning Map (also known as the "Digital Zoning Map" or "Zoning Map") in digital form and deems the Digital Zoning Map to be the Official Zoning Map for the city of Columbus. This map contains the districts as described in the 2024 Zoning Code and conforms to provisions of the 2024 Zoning Code and all ordinances and laws related to zoning that are now in effect and which in the future may be in effect. This map also contains the districts and all overlay boundaries as described in this Zoning Code and conforms to provisions of this Zoning Code and all ordinances and laws related to zoning that are now in effect and which in the future may be in effect.

The repository for the Official Zoning Map, in any form including digital, is the Department. Responsibility for maintenance of the Official Zoning Map is established in the Department.

The Director has the authority to determine what districts an unnamed use is of similar enough character and nature to warrant inclusion in and may publish such determinations. The Director also has the authority to make determinations as to district boundaries when a conflict exists in determining exact district boundaries as indicated on the Official Zoning Map.

(Ord. 577-84; Ord. 1272-01 § 1 (part); Ord. 179-03 § 1; Ord. 1284-04 § 3; Ord. No. 0830-2024, § 1, 3-25-2024)

3309.02 - Zoning map districts.

The area, height, overlay and use districts as designated in this Zoning Code, and the 2024 Zoning Code will be part of the Zoning Map.

(Ord. 1368-81; Ord. 179-03 § 2; Ord. No. 0830-2024, § 1, 3-25-2024)

3309.03 - Establishment of districts; rezoning to the 2024 Zoning Code.

For the purpose of this Zoning Code, the city is divided into classes of use districts, height districts and area districts as provided for by this Zoning Code and as may be indicated in Title 33. Property legislatively rezoned from a Zoning Code district to a 2024 Zoning Code district pursuant to this chapter are divided into districts as provided for in the 2024 Zoning Code, found in Title 34 of the Columbus City Codes.

(Ord. 1368-81; Ord. No. 1871-2023, § 1, 7-31-2023; Ord. No. 0830-2024, § 1, 3-25-2024)

3309.04 - Multiple use districts.

The following multiple districts are established and their designating symbols shall be:

Planned Community District .....PC

Downtown District .....DD

East Franklinton District .....EFD

Traditional Neighborhood Development .....NE, NG, NC, TC

(Ord. 1368-81; Ord. No. 1871-2023, § 1, 7-31-2023)

3309.05 - Residential use districts.

There are hereby established the following residential use districts and their designating symbols shall be:

Rural District .....R

Limited Rural Residential District .....LRR

Restricted Rural Residential District .....RR

Rural Residential District .....RR

Suburban Residential District .....SR

R-1 Residential District .....R-1

R-2 Residential District .....R-2

R-3 Residential District .....R-3

R-2F Residential District .....R-2F

R-4 Residential District .....R-4

MHD Manufactured Home Development District .....MHD

(Ord. 1049-88.)

3309.06 - Apartment residential use districts.

There are hereby established the following apartment residential use districts and their designating symbols shall be:

AR-12 Apartment Residential-12 District .....AR-12

ARLD Apartment Residential Low Density District .....ARLD

AR-1 Apartment-Residential District .....AR-1

AR-2 Apartment Residential District .....AR-2

AR-3 Apartment Residential District .....AR-3

AR-4 Apartment Residential District .....AR-4

AR-O Apartment Residential District .....AR-O

(Ord. 1368-81.)

3309.07 - Manufactured home park district.

There is hereby established the following manufactured home park use district and its designating symbol shall be:

Manufactured Home Park District .....MHP

(Ord. 2170-89.)

3309.08 - Planned residential and multi-family use districts.

There are hereby established the following planned residential and multi-family use districts and their designating symbols shall be:

Planned Unit Development-2 District .....PUD-2

Planned Unit Development-4 District .....PUD-4

Planned Unit Development-6 District .....PUD-6

Planned Unit Development-8 District .....PUD-8

Planned Community District .....PC

(Ord. 1049-88.)

3309.09 - Institutional use district.

There is hereby established the following institutional use district and its designating symbol shall be:

Institutional District .....I

(Ord. 1368-81.)

3309.10 - Commercial use districts.

The following commercial use district are established and their designating symbols shall be:

C-1 Commercial District .....C-1

C-2 Commercial District .....C-2

C-3 Commercial District .....C-3

C-4 Commercial District .....C-4

C-5 Commercial District .....C-5

Commercial Planned Development District .....CPD

(Ord. 1368-81; Ord. No. 1871-2023, § 1, 7-31-2023)

3309.11 - Manufacturing use districts.

There are hereby established the following manufacturing districts and their designating symbols shall be:

M-2 Manufacturing District .....M-2

M-1 Manufacturing District .....M-1

M Manufacturing District .....M

Excavating & Quarrying District .....EQ

(Ord. 1368-81.)

3309.115 - University-College Research Park district.

Pursuant to Chapter 3374, the University-College Research Park District is hereby established and its designating symbol shall be UCRPD.

(Ord. 1049-88.)

3309.12 - Reserved.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 2111-2024, § 1(Att.), adopted July 29, 2024, repealed § 3309.12, which pertained to flood plain district and derived from Ord. 1368-81.

3309.13 - Parking use districts.

There are hereby established the following parking use districts and their designating symbols shall be:

Private Parking District .....P-1

Public Parking District .....P-2

(Ord. 1368-81.)

3309.131 - Airport Environs overlay.

Upon the establishment of the Airport Environs Overlay on a lot or premises by ordinance of council, a designation of that overlay and all subdistricts shall be included with the designation of the underlying zoning as part of the Official Zoning Map.

(Ord. 2493-95; Ord. 179-03 § 13.)

3309.135 - Limited overlay.

Upon the establishment of a Limited Overlay on a lot or premises by ordinance of Council, a designation of that overlay shall be included with the designation of the underlying zoning as part of the Official Zoning Map.

(Ord. 1852-84; Ord. 179-03 § 14.)

3309.137 - Planning overlay.

Upon the establishment of a Planning Overlay on a lot or premises by ordinance of Council, a designation of that overlay shall be included with the designation of the underlying zoning as part of the Official Zoning Map.

(Ord. 1049-88; Ord. 22 1-99 § 2; Ord. 179-03 § 16.)

3309.139 - Hellbranch Run watershed protection overlay.

Upon the establishment of the Hellbranch Run Watershed protection overlay on a lot or premises by ordinance of council, a designation of that overlay shall be included with the designation of the underlying zoning as part of the official zoning map.

(Ord. 856-02 § 2; Ord. 179-03 § 17.)

3309.14 - Height districts.

There are hereby established the following height districts and their designating symbols shall be:

35-foot height district .....H-35

60-foot height district .....H-60

110-foot height district .....H-110

200-foot height district .....H-200

A.

In a 35-foot height district, designated as H-35, no building or structure shall be erected to a height in excess of 35 feet;

B.

In a 60-foot height district, designated as H-60, no building or structure shall be erected to a height in excess of 60 feet;

C.

In a 110-foot height district, designated as H-110, no building or structure shall be erected to a height in excess of 110 feet;

D.

In a 200-foot height district, designated as H-200, no building or structure shall be erected to a height in excess of 200 feet.

(Ord. 2450-85.)

3309.141 - Basic height district established.

Premises for which no height limitation is specified are classified in the 35 foot height district.

(Ord. 2450-85; Ord. 179-03 § 3.)

3309.142 - Height district exceptions.

The following exceptions to C.C. 3309.14 shall be permitted:

(A)

35 and 60-foot Height Districts. In a 35-foot height district or a 60-foot height district, any portion of a building (excluding free-standing antennas or monopoles) may be erected to a height in excess of the respective height limits as specified in C.C. 3309.14 provided that: in an institutional, commercial or manufacturing district such portion of such building is set back from all required set back lines one foot for each one foot of such additional height; and in a residential or an apartment residential district such portion of such building is set back from all required set back lines two feet for each one foot of such additional height.

(B)

110- and 200-foot Height Districts. In a 110-foot height district or a 200-foot height district any portion of a building (excluding free-standing antennas or monopoles) may be erected to a height in excess of the respective height limits as specified in C.C. 3309.14 provided that such portion of such building is set back from all required set back lines one foot for each two feet of such additional height.

(C)

Rooftop telecommunication installations not taller than 20 feet for receiving or transmitting wireless telecommunications and not regulated by C.C. 3309.145 may, where concealment inside the existing structure is not possible, be erected on:

a.

Buildings or structures 60 feet or more in height in a residential or apartment zoning district as allowed by code without regard to additional set back requirements of the underlying height district,

b.

Buildings or structures 50 feet or more height in all other zoning districts as allowed by code without regard to additional set back requirements of the underlying height district.

The following provision shall apply:

1.

At no time shall any antenna have affixed or attached to it in any way any lights, reflectors, signs, banners, graphics, or other illumination device, except as required by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Federal Communication Commission. All exterior finishes shall be, unless otherwise required, matched to the supporting building or structure's exterior color and finish to appear unobtrusive.

2.

If the building or structure is listed on the Columbus Register of Historic Properties, or is included in an architectural review commission area, the antenna's placement shall be subject to approval by the appropriate architectural review commission.

(Ord. 552-88; Ord. 90-98 § 5.)

3309.145 - Thirty-five foot height district exception.

(A)

An antenna as defined in C.C. 3303.01 for private, noncommercial radio communication may be erected up to a maximum height of 60 feet as an exception to C.C. 3309.14(A) provided such antenna complies with the following conditions:

(1)

The base of any such antenna which exceeds 35 feet in height shall be set back from all property lines one foot for every foot such antenna exceeds 35 feet. The height shall be measured vertically from the grade level to the uppermost point of the antenna and in no case shall such height exceed 60 feet nor shall such antenna be capable of exceeding the maximum height allowable under this paragraph.

(2)

No more than one such antenna over 35 feet in height shall exist at any one time on any one lot.

(3)

Neither the antenna nor any of its appurtenant parts shall be located in a front yard or required side yard area.

(4)

Prior to installation, the property owner shall first obtain:

(a)

A certificate of appropriateness from the architectural review commission having jurisdiction, if any.

(b)

A certificate of zoning clearance; and

(c)

A building permit;

(5)

The proposed installation shall at all times be in full compliance with the Columbus City Codes, the Ohio Basic Building Code and the National Electrical Code.

(6)

No part of any communication antenna or its appurtenant parts including, but not limited to, lines, guys and braces, shall at any time extend across or over any part of the public right-of-way or any property line.

(7)

No antenna shall have affixed or attached to it in any way except during reasonable time of repair or installation any lights, reflectors, flashers, or other illumination device, except as required by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Federal Communications Commission; or any sign, platform, catwalk, crow's nest, or like structure.

(8)

Any ground supported antenna shall be protected to discourage climbing thereon by unauthorized persons.

(B)

An antenna as defined in city codes 3303.01 for private, noncommercial radio communication may be erected to a height of more than 60 feet but not more than 75 feet as an exception to city codes 3309.14(A) provided such antenna complies with the following conditions:

(1)

The base of any such antenna which exceeds 60 feet in height shall be set back from all property lines one foot for every foot of the antenna's height. The height shall be measured vertically from the grade level to the uppermost point of the antenna;

(2)

The antenna complies with all provisions of A(2) through (8) above.

(Ord. 2429-85; Ord. 1132-2008 Attach. (part).)

3309.148 - Area districts.

There are hereby established the following area districts and their designating symbols and maximum density as defined in Chapter 3303 shall be:

District Symbol Maximum Density (dwelling units)
R-Rural Area R one per five acres
LRR Area LRR one per acre
RRR Area RRR one per 20,000 sq. ft.
RR Area RR one per 10,000 sq. ft.
SR Area SR one per 7,200 sq. ft.
R-1 Area R-1 one per 7,200 sq. ft.
R-2 Area R-2 one per 5,000 sq. ft.
R-3 Area R-3 one per 5,000 sq. ft.
R-2F Area R-2F one per 6,000 sq. ft. for single-family; one per 3,600 sq. ft. for 1 story two-family; one per 3,000 sq. ft. for 2 story two-family.
R-4 Area R-4 one per 5,000 sq. ft. for single-family; one per 2,500 sq. ft. for multi-family.
AR-12 Area AR-12 one per 3,600 sq. ft.
ARLD Area ARLD one per 2,500 sq. ft.
AR-1 Area AR-1 one per 1,200 sq. ft.
AR-2 Area AR-2 one per 800 sq. ft.
AR-3 Area AR-3 unrestricted for new construction only
AR-4 Area AR-4 one per 1,200 sq. ft.
AR-O Area AR-O unrestricted for new construction only
MHD Area MHD one per 7,200 sq. ft.
MHP Area MHP six per acre
PUD-2 Area PUD-2 two per acre
PUD-4 Area PUD-4 four per acre
PUD-6 Area PUD-6 six per acre
PUD-8 Area PUD-8 eight per acre
PC Area PC fourteen per acre

 

(Ord. 1049-88.)

3309.15 - Reserved.

Repealed by Ordinance 899-97.

3309.16 - Digital zoning map.

Use district and data tables designated in C.C. 3309.04 through 3309.13 shall be contained in the digital zoning map.

(Ord. 1368-81; Ord. 179-03 § 4.)

3309.17 - Interpretation of zoning district boundaries.

Where uncertainty exists with respect to the boundaries of any zoning district, the following rules shall apply:

A.

Boundaries Follow Streets, Alleys or Highways. Where a district boundary is indicated as approximately following the right-of-way line of a highway, street, or alley, that line is deemed to be the district boundary.

B.

Boundaries Parallel Street, Alley or Right-of-Way Lines. Where a district boundary is indicated as approximately parallel to the right-of-way line of a highway, street or alley, the district boundary shall be deemed as being parallel and at a distance as contained in the digital zoning map. If no distance is given, determination of dimensions will be made by reference to the appropriate zoning case file. If there is no file, the scale contained in the digital zoning map will determine the dimension.

C.

Boundaries Follow Lot Lines. Where a district boundary is indicated as approximately following a lot line, the lot line is deemed to be the boundary.

D.

Boundaries Follow Railroad Lines. Where the boundary of a district follows a railroad line, such boundary is deemed to be located midway between the right-of-way lines of the railroad line.

E.

Boundaries Follow Waterways. Where the boundary of a district follows a stream, lake or other body of water, the boundary line is deemed to be at the limit of the jurisdiction of the city unless otherwise indicated.

F.

Submerged Areas. All areas within the corporate limits which are under water and are not shown as included within any district are subject to all of the regulations of the district which immediately adjoins the water area. If the water area adjoins two or more districts, the boundaries of each district is deemed to extend into the water area in straight lines until they meet boundary lines or extended boundary lines of another district.

G.

District Regulations Apply to All Other Uses. Any area shown on the zoning map as a park, playground, school, cemetery, or water is subject to the zoning regulations of the district in which it is located. In case of doubt, the zoning regulations of the most restrictive adjoining district shall govern.

H.

Property Not Included in District. Premises not specifically included within a district, or which has become a part of the city by annexation, shall automatically be classified as lying and being in the R Rural District or as specified in C.C. 3310.09, Zoning of annexed territory, until the classification is changed by an amendment to the official zoning map as provided by law.

I.

Vacation of Right-of-Way. Whenever any street, alley or other right-of-way is vacated in the manner authorized by law, the zoning district adjoining each side of the street, alley or right-of-way is automatically extended to the center of the vacated area, which is then subject to all regulations of the extended districts.

(Ord. 1738-84; Ord. 2564-00 § 1; Ord. 179-03 § 5.)