Columbus City Zoning Code

This Article provides standards which apply to all development in the City regulated by zoning districts established in this Title. If there is a conflict between any standards in this Title, the provisions of Article G (Citywide Standards) supersede the provisions of Article E (District Regulations) and Article F (Supplemental District Standards).

1. This Chapter provides standards which apply to all development regulated in this Title, including standards for lighting, landscaping, screening and graphics.

2. The provisions of G.20.060 (Graphics Standards) within this Chapter do not apply to parcels with 2024 Zoning Code district designations falling under the review authority of the German Village Commission, Historic Resources Commission, Italian Village Commission, and Victorian Village Commission as outlined in Title 31.

3. The provisions of G.20.060 (Graphics Standards) within this Chapter do not apply to parcels with 2024 Zoning Code designations falling under the review authority of the East Franklinton Review Board as outlined in Chapter 3323 (East Franklinton District) and the University Impact District Review Board as outlined in Chapter 3325 (University District Zoning Overlav).

4. This Chapter provides standards and the exclusive process by which all Gateway Digital Graphics are regulated for parcels with either Title 33 Zoning Code or 2024 Zoning Code district designations. Furthermore, Gateway Digital Graphics are not subject to the review authority of the German Village Commission, Historic Resources Commission, Italian Village Commission, or Victorian Village Commission as outlined in Title 31 nor the review authority of the East Franklinton Review Board as outlined in Chapter 3323 (East Franklinton District or Overlay) the University Impact District Review Board as outlined in Chapter 3325 (University District Zoning Overlay), or the Downtown Commission as outlined in Chapter 3359.

A. Light fixtures in all zoning districts except CAC and RAC Districts must not exceed 18 feet in height from grade.

B. Light fixtures within the CAC and RAC Districts must not exceed a maximum height of 28 feet measured from grade, except those fixtures within 100 feet of a Residential District must not exceed 18 feet in height.

C. Shielding

1. Light fixtures up to 14 feet in height must be shielded to prevent upward lighting.

2. Light fixtures taller than 14 feet in height must be fully shielded with recessed lamps directed away from abutting properties and directed downward to prevent glare and shine above the horizontal plane.

3. Canopy lighting must be recessed within the canopy or use an opaque shield around all sides of the light.

D. Any parking lot containing 10 or more parking spaces, which is used during non-daylight hours, must be illuminated.

E. For aesthetic compatibility, light fixtures in parking lots must be of the same or similar type and color.

F. Light fixtures must be placed in parking lot islands or solid bases to protect both lights and vehicles from possible damage.

G. Decorative/Architectural Lighting

1. Accent lighting, down-lighting, and up-lighting may be used on buildings, so long as the lighting does not shine beyond the extents of the building walls, and the light source is concealed from view.

2. String lighting may be used to illuminate patios, porches, and walkways.

A. Development Site Landscape Requirements

1. Where a front and/or side street building setback of five feet or greater is provided, the area between the building facade and the adjacent front and/or side street parcel line must be landscaped per requirements in Table G.20.030.A (Development Site Landscape Requirements).

Table G.20.030.A: Development Site Landscape Requirements

2. The percent calculated shall be based on the area of parcel between the maximum front setback and the front parcel line, minus the building footprint, frontages, patios, and/or walkways within the applicable area. See Figure G.20.030.1 for reference.

Figure G.20.030.1: Identifying Applicable Area Required to be Landscaped

Key

• ROW/Parcel Line (dash-dot line)
• Max. Front Setback per Base Zoning District (dashed line)
• Total Applicable Area to Calculate Percent Landscape Required (pink)
• (A) Building Footprint
• (B) Frontage Type Footprint
• (C) Patio

B. Residential Landscape Buffer

1. Except in cases of required headlight screening and approved vehicular access, a landscaped buffer must be provided between the UGN-1, UGN-2, CAC, and RAC districts and an abutting Residential District.

2. Landscape buffers must provide a minimum depth of 5 feet and include a continuous hedge row of shrubs. A solid, masonry wall of 2 to 3 feet in height or a continuous solid fence up to 6 feet in height may be included in addition to the landscaping requirement. Chain link fencing is prohibited.

3. In RAC, the landscape buffer must provide a minimum depth of 15 feet including 8 evergreen trees for every 100 feet of length, spaced evenly in a single row. If a solid fence is provided at least 6 foot in height, the evergreens may be replaced with shade trees provided at a rate of 6 shade trees for every 100 feet of length. Chain link fencing is prohibited.

4. Residential landscape buffers must be a minimum of 36 inches in height and have a minimum year round opacity of 75 percent. Along streets and open spaces, residential landscape buffers must not exceed a height of 48 inches.

5. Areas used for vision clearance per Section G.20.050 (Vision Clearance) are exempt from residential landscape buffers.

6. Trees located in this buffer may be counted towards the required dwelling unit trees.

C. Dwelling Unit Trees. Dwelling unit trees are required in the CAC and RAC Districts at a rate of one tree per 10 dwelling units, or fraction thereof, and may be located anywhere on the site. Dwelling unit trees must be native species, deciduous or evergreen, with a minimum two-inch caliper at the time of planting.

D. Parking Lot Shade Trees

1. Parking lot shade trees are required at a rate of one tree per 10 surface parking spaces, or fraction thereof, and must be dispersed proportionately throughout the parking areas that they serve.

2. Shade trees required for surface parking lots with 20 parking spaces or less must be placed along its immediate perimeter or anywhere within the parking lot.

3. At least 50 percent, or fraction thereof, of shade trees required for surface parking lots with 21 or more parking spaces must be placed on islands or peninsulas within the parking lot area. The remaining parking lot shade trees may be located along its immediate perimeter or anywhere within the parking lot.

4. Parking lot shade trees must be deciduous with a minimum two-inch caliper at the time of planting.

5. Parking lot shade trees must have a minimum soil radius of four feet and a minimum soil area of 145 square feet, with an average soil depth greater than or equal to three feet.

6. Planting beds for parking lot shade trees must be arranged and constructed with suitable curbing materials to minimize damage to tree trunks and roots from vehicles, pedestrians, and parking lot maintenance.

E. General to All Landscaping

1. When used to meet a required landscaping or screening provision, plants must have a minimum size at the time of planting as follows:

a. Two-inch caliper for a deciduous tree;

b. One-and-one-half-inch caliper for an ornamental tree;

c. Four-foot height for a conifer or evergreen tree.

2. All plants must be maintained in a healthy live state and must be replaced as needed to comply with this Section. Landscaping and screening plants that die must be replaced during the current or next planting season.

A. Headlight Screening

1. Except in cases of approved vehicular driveway access, headlight screening must be provided between all parking areas (parking spaces, maneuvering areas, and drive aisles) and adjacent streets, open spaces, and Residential Zoning Districts within 80 feet.

a. Along streets and open spaces, headlight screening must consist of a combination of landscape shrubs and a metal tube fence or masonry wall. Chain link fencing is prohibited.

b. Screening between parking areas and neighboring Residential Zoning Districts can either consist of a combination of landscape shrubs with metal tube fencing or masonry walls, or a wood privacy fence. Chain link fencing is prohibited.

2. Headlight screening must be located within a landscaped area with a minimum width of four feet.

3. Headlight screening must be a minimum of 36 inches in height and have a minimum year round opacity of 75 percent. Along streets and open spaces, headlight screening must not exceed a height of 48 inches.

B. Dumpster and Bulk Refuse Pick-Up Area Screening

1. Dumpsters (including compactors) and bulk refuse pick-up areas must be located within enclosures that provide 100 percent opaque screening on all sides.

2. Screening must be provided to at least the height of the dumpster or bulk refuse container or area.

3. Screening must be provided using any combination of fencing, walls, landscaping, and adjacent building facades. Chain link fencing is prohibited.

4. Dumpster and bulk refuse pick-up area enclosures are subject to minimum building setback requirements and must not be located between a principal building and an adjacent front or side street.

C. Screening of Mechanical and Utility Equipment

1. All heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other building mechanical systems and equipment or other utility hardware on the roof of a building must be screened to the height of the equipment to prevent the equipment from being visible from any adjacent street, public space, or Residential Zoning District. Decorative cornices may be used for screening. The material used to screen the equipment must be consistent with the materials and colors used on the building.

2. Mechanical or other utility equipment on the ground must be fully screened to the height of the equipment by a wall, fence, landscape material, or a combination thereof to prevent the equipment from being visible from any adjacent street, open space, or Residential Zoning District. Fences and walls used to screen equipment must use materials and colors consistent with those used on the nearest building. Chain link fencing is prohibited. Whenever live plants are installed, alone or in combination with other materials for the purposes of this Section, the plants must be selected to achieve the height equal to the height of the equipment, and a density not less than 75 percent opacity within three years of planting.

3. Equipment directly related to the collection of solar energy, or other mechanical equipment components including hot boxes, meter pits, transformer boxes, and EV charging dispensers, are not required to be screened.

A. Minimum acceptable vision clearance standards for motorist and pedestrian safety at vehicular access points along streets are established by restricting the placement, opacity, height, and configuration of any fence, wall, planting, or other obstruction, as follows:

1. Vision Clearance for Driveways to Parking Lots: An owner must maintain unobstructed vision clearance between the elevations of 2.5 to 10 feet above the driveway grade within "clear vision triangles," which are two ten-foot, right-angle triangles formed by the intersection of a driveway pavement edge, and street right-of-way line.

2. Vision Clearance at Intersections of Streets and Alleys: An owner must maintain unobstructed vision clearance between the elevations of 2.5 to 10 feet above the alley grade within a "clear vision triangle," which is a single ten-foot, right-angle triangle formed by the intersection of an alley right-way line, and street right-of-way line.

A. Except as provided in this Section, graphics within the Mixed-Use Districts must comply with the standards provided in Chapter 3375 (General Provisions) and Chapter 3377 (On-Premises Signs in Institutional, Commercial, and Manufacturing Districts).

B. In addition to signs prohibited in Chapter 33/5 (General Provisions), and unless otherwise specifically provided for in this Section, the following types of signs are not allowed: off-premises signs, billboards, signs with flashing lights or bare bulbs, rotating signs, pole signs, automatic changeable copy signs, bench signs, and roof signs.

C. Ground Signs

1. A development parcel is allowed one ground sign along each abutting street.

2. The sign base must be monument style, and must be integral to the overall sign design and complement the design of the building.

3. The minimum setback for a ground sign must be equal to the district's minimum building setback standard or 15 feet whichever is less. Required vision clearance must be maintained.

4. The height of a ground sign must not exceed six feet above grade in the UGN-1, UGN-2, UCT, and UCR Districts.

5. The height of a ground sign must not exceed 12 feet above grade in the CAC and RAC Districts.

6. When indirectly lighting a ground sign, the light source must be screened from motorist view.

D. Menu boards are only allowed as an accessory to a pickup unit subject to the following standards:

1. Each order point may provide an aggregate area of up to 30 square feet for menu boards.

2. Menu boards must not be located between the building and a street right-of-way.

3. Menu boards must not be located within 50 feet of a Residential Zoning District.

4. Freestanding menu boards must not exceed a height of six feet from grade.

5. Menu boards are not subject to this Section's restrictions regarding automatic changeable copy. However, images and messages displayed must be static and the transition from one static display to another must be instantaneous to the human eye without any transition effects (e.g., wipes, fades, or other special effects).

E. Gateway Digital Graphics

1. Intent – This Division provides the standards and requirements designed to limit the frequency, intensity, and spacing of Gateway Digital Graphic locations. Additionally, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, these regulations establish the exclusive process by which Gateway Digital Graphics are reviewed and approved.

2. Definitions

a. "Gateway Area" means the Downtown District as provided for in Chapter 3359 or within one mile from the Downtown District boundary.

b. "Gateway Digital Graphic" means a permanent, illuminated digital graphic that is affixed to a building located in the Gateway Area and functions as an on-premises or off-premises sign. Gateway Digital Graphics must be principally oriented towards an interstate highway or "controlled access highway" as defined in Section 4511.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.

3. Size and Intensity Standards

a. A Gateway Digital Graphic shall be affixed to a building and shall not be a stand-alone sign.

b. A Gateway Digital Graphic may have up to 2 faces.

c. The minimum size for each allowable facing of a Gateway Digital Graphic shall be 1,000 square feet.

d. The maximum size for each allowable facing of a Gateway Digital Graphic shall be 1,200 square feet.

e. Sign area excludes allowed embellishments and owner/erector's identification.

4. Location Requirements

a. Gateway Digital Graphics shall be located on property that is zoned to allow commercial. industrial or mixed-use uses but may be in either Title 33 Zoning Code or 2024 Zoning Code district designations. Any planning or limitation overlays or areas of special graphics control existing on the property do not apply to Gateway Digital Graphics.

b. Gateway Digital Graphics must be located in the Gateway Area and must be principally oriented towards an interstate highway or “controlled access highway” as defined in Section 4511.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.

c. A maximum of six (6) Gateway Digital Graphics locations shall be authorized.

d. A Gateway Digital Graphic that meets the requirements of this Division may be erected and maintained within 660 feet of any right-of-way line of an interstate system or "controlled access highway", as defined in Section 4511.01 of the Ohio Revised Code, that is located in the Gateway Area, subject to the issuance of a Special Permit as required herein and in conformance with the requirements of the Ohio Department of Transportation ("ODOT"). In accordance with ODOT regulations, if ODOT mandates the removal of a Gateway Digital Graphic, and all legal and administrative remedies have been exhausted, the owner of said Gateway Digital Graphic shall remove the Gateway Digital Graphic and be solely responsible for any and all costs incurred in connection with its removal.

5. Spacing Requirements

a. Each Gateway Digital Graphic shall be separated from every other Gateway Digital Graphic by no less than 1,200 feet, measured along the radius beginning at the center of the proposed Gateway Digital Graphic and extending to a point nearest to the center of any other approved Gateway Digital Graphic.

b. Gateway Digital Graphics with faces directed at the same orientation of traffic and on the same side of the roadway shall be separated by at least one mile, measured along the radius beginning at the center of the proposed Gateway Digital Graphic and extending to a point nearest to the center of every other approved Gateway Digital Graphic.

6. Illumination and special effects of Gateway Digital Graphics

a. Each Gateway Digital Graphic shall a display a static image for a minimum of eight seconds. The transition from one static display to another must be instantaneous to the human eye without any transition effects. Transition effects include wipes, fades, or other special effects.

b. Each Gateway Digital Graphic shall be equipped with a light sensing device that automatically adjusts the brightness of the graphic as ambient light conditions change.

c. Each Gateway Digital Graphic shall be operated with monitoring that shall either turn off the display, or show a full black image on the display, in the event of a malfunction that affects more than 50 percent of the graphic face.

d. No Gateway Digital Graphic shall exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light as measured using a foot-candle (Lux) meter at a pre-set as established by the following procedure:

i. At least 30 minutes past sunset, record the ambient light while the sign is off or displaying all black copy, or with the sign's illumination blocked.

ii. The light meter shall be held five feet above the finished grade in front of the Gateway Digital Graphic

iii. The meter shall be aimed toward the center of the Gateway Digital Graphic face.

iv. From the same location, a second reading shall be recorded while the Gateway Digital Graphic display is on and not blocked.

v. The measurement distance shall be 300' from the Gateway Digital Graphic face.

vi. If the difference between the measurements is 0.3 foot candles or less, the brightness is properly adjusted; otherwise, the Gateway Digital Graphic must be adjusted to comply with the brightness adjustment standard set forth above.

e. Auditory effects, including music, shall not be permitted as part of any Gateway Digital Graphic display.

7. Installation and permit requirements

a. In accordance with the provisions of Chapters 3381 and 3383, a certificate of zoning clearance and an installation permit shall be required prior to the installation or re-facing of a Gateway Digital Graphic.

b. Each Gateway Digital Graphic shall be identified with the owner's or the erector's name. An owner/erector's identification placard shall be placed directly below the graphic face and the placard shall have a maximum area of 65 square feet.

c. Each application for a Gateway Digital Graphic installation permit shall be accompanied by an affidavit, signed by the property owner, which shall specify that the applicant has exclusive permission to erect and maintain the Gateway Digital Graphic for which the installation permit is requested.

d. An installation permit shall expire one year after the date of issuance.

e. Prior to removing any existing Gateway Digital Graphic, the owner or the general or limited sign erector employed to remove same shall submit a written notice of removal to the Director.

f. A Special Permit from the graphics commission shall be required for Gateway Digital Graphics. Gateway Digital Graphics shall not require any certificate of appropriateness, certificate of approval, or clearance from any other review board or commission.

i. The graphics commission shall grant a Special Permit for a Gateway Digital Graphic where it is shown that the Special Permit can be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and public safety, and without substantial impairment of the general purpose and intent of the zoning district in which the Gateway Digital Graphic is proposed to be located.

ii. In granting a Special Permit, the graphics commission may impose such requirements and conditions regarding the location and features of the proposed Gateway Digital Graphic, as well as such special conditions as may be necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this Division and to otherwise safeguard the public safety and welfare.

iii. The graphics commission shall have authority to review and to revoke any Special Permit when a condition of the Special Permit has been found to have been violated. The applicant shall be notified of a violation of the Special Permit and be given an opportunity to be heard and to conform the use to the Special Permit conditions prior to any revocation.

This Chapter is intended to promote the policy priorities of the City through the provision of additional development capacity in the form of increased building heights beyond the limit established in the base zoning district.

Affordable Housing Height Bonus Applicant. An individual or corporation established under Ohio law or authorized to transact business in Ohio that intends to build a Development Project as a Project Sponsor, in accordance with the City's Community Reinvestment Area ("CRA") Program and §5321.19(B) (Effect of Chapter on Political Subdivisions) of the Ohio Revised Code, that has submitted an application seeking a Height Bonus as provided in this Chapter.

Affordable Housing Height Bonus Program Participant. An Affordable Housing Height Bonus applicant that has been approved by both the Department of Development and Department of Building and Zoning Services for the Height Bonus described in this Chapter.

Development Projects. Has the same meaning as applied in Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy).

Director. Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services or designee.

Height Bonus. Additional stories allowed for buildings located in specified zoning districts in the 2024 Zoning Code in conjunction with a commitment to provide for affordable housing in accordance with the City's CRA Program.

Letter of Eligibility. A letter from the Department of Development advising an Applicant of the Area Designation in which the proposed Development Project parcels are located and what the Affordable Housing Unit Requirements will be for the project.

For additional definitions of terms used in this Chapter, see Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy).

A. A Height Bonus is available to an Affordable Housing Height Bonus applicant that agrees to be bound by the affordability requirements described in the City Residential CRA Program.

B. The rules governing the Citywide CRA program related to this Chapter are found in Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy) and the applicable Rules and Regulations of the Director of the Department of Development.

C. Nothing in this Chapter will limit the applicability of any provision in Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy) or §3735.65 to .70 of the Ohio Revised Code.

D. Participation in the Height Bonus Program is voluntary; Project Sponsors approved under Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy) are not required to seek the Height Bonus.

E. The Height Bonus Program will only be applied in conjunction with the City's CRA Program as established in Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy), except for provisions relating to a fee-in-lieu, in accordance with §3735.65-.70 of the Ohio Revised Code and as further provided in Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Director of the Department of Development.

F. The property for which the Height Bonus is requested must be located within a zoning district included in Table G.30.060.A (Allowed Affordable Height Bonus by District) of this Chapter.

A. The Department of Development has the authority and responsibility for implementing the affordable housing requirements and administering the City CRA Program standards as described in Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy) and as further provided in Rules and Regulations of the Director of the Department of Development.

B. The Department of Building and Zoning Services will administer the Height Bonus Program and issue all applicable zoning and building permits.

C. In exercising authority under this Chapter, the Director may consult with other City departments regarding issues within such departments' areas of expertise and will, with respect to the affordable housing requirements and CRA standards under Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy) or other applicable law, cooperate with the Department of Development.

A. An Affordable Housing Height Bonus applicant must indicate a Height Bonus on a form approved by the Director. Applicant must submit a preliminary site compliance plan for the Development Project along with the Application. The plan shall include a data table showing the proposed total number of units, proposed number of affordable units with bedroom counts, and proposed number of bonus stories.

B. The Director is authorized to promulgate Rules and Regulations to establish a process to review Height Bonus applications and plans.

C. A Letter of Eligibility from the Department of Development must be submitted with the engineering plans for final site compliance review of the Height Bonus Development Project.

The maximum Height Bonus allowed for Development Projects is provided in Table G.30.060.A (Allowed Affordable Height Bonus by District):

Table G.30.060.A: Allowed Affordable Height Bonus by District

^1 A bonus story must not exceed 12 feet.

A. Monitoring and Annual Report. The Affordable Housing Height Bonus Program participant must comply with all monitoring and reporting requirements of the City CRA Program as outlined in Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy), Department of Development Rules, or other applicable law.

B. Noncompliance. Failure by the Affordable Height Bonus Program participant to comply with the provisions of the City CRA Program as described in Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy), Department of Development Rules, or other applicable law will result in a determination of noncompliance. Properties deemed to be noncompliant will be subject to applicable penalties, including revocation of the tax abatement provided in Chapter 4565 (Affordable Housing and Community Reinvestment Area Incentive Policy), Department of Development Rules, or other applicable law.