Columbus Planning

In 2025, resident engagement with the Zone In team helped build the Columbus Growth Strategy, which established the policy foundation for Zone In. Engagement focused on three broad land use categories: Mixed Use, Industrial & Warehouse, and Business & Institutional Campuses. City Council adopted the Columbus Growth Strategy and its associated Land Use Map in January 2026. The Zone In team is now developing the zoning districts that will implement these policy categories.

Check out this video update from the Planning Division, walking you through what we've accomplished so far and where we are headed during this next phase of Zone In work.

City of Columbus Planning Division Zone In Phase 2 Update

Following a thorough and deliberate review, the City of Columbus is pausing the Big Darby Accord Amendment process to allow for more coordination and consideration with our Accord partners. We look forward to advancing the draft Amendment this fall because we believe it is the right plan for the Big Darby watershed.

For the last 18 months, Mayor Ginther and his administration have led Columbus’ participation alongside our Accord partners in a transparent, inclusive and collaborative public process to create a stronger plan for the Darby. We’ve learned and listened together, in close partnership with Columbus City Council.

Guided by our shared priorities, the draft Amendment creates more open space, protects clean water and biodiversity, and supports the sustainable, affordable housing our region desperately needs.

To further test these protections, some jurisdictions have expressed interest in reviewing additional analysis from ODNR, which is expected this fall. This pause will create space to review that additional information and proceed with confidence, as partners, ultimately demonstrating that this is the best plan for Franklin County.

Mayor Ginther and the City of Columbus remain committed to the Accord and to advancing a final amendment that protects what makes the Big Darby watershed special, today and for generations to come. We will continue to work closely with our Accord jurisdictions and Columbus City Council, just as we have for the last 18 months.

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How will 2026 Community Engagement affect Zone In?

In 2025, resident engagement with the Zone In team helped build the Columbus Growth Strategy, which established the policy foundation for Zone In Phase 2. As a result, the city made over 19k changes to the proposed map based off public comments and community engagement. City Council adopted the Columbus Growth Strategy and its associated Land Use Map in January 2026.

The Zone In team is now developing the zoning districts that will implement this policy. Throughout the summer of 2026, we will engage with residents to determine which zoning districts support job growth, build more housing and foster prosperity citywide.

These new districts could include districts that were created in 2024 under Zone In Phase 1 or the creation of new districts specific to Zone In Phase 2: Economic & Housing Opportunities.

Your comments will have an impact, so follow us on social media and visit columbus.gov/zoningupdate for opportunities to engage with us in this process.

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We’ll be in your neighborhood next week, and we want to hear from you!

The City of Columbus is conducting its Fair Housing Assessment. This process evaluates barriers to housing choice and helps guide how federal housing funds are invested to expand access and opportunity across neighborhoods.

This work supports and strengthens Mayor Ginther’s broader housing strategy, including investments in housing stability, affordability and neighborhood vitality.

Visit bit.ly/columbusfairhousing to find out more and sign up for a workshop on March 9, 10, 11 or 12.

All are welcome to attend any session—the content at each workshop will be the same. Pizza and beverages will be provided.

On Monday, January 26th, the City of Columbus made history by formally adopting the Columbus Growth Strategy — the first-ever citywide land use policy and map. This marks a major milestone in how Columbus plans for growth, development and opportunity in the years ahead.

The Growth Strategy was developed through extensive community engagement as part of the Zone In Columbus initiative. Since last summer, thousands of residents have shared their input through surveys, workshops, pop-ups, presentations and a formal public comment period — helping to shape both the Growth Strategy and the future of our city.
By adopting the Growth Strategy, Columbus now has a unified, citywide framework to guide land use decisions, replacing a patchwork of outdated neighborhood maps with a consistent approach that reflects today’s conditions and future needs.

Specifically, the Growth Strategy:
• Provides a clear policy foundation for future zoning and development decisions,
• Encourages economic opportunity, housing options and connected neighborhoods,
• Helps align land use with transportation, jobs, community amenities and infrastructure, and
• Sets expectations for how mixed-use corridors, industrial and warehouse areas, and business and institutional campuses should evolve over time.

It is important to note that the adoption of the Growth Strategy does not change zoning rules today. Instead, it establishes the policy foundation that will guide the next round of zoning code updates as Zone In continues. In the coming months, our team will continue working with residents, stakeholders, neighborhood leaders and community partners to advance the current phase of Zone In and further modernize Columbus’ 70-year-old zoning code.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to engage and help shape this historic moment for our city. Your voices helped build a foundation that will guide growth and opportunity for years to come.

To learn more about the Columbus Growth Strategy and what’s next, visit columbus.gov/zoningupdate.

Residents are also invited to share questions about the Growth Strategy or upcoming zoning updates by emailing [email protected].