Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Ohio (2026)
14 rules on the books across Ohio, 13 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Density Bonus Law
California Density Bonus Law (Gov Code §65915) and local implementations granting up to 50% density bonuses for affordable-housing projects.
Downtown Design Guide
LA's Downtown Design Guide and Community Plan governing high-rise massing, ground-floor activation, and adaptive-reuse standards in DTLA.
Canton
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Canton, Ohio, any exterior architectural alteration, construction, or demolition within the downtown…
Read full rule →Cleveland
Significant RestrictionsCleveland requires City Planning Commission design approval before a building permit issues for new construction and…
Read full rule →Columbus
Significant RestrictionsThe Downtown Commission reviews new construction, additions and demolition in Columbus's Downtown District against…
Read full rule →Elyria
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Elyria, Ohio, Chapter 1183 of the Codified Ordinances requires Planning Commission design review for new…
Read full rule →Marion
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Marion, Ohio, changes to property in the Downtown Design District need a certificate of appropriateness…
Read full rule →Middletown
Significant RestrictionsNew construction and building renovations in the UC (Urban Core) District of the City of Middletown, Ohio must follow…
Read full rule →Youngstown
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Youngstown, Ohio, Chapter 1102 requires the Design Review Committee to review all new construction…
Read full rule →Cincinnati
Some RestrictionsCincinnati's Downtown Development District regulations, Zoning Code Chapter 1411, set mandatory design standards for…
Read full rule →Dayton
Some RestrictionsDayton's zoning code imposes mandatory building-design standards on new construction and renovations in the Downtown…
Read full rule →Medina
Some RestrictionsMedina's Planning Commission reviews new construction and building renovations under citywide design standards in…
Read full rule →Oregon
Some RestrictionsThe City of Oregon, Ohio layers a Main Street design code onto the Navarre Avenue and Dustin Road corridor through the…
Read full rule →Springfield
Some RestrictionsSpringfield's Downtown (C-DT) zoning district under § 1110.04 splits downtown into Core and Edge sub-districts with…
Read full rule →Toledo
Some RestrictionsToledo's -DO Downtown Overlay District requires Plan Commission review of exterior work costing over $250,000 (or 25%…
Read full rule →