Parking overlay.
Columbus City Codes § 3359.27
in effect3359.27 - Parking overlay.
The purpose of the parking overlay is to ensure that when off-street parking is provided it is appropriate to the site and surrounding area and activities.
There are no requirements for off-street parking within the downtown district. However, the design elements of Chapter 3312, Off-street parking and loading, and the provisions of Subsection 3359.05(C)(1), Design review, apply. Whenever there is a conflict between the Chapter 3312, Off-street parking and loading, and the provisions of this chapter, the latter shall prevail.
Parking facility surfaces shall comply with the provisions of Section 3312.43.
In order to address the development and design goals for the downtown, two parking zones are hereby established and are subject to the provisions and standards of this overlay as applicable to each zone.
A) Affected Areas: The provisions of the parking overlay shall apply to parking facilities within parking zones as indicated on the official city zoning map and as illustrated on Map 2 (Downtown Parking Overlay Areas).
B) Design Review: All parking facilities are subject to the provisions of Subsection 3359.05(C)(1), Design review.
[image omitted; see the official code]
C) Parking Zone A:
1. Parking structures are permitted.
2. Accessory surface parking is permitted. Accessory surface parking means automobile parking as a subordinate use, and of a nature incidental to but supportive of the principle use (building). Accessory lots shall be located within 1,320 feet of the principal use (building) to which it is accessory.
3. Except for exceptions defined herein, non-accessory surface parking is not permitted. Non-accessory surface parking means automobile parking as a principle rather than a subordinate land use and is not accessory parking.
4. Surface parking facilities shall not be permitted under the provisions of Section 3389.131 special permit uses, temporary parking lot.
5. Non-accessory surface parking lots located within Parking Zone A, established prior to January 15, 1999, shall be considered non-conforming uses and as such have specific rights under Chapter 3391, Nonconformities.
D) Parking Zone B:
1. Parking structures are permitted.
2. Accessory surface parking is permitted. Accessory surface parking means automobile parking as a subordinate use, and of a nature incidental to but supportive of the principle use (building).
3. Non-accessory surface parking is permitted. Non-accessory surface parking means automobile parking as a principle rather than a subordinate land use and is not accessory parking.
4. Non-accessory surface parking facilities shall not be permitted under the provisions of Section 3389.131, Special permit uses, temporary parking lot.
E) Maintenance: Any parking lot landscaping provided shall be maintained in good order. All plant material should be watered, fertilized, pruned, kept free from weeds and litter, and replaced if diseased, injured, or dead, consistent with horticultural best practices.
(Ord. No. 1532-2013, § 1, 7-15-2013)
Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT33ZOCO_CH3359DODI_3359.27PAOVFetched: 10/27/2026