Building Design Standards
Columbus City Codes § 3325.341
in effect3325.341 - Building Design Standards
Design standards are as follows:
A. A primary building frontage shall incorporate at least one main entrance door. At a building corner where two primary building frontages meet, one main entrance door may be located so as to meet the requirement for both building frontages.
B. The width of a principal building along a primary building frontage shall be a minimum of sixty percent (60%) of the lot width.
C. A building frontage that exceeds a width of fifty (50) feet shall include vertical piers or other vertical visual elements to break the plane of the building frontage. The vertical piers or vertical elements shall be spaced at intervals of fifteen (15) to thirty-five (35) feet along the entire building frontage.
D. For each primary building frontage, at least sixty percent (60%) of the area between the height of two (2) feet and ten (10) feet above the nearest sidewalk or shared-use path grade shall be clear/non-tinted window glass permitting a view of the building's interior to a minimum depth of four (4) feet. For a secondary building frontage, the pattern of window glass shall continue from the primary frontage a minimum distance of ten (10) feet.
E. The standards below apply to upper story windows. The standards are intended to recognize that regularly spaced upper story windows (any story above ground) create a repeated pattern for unity and are an integral part of the building design. Upper story windows are generally smaller than storefront windows at street level are spaced at regular intervals and give scale and texture to the street edge formed by building facades.
1. For any new installation or replacement of upper story windows, the new/replacement windows shall be clear/non-tinted glass.
2. Windows shall not be blocked, boarded up, or reduced in size, unless otherwise required by code for securing a vacant structure.
3. At least twenty-five percent (25%) of the second and higher floor building frontages (as measured from floor to ceiling) shall be window glass unless historic documentation (e.g. historic photos) from when the building was first constructed can be provided that shows a different percentage of window glass was used on the second and third floor building frontages. In such cases, the historic percentage shall be maintained.
F. All roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened from public view to the height of the equipment. The design, colors and materials used in screening shall be architecturally compatible with the rooftop and the aesthetic character of the building.
G. Pickup units and coverings are prohibited on primary building frontages and shall be attached to the rear or side of a principal building.
H. Backlit awnings are not permitted
(Ord. No. 1003-2017, § 1, 5-1-2017)
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_CH3325UNDIZOOV_RECORCSURE_3325.341BUDESTFetched: 10/27/2026