Voluntary discontinuance of nonconforming uses.
Columbus City Codes § 3391.11
in effect3391.11 - Voluntary discontinuance of nonconforming uses.
A. Voluntary discontinuance means the cessation of the active or productive operations of a use on the land or within a structure. Voluntary discontinuance terminates a nonconforming use. A nonconforming use that is voluntarily discontinued shall not be resumed or reestablished. Any subsequent use or occupancy of the land or structure must conform to the current regulations for the zoning district in which it is located. A use shall be considered voluntarily discontinued when any of the following occurs:
1. When a nonconforming use has been replaced by a conforming use, or
2. When the owner of the nonconforming use voluntarily discontinues the use for a period of 12 months or more. Examples of voluntary discontinuance include, but are not limited to, disconnection of essential utilities; or removal, without replacement, of equipment and furnishings characteristic of the nonconforming use.
B. No nonconforming accessory use shall continue after the principal use to which it is accessory has been discontinued.
C. Any period of discontinuance caused by government action and without any contributing fault by the nonconforming user is not considered in determining the period of abandonment or voluntary discontinuance.
(Ord. No. 2323-2012, § 1, 12-10-2012)
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_CH3391NO_3391.11VODINOUSFetched: 10/27/2026