Certificate of appropriateness—Required.
Columbus City Codes § 3359.07
in effect3359.07 - Certificate of appropriateness—Required.
The following activities within the downtown district require a certificate of appropriateness as defined in Subsection 3359.05(C)(1), Design Review.
A) Any exterior construction activity requiring a building permit, including new construction, reconstruction, expansion, alteration and rehabilitation of structures.
B) Site work requiring a permit, such as installation of parking lots, plazas and similar improvements.
C) Any activity requiring a demolition permit (see also Section 3359.23, Demolitions).
D) Any activity requiring a graphics permit (see also Section 3359.25, Graphics).
E) Any activity requiring a certificate of zoning clearance.
F) Encroachments into the public right-of-way.
G) Location and design of public parks.
H) Uses permitted only by certificate of appropriateness as outlined in Subsection 3359.17(C), Uses Permitted only by Certificate of Appropriateness.
Approval by the department of public service is required for encroachments and access points into the public right-of-way. A certificate of appropriateness for these actions does not constitute city approval.
Building activity that is exclusively interior to a building does not require a certificate of appropriateness. In such cases all other regulatory requirements remain in place, including review and approval by the building and zoning services department.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require the City of Columbus, its officials, agents, contractors, or any person acting under the direction or authorization of the City to obtain a certificate of appropriateness for work being performed in the right-of-way by the City, its officials, agents, contractors, or any person acting under the direction or authorization of the City.
(Ord. No. 1532-2013, § 1, 7-15-2013; Ord. No. 3314-2025, § 1(Exh. A), 12-15-2025)
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_3359.07CEAPEQFetched: 10/27/2026