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Central Ohio is growing rapidly, with more families, young professionals, and retirees seeking homes in our thriving region. However, outdated zoning regulations are creating barriers to meeting this growing demand, making housing less accessible and more expensive.

Zoning reform is a critical component of the BIA of Central Ohio’s Housing Blueprint, which outlines practical solutions to address the region’s housing challenges. Learn why streamlining zoning processes is essential to solving Central Ohio’s housing crisis and how to achieve the best zoning outcomes.

How Zoning Impacts Housing Development

Zoning laws were created to organize land use and protect communities, but many of these regulations have become unnecessarily restrictive. Builders and developers face significant challenges due to:

  • Delays in the Approval Process: Zoning approvals often take months, adding unnecessary time to construction timelines. These delays not only slow down the building process but also increase costs. Time is money; these added expenses are ultimately passed on to buyers and renters.
  • Rising Costs from Overregulation: Complex zoning requirements, such as lot size minimums and densities, property line setbacks, parking requirements, and overly specific design mandates, drive up construction costs. For example, mandates on roof slopes or exterior materials can add significant expenses without improving functionality or safety.

This isn’t just an inconvenience; It’s a systemic issue impacting the availability and affordability of housing across Central Ohio. As the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported, regulations account for 40.6% of the cost of multifamily housing development. Thoughtful reform is essential to making housing more accessible and affordable.

Collaborative Solutions for Zoning Reform

Zoning reform requires bold action, open dialogue, and collaboration across all sectors. At the BIA of Central Ohio, our goal is to bring everyone to the table, including policymakers, developers, community leaders, and residents, to lay out the challenges, understand the full impact, and work toward practical solutions that make sense for the community. Collaboration ensures that all perspectives are considered when deciding on our region’s housing future.

Here’s how we can address zoning challenges together:

  1. Streamline and Modernize the Zoning Process
    Cities can reduce red tape and speed up development timelines by implementing electronic permitting systems and setting clear deadlines for zoning approvals. These changes make the process more efficient and reduce costs for builders and, ultimately, homebuyers.
  2. Create Partnerships that Address Zoning Together
    We partner with housing-focused nonprofits and organizations, such as the Senate Select Committee on Housing, to ensure zoning reforms benefit everyone. These collaborative efforts bring diverse voices to the table, helping to balance growth with community needs.
  3. Encourage Diverse Housing Options
    To meet the needs of a growing and diverse population, we must update zoning laws to allow for a variety of housing types, including duplexes, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These types of housing provide more affordable and accessible choices while also aligning with the evolving preferences of younger generations.
  4. Reform Overly Restrictive Fees and Standards
    Excessive utility connection fees and overly detailed architectural requirements add significant costs to housing development. Relaxing these standards can lower expenses and speed up the construction process.

Building a Brighter Future for Central Ohio

Zoning reform isn’t just about policy; it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that Central Ohio keeps pace with evolving housing needs—offering a range of options that reflect modern lifestyles, from walkable communities to attainable starter homes. By thoughtfully reforming zoning together, we can create more affordable, diverse housing choices and ensure Central Ohio remains a place where everyone can thrive.

The BIA of Central Ohio is committed to driving these changes to ensure Central Ohio is a leader in housing innovation and affordability.

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