Franklin County Economic Development & Planning, Planning & Zoning Division

Zoning Compliance Certificate (residential or commercial)

Franklin County's Planning & Zoning Division issues Zoning Compliance Certificates — both residential and commercial — for property in unincorporated Franklin County, in the same 10 townships the Building Department reaches (Brown, Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, Madison, Mifflin, Norwich, Pleasant, Sharon, Truro); the 7 self-administering townships (Blendon, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Plain, Prairie, Washington) handle their own zoning instead, and incorporated cities and villages in the county — including Columbus and every suburb — handle zoning themselves. Where it does apply, a zoning certificate is required before most construction: any disturbance of land or change in use typically triggers the requirement, and anything needing a building permit will also need a zoning permit. The fee amount is not printed in the commercial application packet, which carries only a 'Fee Paid' line; contact the Division for the current fee. Applications go through the county's online SmartGov portal or in person at 150 S. Front St., FSL Suite 10, Columbus, with questions to the project coordinator at 614-525-3904 or Planning@franklincountyohio.gov.