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★ Welcome to Franklin County, Ohio: Where Government Works ★
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Address

150 South Front Street
FSL Suite 10
Columbus, Ohio 43215


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Phone

Main
(614) 525-3095
Building
(614) 525-3166
Planning/Zoning
(614) 525-3094

Hours

Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m

Department of Economic Development & Planning

The Franklin County Community Development section of the Department of Economic Development & Planning is responsible for providing funding and technical assistance to support community development activities and initiatives in Franklin County outside the auspices of the City of Columbus. The planning and zoning department is responsible for all zoning, code enforcement and land-use planning activities in the unincorporated area of Franklin County.

SmartWorks Programs

Through the following suite of SmartWorks programs, the County’s goal is to make ongoing strategic investments in the areas of economic development, workforce development, and energy efficiency.

Our Programs

Zoning

Zoning

The Zoning Division is responsible for enforcing and administering the Franklin County Zoning Resolution.  The Zoning Resolution regulates buildings and land uses for the purpose of promoting public health, safety and general welfare throughout Franklin County.  Zoning accomplishes this purpose by encouraging appropriate land uses, stabilizing and preserving property values, preventing the overcrowding of land and avoiding undue concentrations of population.

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Online Permit Center

Online Permit Center

- Apply for a Permit
- Check permit application status
- Pay permit fees online
- View scheduled inspections
- Review inspection activity and results

Franklin County has adopted the 2013 Residential Code of Ohio, which only regulates 1, 2, and 3 family dwellings/residential homes. Zoning compliance requirements and commercial building permits vary by jurisdiction.

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Community Development Partner Highlight

Community Development Partner Highlight

The Economic Development and Planning Department's Community Development Partner Highlight e-newsletter series highlights the current activities and portfolio of work completed by a valued community partner with Franklin County. Community Partners strive for an approach of progressiveness and innovation when bringing their products to life. Their work is reflected in how we see our communities.

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Forms and Applications

Forms and Applications

Go to our Forms and Applications page to find all of the important forms like Permits, Applications for Zoning, Affidavits and Annexations.

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Land Use Planning

Land Use Planning

The Planning Division guides responsible growth in Franklin County by managing long-term changes in land use. The staff provides technical assistance to township officials, enabling citizen participation in shaping the future of their communities. The staff works closely with community leaders, elected officials, and other stakeholders to ensure the viability of future growth and maintain the high quality of life enjoyed by Franklin County residents.

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Energy Works

Energy Works

The EnergyWorks program is an ongoing partnership with the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority (CFFA) to capitalize the Columbus Region Energy Fund, which provides loan financing to Franklin County businesses and nonprofit organizations for cost-effective, energy efficiency improvements. EnergyWorks is designed to increase the energy efficiency of both existing and new facilities, resulting in lower energy costs, fewer carbon emissions, and economic growth in Franklin County.

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People Works

People Works

The PeopleWorks program assists private sector employers who face hiring challenges recruit Franklin County residents who currently receive public assistance from one or more Franklin County social service agencies. PeopleWorks matches the work-ready clients of our social service agencies to employers, and also contains grant programs to provide resources to an employer to train and hire low income Franklin County residents in the “hard skills” needed to succeed on the job.

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Downtown Works

Downtown Works

The DowntownWorks program provides expertise and resources to Franklin County communities interested in downtown revitalization as a means of spurring economic growth. Through our partnership with Heritage Ohio, the program provides technical, organizational, and networking assistance to help our communities enhance the quality of life and economic health of their downtown areas.

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Infrastructure Works

InfrastructureWorks

The InfrastructureWorks program provides timely, innovative, and flexible loan financing through the Franklin County Infrastructure Bank (FCIB) to support economic development projects within the county that will create jobs and economic growth. The FCIB functions as a revolving loan fund that makes below market interest rate loans to city, village, and township borrowers located within Franklin County to finance the public infrastructure required to facilitate an economic development project.

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