Cincinnati First City in Ohio to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units

The Queen City achieved an historic day for planning in the state of Ohio.

1 minute read

June 28, 2023, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Holy Cross Immaculata Church sits atop Mt Adams in Cincinnati, as seen from across the Ohio River in Kentucky.

Anne Kitzman / Shutterstock

Cincinnati is the first city in Ohio to legalize Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) after the City Council adopted a new ordinance after a year of work of staff work and dozens of public hearings. A Tweet by Cincinnati Councilmember Mark Jeffreys, who introduced the city’s new ADU law, announced the full council’s approval of the ordinance earlier this week.

Becca Costello wrote an article explaining the details of ADUs after the ordinance passed out of committee a few days earlier in June. The article includes a soundbite from Councilmember Jeffreys explaining that ADUs will help the city relax its housing shortage and help with agining in place.

According to Costello, the new ordinance includes own-occupancy limits and qualifies for the city's recently approved tax abatement program. “The proposal is one of the first steps in land-use reform that the mayor's office and Council have been discussing since taking office over a year ago,” writes Costello.

Another article by Chris Wetterich [paywall] provided additional explanation for the law just before the full council vote.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 in WVXU

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30 - Yale Environment 360