Columbus Introduces New Rules Allowing ADUs in all Residential Districts

The city’s recent zoning code updates include new rules for secondary housing units.

1 minute read

November 27, 2025, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Two-story brick houses in Columbus, Ohio.

Pythaglio, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

Columbus, Ohio is updating its development guidelines to include accessory dwelling units (ADUs), paving the way for secondary housing units, reports Erin Simonek for ABC 6.

The zoning code now allows ADUs in all residential districts. According to Councilman Otto Beatty, who championed the legislation, the goals were to “have ADUs be recognized in our housing and building code,” “make those homeowners and families who wanted to build an ADU to have a much easier process,” and “make this opportunity for families and homeowners available across the entire city.”

The city is also making investments in senior housing with an 84-unit affordable housing development on the Near East Side.

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 in ABC 6

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