Parking Programs & Policies

In an effort to encourage the use of electric vehicles, the City of Columbus has developed design guidelines for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. The design guidance covers the installation of EV Charging Stations and all accessories when used in public roadways, parking lots, parking stalls, and sidewalks. Installation includes all work necessary for the EV Charging Station to be fully operational. The completed charging station and equipment installation shall meet all City of Columbus design standards for roadways including standard drawings, ADA rules and regulations, downtown standards, and parking and downtown requirements (as applicable) unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer. The charging stations and associated equipment shall also meet the requirements of the latest edition of the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide, any other applicable AASHTO requirements, and the ODOT Location and Design Manual. For the complete EV Charger Design Guidance, click here.

Designated on-street loading zones are sometimes needed in areas with limited parking and loading/unloading options. If your business is in need of a designated on-street loading zone, please review the Loading Zone Rules and Regulations(PDF, 701KB) to review requirements and fees associated with establishing a loading zone. If you have questions, please contact Parking Services at parkingservices@columbus.gov.

While parking should be generally available to any user, there are specific instances when parking needs to be restricted. The City recognizes the impacts that removing managed and/or unmanaged parking has on residents, guests, businesses and visitors to our city.  

The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures that balance the needs of the general public for on-street parking with the need to occasionally restrict on-street parking for public right-of-way permits, special events, parades, community markets and other related activities. This policy and procedure in no way establishes procedures to restrict public parking in off-street lots and garage parking spaces. 

City permitted Special Events, Valet/Temporary Valet Parking Zones, Loading Zones, Mobile Food Vending, Residential Permit Parking, Car Share, Parklets, Two-Wheeled Vehicle Parking Zones and other Curb Lane Management Programs are governed separately by specific rules and regulations.

To view the On-Street Parking Out of Service Policy, click here(PDF, 246KB).

The City recognizes that on-street parking in some residential neighborhoods is a limited resource, especially in areas with few off-street parking facilities such as garages, carports, driveways or hard-surfaced parking areas. Furthermore, mobility for citizens with disabilities or mobility challenges can be enhanced by the establishment of dedicated ADA parking spaces along public streets for ADA designated vehicles.

Parking Services will install residential on-street ADA parking signage to provide additional parking opportunities for residents that meet the eligibility requirements, one parking space per address. ADA parking signage requests are generally approved if the applicants meets the following criteria:

• Resides at a residence located on a public street within the city of Columbus;
• Has a current ADA placard or ADA license plate from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
• Does not have access to off-street parking such as a driveway, garage, parking pad, etc.

Please note, the physical condition, or use of the off-street parking (i.e. a garage used for storage, non-functioning overhead garage door, unpaved parking area that is not properly maintained) shall not constitute a basis for approving an application.

The ADA parking space is not limited to the applicant's use only. Anyone with a current ADA placard or license plate may legally park in the space.

To apply for an on-street ADA parking space, please review the rules and regulations and complete the application. Please return the completed application and required documentation to:

Division of Parking Services
111 N. Front Street, 5th Floor
Columbus, OH  43215

Or email to: parkingservices@columbus.gov

On-Street ADA Parking Rules and Regulations(PDF, 243KB)
On-Street ADA Parking Application(PDF, 136KB)
City-wide map of ADA Parking Meters

Parking Benefit District Rules and Regulations(PDF, 4MB)

Parking Meter Rate Adjustment Rules and Regulations(PDF, 1MB)

These guidelines were created in an effort to standardize the parking variance process and provide current parking availability data to Parking Services staff to make data-driven decisions about supporting or not supporting a parking variance request.

These guidelines set forth the procedure for reviewing proposed variances to parking code requirements within the zoning review process. Variances are often required to provide context-sensitive solutions for proposed developments that are unable to meet the code-required minimum number of parking spaces, or in cases where providing required parking would contribute to overbuilding parking in the area. These guidelines outline standard protocols and processes for determining staff recommendations for proposed parking variances.

Parking Variance Review Guidelines(PDF, 751KB)
Zone In - Parking Impact Study Rules and Regulations (PDF, 3MB)

East Franklinton Special Parking Area(PDF, 215KB)

Short North Special Parking Area(PDF, 432KB)

Valet parking zones are designated locations in the public right of way where an attendant takes possession of a vehicle for the purpose of parking and returns the vehicle to the owner when requested. Valet parking is most utilized near restaurants in areas with limited parking. A Valet Parking Permit is required to operate a valet zone in the public right of way.

If your business would like to request an on-street valet parking zone, please review the Valet Parking Rules and Regulations(PDF, 268KB) to determine eligibility, requirements and fees associated with establishing a valet parking zone.

 (PDF, 441KB)Valet Zone Checklist(PDF, 441KB)