Chapter 713 | Planning Commissions

Section 713.01 | Establishment of planning commissions.

• Effective: September 29, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 49 - 132nd General Assembly

The legislative authority of each city having a board of park commissioners may establish a city planning commission of seven members, consisting of the mayor, the director of public service, the president of the board of park commissioners, two citizens of the municipal corporation, and two public members who shall serve without compensation and shall be appointed by the mayor for terms of six years each, except that the term of two of the members of the first commission shall be for three years. The legislative authority may, by resolution, change the number of citizen members to an even number of members, not less than four nor more than twelve. Whenever the size of a commission is expanded, the initial appointees to new positions shall be appointed to terms which permit half the citizen members to be reappointed each third year. No reduction in the size of a commission shall affect the term of any incumbent, and at least two citizen members shall be appointed every third year.

The legislative authority of each city without a board of park commissioners may establish a commission of five members, consisting of the mayor, the director of public service, two citizens of the municipal corporation, and one public member who shall serve without compensation and shall be appointed by the mayor for a term of six years, except that the term of one of the members of the first commission shall be for four years and one for two years.

The legislative authority of each city with a commission plan of government, adopted as provided in sections 705.01 to 705.06, 705.31, 705.32, and 705.41 to 705.48 of the Revised Code, may establish a city planning commission of five members, consisting of the chairperson of the legislative authority, three citizens of the city, and one public member to be appointed by the legislative authority for terms of six years each, except that the term of two of the members of the first planning commission shall be for four years and two for two years. All members of the planning commission shall serve without compensation.

The legislative authority of each city with a city manager plan of government, adopted as provided in sections 705.01 to 705.06 and 705.51 to 705.60 of the Revised Code, may establish a commission of five members, consisting of the chairperson of the legislative authority, the city manager, two citizens of the city, and one public member who shall serve without compensation and shall be appointed by the city manager for terms of six years each, except that the term of one of the members of the first commission shall be for four years and one for two years.

The legislative authority of each village may establish a commission of five members, consisting of the mayor, one member of the legislative authority to be elected thereby for the remainder of the individual's term as such member of the legislative authority, two citizens of the village, and one public member to be appointed by the mayor for terms of six years each, except that the term of one of the members of the first commission shall be for four years and one for two years. All members shall serve without compensation.

The public members appointed under this section need not be residents of the municipal corporation but shall be residents of the county in which the municipal corporation is located or a township that is adjacent to the county. For purposes of this section, all members of a planning commission are subject to section 2921.42 of the Revised Code.

Whenever a planning commission is appointed under this section, it shall have all the powers conferred in section 735.15 of the Revised Code.

Except as otherwise provided in its charter, the commission of a charter municipal corporation created in the manner and by virtue of authority granted by its charter, shall have the powers of and the plans made by it shall have the effect of a planning commission or city plan created under sections 713.01 to 713.15 of the Revised Code.

Any member of a city or village planning commission established under this section or by charter, except as otherwise provided in its charter, may hold any other public office and may serve as a member of a county, and a regional planning commission.

Section 713.02 | Planning commission - powers and duties.

• Effective: November 4, 1965
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 906 - 106th General Assembly

The planning commission established under section 713.01 of the Revised Code shall make plans and maps of the whole or any portion of the municipal corporation, and of any land outside thereof, which, in the opinion of the commission, is related to the planning of the municipal corporation, and make changes in such plans or maps when it deems it advisable. Such maps or plans shall show the commission's recommendations for the general location, character, and extent of streets, alleys, ways, viaducts, bridges, waterways, waterfronts, subways, boulevards, parkways, parks, playgrounds, aviation fields and other public grounds, ways, and open spaces; the general location of public buildings and other public property; the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned or operated, for water, light, sanitation, transportation, communication, power, and other purposes; and the removal, relocation, widening, narrowing, vacating, abandonment, change of use of or extension of such public ways, grounds, open spaces, buildings, property, utilities, or terminals. With a view to the systematic planning of the municipal corporation, the commission may make recommendations to public officials concerning the general location, character, and extent of any such public ways, grounds, open spaces, buildings, property, utilities, or terminals. As the work of making the whole plan progresses, the commission may from time to time adopt and publish any part thereof, and such part shall cover one or more major sections or divisions of the municipal corporation or one or more of the functional matters to be included in the plan. The commission may from time to time amend, extend, or add to the plan. This section does not confer any powers on the commission with respect to the construction, maintenance, use, or enlargement of improvements by any public utility or railroad on its own property if such utility is owned or operated by an individual, partnership, association, or a corporation for profit.

The planning commission may accept, receive, and expend funds, grants, and services from the federal government or its agencies, from departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of this state or any adjoining state or from one or more counties of this state or any adjoining state or from any municipal corporation or political subdivision of this or any adjoining state, including county, regional, and municipal planning commissions of this or any adjoining state, or from civic sources, and contract with respect thereto, either separately or jointly or cooperatively, and provide such information and reports as may be necessary to secure such financial aid.

The commission may control, preserve, and care for historical landmarks; control, in the manner provided by ordinance, the design and location of statuary and other works of art, which are the property of the municipal corporation; control the removal, relocation, and alteration of any such works; and control the design of harbors, bridges, viaducts, street fixtures, and other public structures and appurtenances.

Whenever the commission makes a plan of the municipal corporation, or any portion thereof, no public building or structure, street, boulevard, parkway, park, playground, public ground, canal, river front, harbor, dock, wharf, bridge, viaduct, tunnel, or other public way, ground, works, or utility, whether publicly or privately owned, or a part thereof, shall be constructed or authorized to be constructed in the municipal corporation or planned portion thereof unless the location, character, and extent thereof is approved by the commission. In case of disapproval the commission shall communicate its reasons therefor to the legislative authority of the municipal corporation and to the head of the department which has control of the construction of the proposed improvement or utility. The legislative authority, by a vote of not less than two-thirds of its members and of such department head, together may overrule such disapproval. If such public way, ground, works, building, structure, or utility is one the authorization or financing of which does not, under the law or charter provisions governing it, fall within the province of a municipal legislative authority or other municipal body or official, the submission to the commission shall be by the state, school, county, district, or township official, board, commission, or body having such jurisdiction, and the commission's disapproval may be overruled by such official, board, commission, or body by a vote of not less than two-thirds of its membership. The narrowing, ornamentation, vacation, or change in the use of streets and other public ways, grounds, and places shall be subject to similar approval, and disapproval may be similarly overruled. The commission may make recommendations to any public authorities or to any corporations or individuals in such municipal corporation or the territory contiguous thereto, concerning the location of any buildings, structures, or works to be erected or constructed by them.

Section 713.03 | Planning commission shall be platting commission.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The planning commission of a municipal corporation shall be the platting commission thereof, and all the powers and duties provided by sections 735.17 to 735.26, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall, upon the appointment of a municipal planning commission under section 713.01 of the Revised Code, be transferred to it.

Section 713.04 | Control as to buildings.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may authorize the planning commission to control the height, design, and location of buildings.

Section 713.05 | Employment of architects and engineers.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The planning commission may control, appoint, or employ such architects, engineers, and other professional service, and may appoint such clerks, draughtsmen, and other subordinates as are necessary for the performance of its functions. The expenditures for such service and employments shall be within the amounts appropriated for such persons by the legislative authority of the municipal corporation, and such legislative authority shall provide for the expenses and accommodations necessary for the work of the commission.

Section 713.06 | Division of municipal corporation into zones.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The planning commission of any municipal corporation may frame and adopt a plan for dividing the municipal corporation or any portion thereof into zones or districts, representing the recommendations of the commission, in the interest of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity, or general welfare, for the limitations and regulation of the height, bulk, and location, including percentage of lot occupancy, set back building lines, and area and dimensions of yards, courts, and other open spaces, and the uses of buildings and other structures and of premises in such zones or districts.

Section 713.07 | Restriction in location of buildings and structures.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Whenever the planning commission of any municipal corporation or any board or officer with city planning powers, whether such commission, board, or officer is created by statute or municipal charter, certifies to the legislative authority of the municipal corporation any plan for the districting or zoning thereof according to the uses of buildings and other structures and of premises, such legislative authority, in the interest of the promotion of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity, or general welfare, may regulate and restrict the location of buildings and other structures and of premises to be used for trade, industry, residence, or other specified uses, and for such purposes may divide the municipal corporation into districts of such number, shape, and area as are best suited to carry out the purposes of this section. Regulations may be imposed for each of such districts, designating the kinds or classes of trades, industries, residences, or other purposes for which buildings or other structures or premises may be permitted to be erected, altered, or used subject to special regulations.

Section 713.08 | Restrictions on height of buildings and structures.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Whenever a planning commission, board, or officer certifies to the legislative authority of a municipal corporation any plan for the districting or zoning of the municipal corporation according to the height of buildings and other structures, such legislative authority may, in the interest of the promotion of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity, or general welfare, regulate and limit the height of buildings and other structures thereafter erected or altered and for such purpose may divide the municipal corporation into districts of such number, shape, and area as are best suited to carry out the purposes of this section. Any such regulation imposing a lower height limitation than that provided by statute shall, within the district for which it is imposed, prevail over such statute.

Section 713.081 | Municipal small wind farm zoning regulations.

• Effective: April 6, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 501 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Small wind farm" means wind turbines and associated facilities that are not subject to the jurisdiction of the power siting board under sections 4906.20 and 4906.201 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Small solar facility" means solar panels and associated facilities with a single interconnection to the electrical grid and designed for, or capable of, operation at an aggregate capacity of less than fifty megawatts.

(B) Sections 713.06 to 713.15 of the Revised Code confer power on the legislative authority of a municipal corporation with respect to the location, erection, construction, reconstruction, change, alteration, maintenance, removal, use, or enlargement of any small wind farm or small solar facility as a public utility, whether publicly or privately owned, or the use of land for that purpose. With regard to a small wind farm, the regulations may be more strict than the regulations prescribed in rules adopted under division (B)(2) of section 4906.20 of the Revised Code.

(C) The designation under this section of a small wind farm or a small solar facility as a public utility for purposes of sections 713.06 to 713.15 of the Revised Code shall not affect the classification of a small wind farm, a small solar facility, or any other public utility for purposes of state or local taxation.

Last updated January 17, 2023 at 12:39 PM

Section 713.082 | Compliance with ORC section 5502.031.

• Effective: August 15, 2012
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 158 - 129th General Assembly

The legislative authorities of municipal corporations, planning commissions established under section 713.01 of the Revised Code, and administrative boards created under section 713.11 of the Revised Code shall comply with section 5502.031 of the Revised Code.

Section 713.09 | Restrictions on bulk and location of buildings and structures, percentage of lot occupancy, and set back building lines.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Whenever any planning commission, board, or officer certifies to the legislative authority any plan for the districting or zoning of the municipal corporation according to the bulk and location of buildings and other structures including percentage of lot occupancy, set back building lines, and area of yards, courts, and other open spaces such legislative authority may, in the interest of the promotion of the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity, or general welfare, regulate the bulk and location of buildings and other structures thereafter erected or altered, including the percentage of lot occupancy, set back building lines, and the area of yards, courts and other open spaces. For such purposes the legislative authority may divide the municipal corporation into districts of such number, shape, and area as is best suited to carry out the purposes of this section. Any such regulation imposing a smaller percentage of lot occupancy, wider or larger courts, deeper yards, or other more strict limitations than those provided by statute shall, within the district for which it is imposed, prevail over such statute.

Section 713.10 | Basis of districting or zoning - classification of buildings and structures.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The districting or zoning of any municipal corporation or part thereof may be based upon any combination of two or more of the purposes described in sections 713.07 to 713.09, inclusive, of the Revised Code. In the determination and establishment of such districts buildings and other structures may be classified on the basis of the nature or character of trade, industry, profession, or other activity conducted or to be conducted therein, the number of persons, families, or other group units to reside in or use them, the public, quasi-public, or private nature of the use thereof, or upon any other basis relevant to the promotion of the public safety, health, morals, convenience, prosperity, or welfare.

The legislative authority of such municipal corporation may amend or change the number, shape, area, or regulations of or within any district, but no such amendment or change shall become effective unless the ordinance proposing it is first submitted to the planning commission, board, or officer for approval, disapproval, or suggestions and the commission, board, or officer is allowed a reasonable time, not less than thirty days, for consideration and report.

Section 713.11 | Administrative board - powers and duties.

• Effective: September 14, 1992
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 411 - 119th General Assembly

(A) The legislative authority of a municipal corporation may create an administrative board to administer the details of the application of the regulations under sections 713.06 to 713.12 of the Revised Code, and may delegate to such board, in accordance with general rules to be set forth in the districting ordinances and regulations, the power to hear and determine appeals from refusal of building permits by building commissioners or other officers, to permit exceptions to and variations from the district regulations in the classes of cases or situations specified in the regulations, and to administer the regulations as specified therein. Such administrative powers and functions may be delegated by the legislative authority to the planning commission or board.

(B) If the county in which a village is located administers a county zoning resolution, the legislative authority of the village and the board of county commissioners of the county may contract with each other to have the county administer village zoning regulations, with its powers to include hearing and deciding zoning appeals and authorizing variances.

Section 713.12 | Zoning regulations notice and hearing.

• Effective: June 1, 1970
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 159 - 108th General Assembly

Before any ordinance, measure, regulation, or amendments thereto, authorized by sections 713.07 to 713.11, inclusive, of the Revised Code, may be passed the legislative authority of the municipal corporation shall hold a public hearing thereon, and shall give at least thirty days' notice of the time and place thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipal corporation. If the ordinance, measure, or regulation intends to re-zone or re-district ten or less parcels of land, as listed on the tax duplicate, written notice of the hearing shall be mailed by the clerk of the legislative authority, by first class mail, at least twenty days before the date of the public hearing to the owners of property within and contiguous to and directly across the street from such parcel or parcels, to the addresses of such owners appearing on the county auditor's current tax list or the treasurer's mailing list and to such other list or lists that may be specified by the legislative authority. The failure of delivery of such notice shall not invalidate any such ordinance, measure, or regulation. During such thirty days the text or copy of the text of such ordinance, measure, or regulation, together with the maps or plans, or copies thereof, forming part of or referred to in such ordinance, measure, or regulation and the maps, plans, and reports submitted by the planning commission, board, or officer shall be on file, for public examination, in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority or in such other office as is designated by the legislative authority. No such ordinance, measure, or regulation which violates, differs from, or departs from the plan or report submitted by the commission, board, or officer shall take effect unless passed or approved by not less than three fourths of the membership of the legislative authority. No ordinance, measure, or regulation which is in accordance with the recommendations, plan, or report submitted by the commission, board, or officer shall be deemed to pass or take effect without the concurrence of at least a majority of the members elected to the legislative authority.

Section 713.121 | Statute of limitations.

• Effective: October 25, 1995
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 50 - 121st General Assembly

No action challenging the validity of a zoning ordinance or regulation or of any amendment to such an ordinance or regulation because of a procedural error in the adoption of the ordinance, regulation, or amendment shall be brought more than two years after the adoption of the ordinance, regulation, or amendment.

No action alleging procedural error in the actions of an administrative board created under section 713.11 of the Revised Code, or of any other administrative entity acting under that section, in the granting of zoning variances or conditional use certificates shall be brought more than two years after the variance or certificate was granted.

Section 713.13 | Injunction.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

No person shall erect, construct, alter, repair, or maintain any building or structure or use any land in violation of any zoning ordinance or regulation enacted pursuant to sections 713.06 to 713.12, inclusive, of the Revised Code, or Section 3 of Article XVIII, Ohio Constitution. In the event of any such violation, or imminent threat thereof, the municipal corporation, or the owner of any contiguous or neighboring property who would be especially damaged by such violation, in addition to any other remedies provided by law, may institute a suit for injunction to prevent or terminate such violation.

Section 713.14 | Effect of zoning regulations.

• Effective: September 17, 1957
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 403 - 102nd General Assembly

Sections 713.06 to 713.12, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not repeal, reduce, or modify any power granted by law or charter to any municipal corporation or the legislative authority thereof, or impair or restrict the power of any municipal corporation under Article XVIII of the Ohio Constitution. And where a new municipal corporation is created out of the territory of a county or township or any part thereof in which territory zoning regulations have been previously adopted as provided by sections 303.02 to 303.25, inclusive, or sections 519.02 to 519.25, inclusive, of the Revised Code, such regulations may be adopted and continued in full force and effect by the newly created municipal corporation without following the procedure prescribed by sections 713.07 to 713.11, inclusive, of the Revised Code and the council of such newly incorporated municipal corporation may continue such zoning provisions in effect by the enactment of an emergency ordinance as provided by law.

Sections 713.06 to 713.12, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not authorize a municipal corporation to reserve the use of any private property for future public use for the purpose of extending or widening streets.

Section 713.15 | Nonconforming uses.

• Effective: March 5, 1987
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 206 - 116th General Assembly

The lawful use of any dwelling, building, or structure and of any land or premises, as existing and lawful at the time of enacting a zoning ordinance or an amendment to the ordinance, may be continued, although such use does not conform with the provisions of such ordinance or amendment, but if any such nonconforming use is voluntarily discontinued for two years or more, or for a period of not less than six months but not more than two years that a municipal corporation otherwise provides by ordinance, any future use of such land shall be in conformity with sections 713.01 to 713.15 of the Revised Code. The legislative authority of a municipal corporation shall provide in any zoning ordinance for the completion, restoration, reconstruction, extension, or substitution of nonconforming uses upon such reasonable terms as are set forth in the zoning ordinance.

Section 713.16 | Claim preclusion and zoning appeals.

• Effective: September 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 21, House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

A final judgment on the merits issued by a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to its power of review under Chapter 2506. of the Revised Code, on claims brought under this chapter, does not preclude later claims for damages, including claims brought under 42 U.S.C. 1983, even if the common law doctrine of res judicata would otherwise bar the claim.

The general assembly intends that this section be construed to override the federal sixth circuit court of appeals's decision in the case Lavon Moore v. Hiram Twp., 988 F.3d 353 (6th Cir. 2021).

Last updated August 30, 2023 at 3:36 PM

Section 713.21 | Regional planning commission.

• Effective: November 2, 2018
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 34 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) The planning commission of any municipal corporation or group of municipal corporations, any board of township trustees, and the board of county commissioners of any county in which the municipal corporation or group of municipal corporations is located or of any adjoining county may cooperate in the creation of a regional planning commission, for any region defined as agreed upon by the planning commissions and boards, exclusive of any territory within the limits of a municipal corporation not having a planning commission. After creation of a regional planning commission, school districts, special districts, authorities, and any other units of local government may participate in the regional planning commission, upon terms agreed upon by the planning commissions and boards.

The number of members of a regional planning commission, their method of appointment, and the proportion of the costs of regional planning to be borne respectively by the various municipal corporations, townships, and counties in the region and by other participating units of local government shall be determined by a majority of the planning commissions and boards. Costs may include, but are not limited to, compensation and actual and necessary expenses for appointive members of a regional planning commission who are not also holding another public office to which they were elected. Any member of a regional planning commission may hold any other public office and may serve as a member of a city, village, or county planning commission, except as otherwise provided in the charter of any city or village.

Boards of township trustees, boards of county commissioners, and legislative authorities of municipal corporations, and the governing bodies of other participating units of local government, may appropriate their respective shares of the costs of regional planning. Those sums shall be paid into the treasury of the county in which the greater portion of the population of the region is located, and shall be paid out on the certificate of the regional planning commission and the warrant of the county auditor of that county for the purposes authorized by sections 713.21 to 713.27 of the Revised Code.

(B) The regional planning commission may accept, receive, and expend funds, grants, and services from the federal government or its agencies; from departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of this state or any adjoining state; from one or more counties of this state or any adjoining state; from any municipal corporation or political subdivision of this or any adjoining state, including county, regional, and municipal planning commissions of this or any adjoining state; or from civic sources. The regional planning commission may contract with respect to those funds, grants, and services, either separately, jointly, or cooperatively, and may provide the information and reports necessary to secure those funds, grants, and services. Within the amounts agreed upon and appropriated or otherwise received, the regional planning commission may employ necessary engineers, accountants, consultants, and employees and may rent or lease space, purchase, lease, and lease with option to purchase equipment, and make other purchases it considers necessary to its use. The regional planning commission may purchase, lease with option to purchase, or receive as a gift property and buildings within which it is housed and carries out its responsibilities, provided that the rules of the commission provide for the disposition of the property and buildings if the commission is dissolved or otherwise terminated.

(C) The regional planning commission may establish committees with the powers it finds necessary to carry on its work, including an executive committee to make final determinations, decisions, findings, recommendations, and orders as provided in the commission's rules. All actions of these committees shall be reported in writing to the members of the regional planning commission no later than its next meeting or within thirty days from the date of the action, whichever is earlier. The regional planning commission may provide a procedure to ratify committee actions by a vote of the members.

(D) The regional planning commission may make agreements with other public or private agencies for the temporary transfer or joint use of staff employees, and may contract for professional or consultant services for or from other governmental and private agencies and persons.

(E) A regional planning commission may contract with the prosecuting attorney of a county, as provided in section 309.09 of the Revised Code, to obtain legal services from the prosecuting attorney.

Section 713.22 | County planning commission.

• Effective: April 15, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 115 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The board of county commissioners of any county may, and on petition of the planning commissions of a majority of the municipal corporations in the county having those planning commissions shall, provide for the organization and maintenance of a county planning commission. A county planning commission shall consist of the members of the board of county commissioners, or their alternates designated in accordance with this division, and eight other members appointed by the board in accordance with divisions (B)(1) to (4) of this section or their alternates designated and approved in accordance with this division. Any alternate designated under this division shall be a resident of the county.

To designate an alternate for a member of the board of county commissioners, the board member shall send a letter of appointment to the alternate and deliver a copy of that letter to the clerk of the board of county commissioners. At the next regular meeting of the board, the clerk shall inform the board of the designation of the alternate, and the board shall have the designation entered on the journal.

To designate an alternate for any other member of the planning commission, the member shall send a letter of appointment to the clerk of the board of county commissioners designating an individual to serve as that member's alternate. At the next regular meeting of the board, the clerk shall inform the board of the designation of the alternate, which designation the board may either approve or disapprove. The board shall enter its decision on the board's journal and, if the alternate is approved, designate the name of the alternate on the journal. The clerk of the board shall notify the commission member of the board's action, and the commission member shall inform the alternate.

A designated alternate shall serve at the pleasure of the member who makes the designation. Removal of an alternate shall be made by a letter of removal, delivered and journalized by the same method that the alternate was designated.

Once an alternate is designated for a member of the planning commission, if that commission member is absent from a planning commission meeting, the alternate has the right to vote and participate in all proceedings and actions of the commission at that meeting as if that alternate were the commission member.

(B)(1) Except as provided for counties with two or less townships in division (B)(4) of this section, if the population of the portion of any city located in the county exceeds fifty per cent of the total population of the county, the board of county commissioners shall select three of the appointive members from persons nominated by the planning commission of that city. The board shall appoint three members from the unincorporated territory of the county from persons recommended by the townships to the county, except that, if one or more of those townships in the county is a limited home rule government township, then the board shall appoint at least one of these three township appointees from the persons recommended by a limited home rule government township. The remaining two appointees shall be selected at the discretion of the board and shall be residents of the county, one residing in the unincorporated territory of the county and representing townships and the other residing in the incorporated territory of the county and representing municipal corporations in the county.

(2) Except as provided for counties with two or less townships in division (B)(4) of this section, if a county does not contain the portion of any city with at least fifty per cent of the total population of the county but contains one or more limited home rule government townships, one of the appointees shall be a resident of a limited home rule government township in the county, selected at the discretion of the board of county commissioners from persons recommended by a limited home rule government township in the county. One appointee shall be a resident of the municipal corporation with the largest population contained within the portion of the municipal corporation located in the county, selected at the discretion of the board of county commissioners from persons recommended by that municipal corporation. The remaining six appointees shall be residents of the county, selected at the discretion of the board of county commissioners.

(3) Except as provided for counties with two or less townships in division (B)(4) of this section, if a county does not contain the portion of any city with at least fifty per cent of the total population of the county and does not contain a limited home rule government township, the board of county commissioners shall appoint eight residents of the county selected at the discretion of the board.

(4) If a county contains two or less townships with unincorporated territory, the board of county commissioners shall appoint eight residents of the county selected at the discretion of the board, except that, if the population of the portion of any city located in the county exceeds fifty per cent of the total population of the county, then at least three of the appointive members shall be selected from persons nominated by the planning commission of that city.

(C) Subject to division (F) of this section, the appointive members of a county planning commission shall be appointed for terms of three years, except that, of the eight members first appointed, three shall be appointed for terms of two years, and two shall be appointed for a term of one year. The appointive members may be allowed their actual and necessary expenses and the compensation that the board of county commissioners determines to be appropriate. Any member of a county planning commission may hold any other public office and may serve as a member of a city, village, and regional planning commission, except as otherwise provided in the charter of any city or village.

(D) The compensation and expenses of the appointive members of a county planning commission and the compensation of planning commission employees shall be paid from appropriations made by the board.

The county planning commission may employ engineers, accountants, consultants, and employees as are necessary, and make purchases as may be needed to the furtherance of its operation.

The county planning commission may accept, receive, and expend funds, grants, and services from the federal government or its agencies, from departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of this state or any adjoining state, from one or more counties of this state or any adjoining state, from any municipal corporation or political subdivision of this or any adjoining state, including a county, regional, and municipal planning commission of this or any adjoining state, or from civic sources, may contract with respect thereto, either separately, jointly, or cooperatively, and may provide information and reports as may be necessary to secure such financial aid.

(E) A county planning commission may adopt a policy under which members of the board of county commissioners, as members of that commission, or their designated alternates must abstain from participating and voting on the commission's recommendation, whenever a county planning commission is required by section 303.12 of the Revised Code to recommend the approval or denial of a proposed amendment or approval of some modification of an amendment to the county zoning resolution, or is required by section 303.07 of the Revised Code to approve or disapprove, or make suggestions about, a proposed county zoning resolution. The policy may require that a quorum of the commission under those circumstances be determined on the basis of an eight-member commission instead of an eleven-member commission.

(F) If at any time a change occurs within a county so that the population of a portion of a city within the county exceeds or no longer exceeds fifty per cent of the total population of the county or a township becomes a limited home rule government township, thus creating a situation where the membership of a county planning commission should be altered to comply with the membership requirements of division (B) of this section, within thirty days after the effective date of either of those types of change, the board of county commissioners, in the board's discretion, may make changes on the commission by resolution so that its membership representation complies with division (B) of this section. If the board does not adopt a resolution to so change the commission's membership, the board shall phase in the necessary changes in the commission's membership by waiting until a member's term of office expires and appointing new members so as to meet the representation requirements of division (B) of this section as soon as possible without interfering with any member's term of office.

Section 713.23 | Regional or county planning commission - powers and duties.

• Effective: April 13, 1990
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 254 - 118th General Assembly

(A) The regional or county planning commission may make studies, maps, plans, recommendations and reports concerning the physical, environmental, social, economic, and governmental characteristics, functions, services, and other aspects of the region or county, respectively. The commission may make such studies, maps, plans, recommendations, and other reports as to areas outside the region or county concerning the physical, environmental, social, economic, and governmental characteristics, functions, services, and other aspects which affect the development and welfare of the region or county respectively, as a whole or as more than one political unit within the region or county.

(B) The duties of the planning commission include, but are not limited to:

(1) Preparing the plans, including studies, maps, recommendations, and reports on:

(a) Regional goals, objectives, opportunities, and needs, and standards, priorities, and policies to realize such goals and objectives;

(b) Economic and social conditions;

(c) The general pattern and intensity of land use and open space;

(d) The general land, water, and air transportation systems, and utility and communication systems;

(e) General locations and extent of public and private works, facilities, and services;

(f) General locations and extent of areas for conservation and development of natural resources and the control of the environment;

(g) Long-range programming and financing of capital projects and facilities.

(2) Promoting understanding of and recommending administrative and regulatory measures to implement the plans of the region;

(3) Collecting, processing, and analyzing social and economic data, undertaking continuing studies of natural and human resources, coordinating such research with other government agencies, educational institutions, and private organizations;

(4) Contracting with and providing planning assistance to other units of local government, councils of governments, planning commissions, and joint planning councils; coordinating the planning with neighboring planning areas; cooperating with the state and federal governments in coordinating planning activities and programs in the region;

(5) Reviewing, evaluating, and making comments and recommendations on proposed and amended comprehensive land use, open space, transportation, and public facilities plans, projects, and implementing measures of local units of government; and making recommendations to achieve compatibility in the region;

(6) Reviewing, evaluating, and making comments and recommendations on the planning, programming, location, financing, and scheduling of public facility projects within the region and affecting the development of the area;

(7) Undertaking other studies, planning, programming, conducting experimental or demonstration projects found necessary in the development of plans for the region or county, and coordinating work and exercising all other powers necessary and proper for discharging its duties;

(8) Carrying out all of the functions and duties of a director of economic development under division (B) of section 307.07 of the Revised Code pursuant to any agreement with a county under division (A)(1) of that section.

(C) Wherever a regional planning commission has been established within the area of the jurisdiction of a county planning commission, the regional planning commission or the county planning commission may, by mutual agreement, transfer or delegate to the other, all, or part, of the functions, powers, and duties which either may perform.

(D) A regional planning commission may perform, by contract, the purchasing of supplies, services, materials, and equipment on behalf of any political subdivision participating in the commission or on behalf of any other political subdivision. For purposes of this division, the purchase of services includes, among other things, the purchase of insurance coverage for a political subdivision and its officials and employees against the legal liability of the insured in a civil action for injury, death, or loss to persons or property caused by or claimed to be caused by the negligence of the political subdivision or its officials or employees. Any political subdivision desiring to participate in a purchase contract with a regional planning commission shall file with the commission a certified copy of an ordinance or resolution of the political subdivision. The ordinance or resolution shall request that the political subdivision be authorized to participate in such a contract and shall agree that the political subdivision will be bound by such terms and conditions as the commission prescribes and that it will directly pay the vendor under each purchase contract. The commission may charge a political subdivision a reasonable fee to cover the administrative costs the commission incurs as a result of the political subdivision's participation in the purchase contract. Purchases made by a political subdivision participating with a regional planning commission under this division are exempt from any competitive bidding required by law for the purchase of supplies, services, materials, and equipment. No political subdivision shall make any purchase under this division when bids have been received for such purchase by the political subdivision, unless such purchase can be made upon the same terms, conditions, and specifications at a lower price under this division.

A regional planning commission, when entering into a purchase contract on behalf of a political subdivision as provided in this division, shall follow the competitive bidding procedures specified in sections 307.86 to 307.92 of the Revised Code.

Section 713.231 | Joint planning councils - organization.

• Effective: November 18, 1969
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 285 - 108th General Assembly

Any regional or county planning commission may by agreement join with other regional or county planning commissions to create a joint planning council after approval by at least a majority of the legislative authorities of the municipal corporations participating in the commission and by the participating board or boards of county commissioners.

The agreement shall specify the various powers and duties of regional or county planning commissions, including the power to contract, receive, and expend fees, funds and grants, and utilize services from any source, to be exercised by a joint planning council in all or parts of its area as may be specified. The agreement shall specify the area in which the powers and duties of such joint planning council shall be exercised. Such area shall be larger than the area of jurisdiction of any participating regional or county planning commission but within or coextensive with the combined areas of jurisdiction of the member planning commissions.

The agreement may also specify how such joint planning council shall be organized, how it shall operate, and how the costs of operation of such joint planning council, over and above such costs as are covered by fees, funds, and grants, shall be apportioned between or among the regional and county planning commissions creating such joint planning council.

The regional and county planning commissions participating in the joint planning council may amend the terms of agreement, including terms to include additional regional or county planning commissions, upon consent of all participants. Any participating planning commission may terminate its membership after giving three months' notice to the planning council of its adoption of a resolution to do so or in the manner provided in the agreement, but shall not be relieved of its obligations, including its share of the cost for the calendar year in which the termination occurs or for such other period as the agreement provides.

Any plan or modification or part of a plan recommended by such joint planning council shall be the plan of any regional or county planning commission when certified by such regional or county planning commission in the manner provided in section 713.24 of the Revised Code.

Any member of a joint planning council may hold any other public office, and may serve as a member of a city, village, regional, and county planning commission except as otherwise provided in the charter of a city or village.

Section 713.24 | Certified copies of plans to each municipal corporation.

• Effective: September 30, 1963
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 719 - 105th General Assembly

The regional planning commission of any region, or the county planning commission of any county, shall, after making the regional or county plan as provided by section 713.23 of the Revised Code, certify a copy thereof to the planning commission of each municipal corporation of the region or county, the board of county commissioners and county or regional planning commission of each county or region or part thereof included in the plan. In the event of the subsequent creation of a planning commission for any municipal corporation within a county having a county planning commission, or for any municipal corporation subsequently incorporated within the area of a region having a regional planning commission, a copy of the county or regional plan shall be immediately certified to such planning commission.

Section 713.25 | Effect of adoption of plans.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The planning commission of any municipal corporation to which a regional or county plan is certified under section 713.24 of the Revised Code, may adopt such plan, and it shall thereupon have the same force within such municipal corporation as is provided by law or charter for plans prepared and adopted by the local planning commission. The board of county commissioners may adopt such plan so far as it relates to nonmunicipal territory. Thereafter no public building, roadway, bridge, viaduct, or other public improvement or utility, publicly or privated owned, whose construction or location would constitute a departure from the plan, shall be constructed or authorized by the board except by unanimous vote. Such plans shall not designate the specific lots or parcels of land upon which such system, facilities, buildings, and improvements are proposed to be placed, but only the general site or location thereof. The effect of the adoption of such plan by the board shall cease as regards the location of any sewage or garbage disposal plant, and no official action of the board shall be controlled thereby in such respect, unless the site shown on the plan as the location of such plant is purchased within six months after the adoption of the plan by the board, or unless proceedings for the appropriation of the necessary property are commenced within a period of six months and such property is then or thereafter appropriated in such proceedings.

Section 713.26 | County engineer shall assist commission.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The county engineer of any county for which a regional or county planning commission has been organized, shall give such assistance to the commission, within the scope of his resources and without interference with his regular duties, as is requested by it.

Section 713.27 | Plans to be filed with county recorder.

• Effective: January 9, 1961
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 104th General Assembly

Whenever a county or regional plan is adopted by a city planning commission or the board of county commissioners, the fact of such adoption shall be certified by the adopting authority to the regional or county planning commission, as the case may be. Thereupon such regional or county commission shall deposit a copy of so much of the regional or county plan as is affected by such adoption in the office of the county recorder. If such plan shows a recommendation as to the location of a sewage or garbage disposal plant, such deposit shall not be made until six months after the plant's adoption and when so deposited the copy thereof shall state the action or nonaction of the appropriating authority with respect to the purchase or appropriation of property for such plant, as provided in section 713.25 of the Revised Code.

Section 713.30 | Interstate regional planning commission.

• Effective: December 13, 1967
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 460 - 107th General Assembly

Any board of county commissioners and the legislative authority of a municipality may cooperate with other such boards or authorities of this state and of any adjoining state to create by agreement an interstate regional planning commission, whenever such subdivisions comprise a region which would benefit from cooperative governmental planning.

An interstate regional planning commission may also be created by compact through appropriate action by resolution, ordinance, or otherwise pursuant to law, of boards of county commissioners and legislative authorities of municipal corporations in this state, in agreement with the appropriate authorities of the political subdivisions of other states included in the region.

Any such compact shall specify: its purposes and duration; the powers and duties of the commission; the extent of the region; the precise organization and composition of the commission; the manner of financing and maintaining a budget for the purposes thereof; provisions for the partial or complete termination of the compact and the disposition of property, should this become necessary; and any other necessary and proper matters.

No such compact shall be in force and effect until it has been reviewed and approved by the attorneys general of the states included in the region to determine whether the compact is in proper form and compatible with all state laws and until it has been approved and signed by the governors of such states.

Section 713.31 | Members - costs.

• Effective: November 13, 1992
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 331 - 119th General Assembly

The terms of members of an interstate regional planning commission, the method of their appointment, and the proportion of the costs to be borne respectively by the various counties and municipal corporations in the region in creating the commission shall be determined by such counties and municipal corporations.

Section 713.32 | Compatibility of offices.

• Effective: December 13, 1967
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 460 - 107th General Assembly

Any member of an interstate regional planning commission may hold any other public office, appointive or elective, and may serve as a member of a city, village, or county planning commission, except as otherwise provided in the charter of the city or village. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in pursuit of their duties on the commission. The commission shall elect its own chairman and other officers from among its members, and shall establish its own rules and bylaws, schedule of meetings, and such committees with such powers as it deems necessary to carry on its work.

Section 713.33 | Powers and duties.

• Effective: December 13, 1967
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 460 - 107th General Assembly

(A) An interstate regional planning commission may make studies, maps, plans, and other reports relative to the region and shall recommend procedures and policies to the appropriate authorities, based on physical, social, economic, and governmental conditions and trends, to promote the coordinated development of the region and the general health, welfare, convenience, and prosperity of the people of the region. Such planning and coordination may reflect the following planning criteria:

(1) Goals, objectives, standards, and principles for the development of the region;

(2) The distribution and intensity of general land use and open space;

(3) The general circulation pattern for the region, including land, water and air transportation, and communication facilities, and continuing comprehensive transportation planning;

(4) The general location, character, and extent of public and private works and facilities which are of area-wide or regional, as distinguished from purely local, concern;

(5) Long-range programming and financing of capital projects and facilities.

(B) The commission shall:

(1) Review plans and proposals for projects and programs of interstate or regional significance which may be proposed by others;

(2) Review and make recommendations concerning administrative and regulatory measures to implement area-wide or regional plans;

(3) Review and make recommendations concerning effective utilization of such federal and state assistance as may be available on a regional basis or as may have a regional impact;

(4) Collect, analyze, and report on statistics and other information concerning traffic, housing, population, and social, economic, and physical conditions of the region;

(5) Exercise such other powers as are necessary and proper to further the coordinated development of the region;

(6) Conduct necessary investigations and research and cooperate with other public and private agencies or persons to conduct such investigations or research on planning problems affecting the region.

Section 713.34 | Administration.

• Effective: December 13, 1967
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 460 - 107th General Assembly

An interstate regional planning commission may accept and use funds, grants, and services from the federal government or its agencies, from departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of this state or any adjoining state, and from any county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of this or any adjoining state, including a county, regional, municipal, or other planning commission of this or any adjoining state, or from private sources, and may contract with respect thereto and provide such information and reports as may be necessary to secure such financial aid. Within the amounts thus agreed upon and appropriated or otherwise received, the commission may employ such engineers, planners, consultants, and other employees as are necessary and may rent or own such space and make such purchases as it deems necessary to its use.