Planning Department

123 Washington Street, Ste 8 · Columbus, IN 47201
(812) 376-2550 Phone · (812) 376-2643 Fax
Office Open: 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Monday - Friday


Overview

Website Redesign - We are redesigning our website. Please take our survey and give us your valuable input! Take the SurveyThe Columbus-Bartholomew Planning Department provides both long-range community planning and current development review services for the City of Columbus and Bartholomew County. The Planning Department also provides zoning and subdivision control ordinance administration services for the Town of Hartsville and the Edinburgh / Bartholomew / Columbus Joint District Plan Commission. The mission of the Planning Department is (1) to facilitate discussion of community planning issues, (2) to provide land use and development information to local elected and appointed officials, and (3) to provide opportunities for public input on development, land use, and other community issues.

June 7, 2008 Flood Report

The United States Geological Survey has released their report on the June 7, 2008 flood that affected Columbus and Bartholomew County. That report is provided below as a series of PDF files.

United States Geological Survey Flood Report

Flood Report Appendix 1
Flood Report Appendix 2
Flood Report Appendix 3

Flood Hazard Area Maps

These FEMA Flood Hazard Area Maps for the City of Columbus and Bartholomew County are provided for reference purposes. Please contact the Planning Department at 812.376.2550 for specific flood hazard determinations.

Columbus and Bartholomew County Zoning Ordinance

The zoning ordinance for the City of Columbus and Bartholomew County is provided below as a series of Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files. Revisions to the zoning ordinance approved by the Columbus City Council on February 17, 2009, and approved by the Bartholomew County Commissioners on March 9, 2009, are included in these files.

  1. Table of Contents
  2. Basic Provisions
  3. Administration
  4. Zoning Districts
  5. Overlay Zoning Districts
  6. Planned Unit Development
  7. Use Standards
  8. Parking & Circulation Standards
  9. Landscaping Standards
  10. General Development Standards
  11. Sign Standards
  12. Nonconformities
  13. Processes & Permits
  14. Enforcement & Penalties
  15. Definitions

Columbus and Bartholomew County Zoning Maps

The Official Zoning Maps for the jurisdictions of the City of Columbus and Bartholomew County Plan Commissions are provided below as Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files. These maps are provided for the convenience of development professionals, Realtors, appraisers, and the general public. The Planning Department discourages the downloading and printing of these files for long-term use due to the likelihood that the information may become out of date as rezonings occur. Any questions regarding the zoning of a particular property should be directed to the Columbus - Bartholomew Planning Department at 812.376.2550.

 

Foundry Study

Download the Foundry Study in Acrobat (pdf) format. (approx. 12.9MB)

Downtown Columbus Strategic Development Plan

The Downtown Columbus Strategic Development Plan is available for download in its entirety or split into four sections for your convenience.

Download the entire plan (approx. 77.3mb)

  1. Introduction (approx. 5.7mb)
    1. Planning Context
    2. Project Purpose
    3. Planning Process
  2. Taking Stock of the Community (approx. 24.6mb)
    1. Existing Conditions
    2. Market Findings
    3. Public Process
  3. Development Strategy(approx. 23.9mb)
    1. Downtown Development Strategy
    2. Downtown Goals
    3. Downtown Districts
  4. Next Steps(approx. 17.9mb)
    1. Implementation Strategy
    2. Development Program
    3. Project Phasing