Cuyahoga County Unified Zoning Code

Aiming for a new approach to zoning, County Planning is developing an opt-in zoning ordinance that modernizes regulations and unlocks development opportunities, while maintaining local administrative authority.

The Cuyahoga County Unified Zoning Code (UZC) is a comprehensive zoning ordinance and map that will be held and maintained by County Planning, yet adopted and administered by individual communities. This approach modernizes zoning regulations and unlocks development opportunities through a shared platform that is updated by County Planning, while preserving local administrative authority and approvals so communities can shape their own growth.

The UZC addresses longstanding zoning issues—outdated codes and maps, challenges with updating language, and a fragmented regulatory environment—and establishes an innovative approach that can repopulate our communities and grow our region.

Changes made to the UZC would automatically apply to those communities that have adopted the code. This unique approach goes beyond a model code or best practice guide by uniting participants and County Planning in a partnership that maintains alignment over time. While the UZC is comprehensive, each community can still integrate local elements unique to their community and apply only the zoning districts that make sense for them. This built-in flexibility allows communities to benefit from the UZC, while maintaining a tailored solution.

Project Purpose

Many communities of Cuyahoga County have outdated regulations that slow development, and they have few options to easily update those regulations. High costs, limited staff capacity, and a lack of professional expertise all hinder progress and innovation.

County Planning has highlighted the impacts of these long-standing zoning problems in recent regional analyses. In the First Suburbs, 41% of existing single-family zoned lots do not meet minimum lot size requirements. Along our most frequent transit corridors, only 5.5% of parcels meet basic requirements to support TOD. These structural barriers to investment limit our ability to grow our region.

Even if all 59 Cuyahoga County communities update their codes to address these barriers, the lack of coordinated efforts means codes vary, creating a patchwork of regulations that reduce effectiveness and increase confusion. This further slows development as residents, builders, and investors must navigate inconsistent regulations and processes that create delays and uncertainty.

Many communities seek assistance for full zoning code updates or only have the resources to undertake small pieces at a time. The UZC process allows multiple community zoning codes to be updated at once and adds the benefit of regional collaboration and ongoing maintenance support.