Planning & Zoning

The Department's planning and zoning responsibilities include administering the City's long-range plans, planning for future growth, and administering and enforcing the City's zoning, subdivision, sign, and related ordinances. On this page you will find resource links, maps, and other information.

Comprehensive Plan

“Our Worthington 2045” is the City’s Comprehensive Plan, adopted in November 2024. It is a guiding plan that sets goals for the City over the next 20 years. The Plan’s vision statement reads:

“The City of Worthington is a thriving destination for all people to live, work, invest, and play. Worthington is a place where all can come together to shape our community's unique identity, culture, and sense of place. In 2045, our Worthington will be livable, accessible, active, welcoming, and economically vibrant.”

The Plan applies these five goals (livable, accessible, active, welcoming, and economically vibrant) to topics including:

  1. Land Use and Zoning
  2. Housing
  3. Economic Development
  4. Transportation
  5. Parks and Recreation
  6. Natural Resources
  7. Utilities
  8. Public Buildings

The Plan guides decision-making by the City Council, Planning Commission, City departments, and other boards and commissions. It is used to inform land use and zoning decisions, infrastructure planning, budgeting, transportation investments, and more. You can find the complete Plan in the Resource Links section below.

Zoning

The City of Worthington has zoning ordinances regulating land usage, building locations, accessory structures, building heights, green space, fencing, signage, subdivisions, and more. Zoning requirements can be found in Section 15 of the Worthington City Code of Ordinances: Worthington City Code – Section 15 (opens in a new tab) .

Applications for zoning changes, conditional use permits, platting, variances, PUDs, amendments, and other special zoning requests can be found in the Resource Links section below. Applications are generally due around the middle of the month in order for the request to be placed on the following month’s Planning Commission agenda. Deadlines vary by month based on public notice requirements. Please contact the City to confirm the correct deadline.

Subdivisions

Subdivisions that create three or more lots, including the original lot, must be platted. Minor subdivisions (splitting one lot into two) require an application to the City and are reviewed administratively. To apply for a minor subdivision, complete the zoning application linked below and submit it to the City.

Realignment of lot lines (for example, purchasing a portion of a neighbor’s property) must be approved by the City.

It is best to contact the City before proceeding with surveying or purchase agreements involving subdivisions or lot line realignments.

Resource Links

Forms

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