The City of Worthington (“the City”) is seeking proposals from qualified professional planning consultants who have the capacity to assist the City in conducting an assessment and a rewrite of the current Planning & Zoning Code. The Planning & Zoning Code was originally adopted in 1971 with several updates occurring throughout the years.  The City anticipates updating the Worthington Design Guidelines once the Planning & Zoning Code rewrite has been completed.  The City expects the Worthington Together Comprehensive Plan (“the Plan”) will be adopted in the coming months. The Plan recommends two Implementation Actions related to Planning and Zoning, 1) conduct a comprehensive regulatory assessment of the Planning & Zoning Code, and 2) rewrite the Planning & Zoning Code. 

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the Planning & Zoning Code Assessment & Rewrite is to review and evaluate the existing Code for the following:

• Align with the recommendations found in the Vision Worthington Plan, Worthington Together Comprehensive Plan, Northeast Area Plan, and other applicable City plans.
• Ensure the Code supports Worthington’s unique character and vision for the future as found in adopted plans.
• Streamline the planning and zoning procedures while still facilitating high-quality development.
• Modernize definitions, terms, and uses throughout the Code.
• Incorporate established zoning code best practices, including innovative development tools and flexible standards that promote investment and high-quality design.
• Incorporate graphics, maps, and illustrations throughout the Code that will provide a visual guide depicting the requirements, recommendations, and concepts detailed in the new Planning & Zoning Code.
• Improve overall organization and ease of use by clarifying references and cross-references to other sections of the code.
• Consider areas where the Code is silent to determine regulations that need to be added and areas where silence is intentional.
• Reduce barriers to business development.
• Reduce barriers to existing residents who wish to make improvements.
• Streamline/incentivize compliant development proposals for residents and property owners throughout the City.
• Update subdivision process and procedures.
• Stormwater Management – Incorporate modern policies for water quality and quantity.
• Streamline floodplain permitting process and address preservation, non-floodplain riparian areas.
• Environmental considerations geared towards specific goals like natural resource protection, sustainable design, and green infrastructure.
• Explore maximum coverage requirements.
• Review and update fee structure.
• Impacts pertaining to the Residential Code of Ohio and the Ohio Building Code on any proposed changes.
• Ensure legal soundness and consistency with all local, state and federal regulations.
• Improve clarity and usability for the residents, property owners, developers, and City staff.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The following outline details the core services required from the selected consultant. This framework is intended to provide general guidance and is not an exhaustive list; the City of Worthington remains open to all viable, innovative approaches that achieve the project's goals. 

Engagement. The consultant shall work with a Code Review Committee that will be made up of at a minimum of a representative of the Worthington Together Community Committee, Architectural Review Board, Municipal Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, City Council liaison to ARB & MPC, and relevant City staff.

Initial Code Assessment. Collaborate closely with City staff to conduct a preliminary assessment, identifying the key strengths and weaknesses of the current Planning & Zoning Code.

Comprehensive Assessment Review. Conduct a thorough review of the Planning & Zoning Code, which includes the Subdivision Regulations and prepare an executive summary detailing all identified deficiencies. The review must address, at a minimum:

• Consistency and inconsistency with the City of Worthington’s Comprehensive Plan, Vision Worthington, Northeast Area Plan, and all other applicable City plans.
• Current staff feedback and operational requirements.
• Compliance with current state, federal, and case law.
• Overall cohesiveness, consistency, and alignment.
• Enforceability and administrative clarity.
• Practical workability for both City staff and the general public.

Recommendations and New Code Framework. Develop targeted recommendations to resolve issues identified in the assessment phase, followed by the creation of a detailed working outline for the new Code structure.

Draft Development and Refinement. Produce an initial comprehensive draft of the updated Planning and Zoning Code. Facilitate presentations and working sessions with the Code Review Committee, Board of Zoning Appeals, Municipal Planning Commission, Architectural Review Board, and City Council; revise the draft based on feedback, maintain a detailed track change log, and identify necessary corresponding updates to the Zoning Map.

Development Review Checklists. Create standardized review checklists for residents, developers, and staff use, covering areas such as site design, design guidelines, riparian requirements, and subdivision requirements.

Non-Conforming Use Mapping. Provide mapping that clearly identifies parcels containing uses or structures inconsistent with the proposed new Code standards and regulations.

Legal Review and Consultation. Provide necessary legal counsel on specific process questions that arise and conduct a full, thorough legal review of the final draft prior to adoption.  Coordination with the City’s Law Department is expected.

Facilitation of Adoption. Support the City through the formal adoption process, including presentations and/or workshops with the Code Review Committee, Municipal Planning Commission, Architectural Review Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, and City Council, managing all subsequent amendments through final adoption of the new Planning & Zoning Code and Zoning Map.

Education. The selected consultant will be responsible for assisting City staff in educating the Code Review Committee, Municipal Planning Commission, Architectural Review Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, and City Council on the basics of planning and zoning principles as outlined in the new Planning & Zoning Code and Zoning Map. In addition to the Code Review Committee, the City envisions a minimum of one joint educational work session to take place with the Boards, Commission, and Council.

PROPOSAL CONTENTS & SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Proposals must be received by the City of Worthington Planning & Building Department no later than 12:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time) on November 2, 2026. Proposals must be addressed to:

City of Worthington
ATTN: Lee Brown, AICP, Director
Planning & Building Department
374 Highland Avenue
Worthington, OH 43085

Proposal envelopes must be clearly marked "Request for Proposal – Assessment & Rewrite of the Planning & Zoning Code for the City of Worthington, OH." Please submit five (5) copies and one (1) electronic copy (USB flash drive or email).

Full RFP documents are available from the City of Worthington’s website at Worthington.org/RFP