Apply for Residential Tax Incentives

Program Guidelines

Click here to submit a Residential Tax Incentive application.

Notices:

• All applications must be submitted electronically.
• Applications must be submitted within two (2) years following completion of the project.
• Program policy updates are coming after August 31, 2023. Please reference Ordinance 1839-2023(PDF, 485KB), Directors Rules (adopted 8.11.23)(PDF, 266KB), and Policy Comparison Chart (effective 8.16.23)(PDF, 106KB)

For additional information, please contact:

Jeremy Heater-Druhot
(614) 645-8530
restaxabatement@columbus.gov

The core principle of The City of Columbus’ housing abatement policy is to foster private sector investment to build mixed income neighborhoods.

Community Investment Area (CRA) designations approved by City Council are listed below. Each CRA area has various expiration dates and terms. The program is delineated into two distinct categories, those created prior to July 1994 ("pre-1994") and those created after the law changes went into effect after July 1994.

• Click here to find out if your property is located within an eligible CRA.
• Click here to view a downloadable map of all Residential CRAs.(PDF, 2MB)

Post 94 CRA – New Changes

The City’s existing post-1994 Community Reinvestment Areas are divided into three categories based on the evaluation of six distress criteria.

The distress criteria represent a mixture of indicators that are measured over a period of time and as a snapshot in time, to give the most accurate picture of neighborhood growth.

All categories will be reevaluated every three years to capture the most accurate and real time changes occurring in the neighborhood.

Market Ready Maps

(Areas Meeting 1-2 Distress Criteria) 

• AC HUMKO CRA(PDF, 58KB)
• Fifth by Northwest CRA(PDF, 536KB)
• Grandview Crossing CRA(PDF, 3MB)
• Kenny and Henderson CRA(PDF, 125KB)
• Quarry CRA(PDF, 3MB)
• Short North CRA(PDF, 677KB)

Ready for Revitalization Maps

(Areas Meeting 2-4 Distress Criteria) 

• 161 CRA(PDF, 4MB)
• Brookwood CRA(PDF, 6MB)
• Cleveland Avenue CRA(PDF, 4MB)
• Crosswoods CRA(PDF, 3MB)
• Hilltop CRA map(PDF, 329KB)
• Far East CRA(PDF, 61KB)
• Far South CRA(PDF, 2MB)
• Far West Broad CRA(PDF, 4MB)
• Livingston and James CRA(PDF, 611KB)
• Milo Grogan CRA(PDF, 358KB)
• Near East CRA(PDF, 548KB)
• Northeast CRA(PDF, 494KB)
• Northland CRA map(PDF, 81KB)
• North Central CRA(PDF, 444KB)
• Riverside CRA(PDF, 682KB)
• Southeast CRA(PDF, 801KB)
• Southside CRA(PDF, 449KB)
• Weinland Park CRA(PDF, 3MB)
• West Scioto CRA(PDF, 3MB)

Ready for Opportunity Maps

(Areas Meeting 5-6 Distress Criteria) 

• Franklinton CRA(PDF, 2MB)
• Linden CRA(PDF, 4MB)

Legacy CRA Maps

• Easton Square Place CRA(PDF, 535KB)
• Jeffery Residential CRA(PDF, 452KB)

Tax Benefit

All property owners will continue to pay existing taxes on the property PRIOR to the improvements. The abatement is on the improved value only.

The neighborhoods and schools will also benefit. The schools will continue to receive the current, existing property taxes.

Property tax exemptions will be based on increased valuation of the property, due to significant improvements.

Existing property taxes will continue to be paid.

Apply for a CRA Tax Incentive

Are you interested to see if your property or project is Abatement eligible?

In addition to the completed and signed application for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, supporting documents are required:

Phase 1

Proof of Ownership, Cost Estimate, Bid or Contract, Copy of permit(s), Written Description, and Photos as requested in the application.

Phase 2

Proof of Ownership, Cost Summary, Documentation showing project has been inspected and ALL permits are closed, Photos of the completed project.

Both applications must be submitted to complete the application process even if the project has been completed (see link above for online application).

• Current Fee Schedule(PDF, 228KB)
• Description of Work(PDF, 36KB).
• Notarized Cost Summary(DOCX, 16KB).

What Improvements Qualify

Improvements made under a City–issued construction permit that affect the assessed value of a property. Not all improvements will change the value of a property as determined by County evaluators. Only those applications that include a building permit will be reviewed for eligibility.

City staff will email acknowledgment of receipt and then will notify applicant of deficiency list or confirmation of Conditional or Final approval. A complete and accurate application will increase the efficiency of the approval.

After the improvements are completed, the City of Columbus certifies the completed work to the Franklin County Auditor. The Auditor makes a determination of the increase in value and tax amounts. The value of the increase will be exempted from property tax. For questions regarding specific abatement values please contact the Franklin County Auditor's office at www.franklincountyauditor.com.

If you have additional questions, please email us at restaxabatement@columbus.gov.