How Rules Shape Housing in Akron | aka Zoning
The rules a city sets play a big role in what kinds of homes get built, where they go, and how easy it is to add new housing.
What zoning does
Zoning and land-use rules decide what a lot can hold. For example, whether a lot can hold one home, two homes, or an apartment building.
These rules also shape how buildings look and fit into a neighborhood.
What zoning looks like today
Most of Akron is zoned for single-family homes only. That means one home per lot, with one household living in it.
Duplex and apartment zones exist, but they are limited. They are often near business areas, downtown, or the University of Akron.
Akron’s zoning rules and map were last updated in June 2019. A zoning map is available online. (Link to zoning map)
Because so much of the city allows only single-family homes, it can be hard to add new housing—especially smaller or lower-cost options—without changing the rules.
Who sets and applies the rules
Several city boards and departments play a role in zoning and land-use decisions:
City of Akron Department of Planning and Urban Development writes and updates zoning rules, reviews development plans, and works with community partners on neighborhood planning and land reuse.1
Akron City Planning Commission reviews proposed zoning changes, rezonings, and major development requests. The commission is made up of residents appointed by the mayor and makes recommendations to City Council.2
Board of Zoning Appeals reviews requests for exceptions to zoning rules, such as smaller setbacks, taller buildings, or different uses than normally allowed. It also hears appeals when property owners believe zoning rules were applied unfairly.3
Urban Design and Historic Preservation Commission reviews certain development projects for design and historic impact, including changes to designated historic buildings or districts. The commission decides whether proposed changes fit with the character of historic areas.4
Public process
Public meetings are required for zoning changes.
Even when the city has the legal power to change its rules, residents often oppose changes, which can slow or block new housing.
What the city has been changing
In recent years, Akron has taken steps to make its rules more flexible:
Parking rules were relaxed for apartment buildings. Developers no longer need to provide as many parking spaces, which lowers costs and makes it easier to build on smaller lots.
The city is working to allow homes on narrower lots. This helps vacant or oddly shaped lots be used.5
Form-based zoning has been adopted in two neighborhoods. These rules focus on how buildings look and fit into their surroundings, not just land use.
Akron is working with nearby cities and nonprofits to better align housing and zoning goals across the region.
Together, these changes are meant to make it easier to build housing that fits existing neighborhoods while increasing the overall number of homes available.
Why this part of the system matters
Zoning rules determine what types of housing can be built and where. These rules affect how many homes are available, what they cost, and what kinds of options exist across the city. Zoning decisions play an important role in shaping housing supply and neighborhood change in Akron.
1 City Charter Sec. 101
2 www.akronohio.gov
3 City Charter Sec. 102; Article 11 - 153.401
4 www.akronohio.gov
5 2024, p. 19