Legislative Update #7
- kelliottbg
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
City Council held a regular meeting, Monday, April 20th at 7 pm. Six pieces of legislation were introduced and six were adopted.
Ordinance 9349 enacting and adopting the 2026 S-18 Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Bowling Green, Ohio was introduced and adopted after the rules were suspended and it received its second and third reading. This is a formal adoption of the eighteenth supplement to our codified ordinances. The Code of Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green is published online by American Legal Publishing.
Ordinance 9350 providing supplemental and/or amending appropriations for the current fiscal year was introduced and adopted after the rules were suspended and it received its second and third reading. Appropriations changes were made to expense fees from the Wood County Auditor’s Office and re-allocate funds for seasonal labor.
Ordinance 9351 amending and adopting Chapter 33 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, regarding employment policies was introduced. This updates job titles, creates an Administrator – Community Development position, and updates language.
Ordinance 9352 authorizing participation in the ODOT road salt contracts awarded in 2026 was introduced and adopted with an emergency clause after the rules were suspended and it received its second and third reading. This legislation lets us participate in ODOT’s salt purchasing program. It gives us the lowest bid price. The emergency clause was required to meet ODOT’s May 1st deadline.
Ordinance 9353 creating Section 124 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bowling Green, concerning Short-Term Rentals was introduced. This legislation would require all short term rentals to be registered and inspected with the same rules as other rental dwellings per Chapter 121. Unlike other rental dwellings, there would be a yearly $150 registration fee. Occupancy would be limited to two people per bedroom plus three more. For example, a three bedroom house could have no more than 9 occupants. The hotel-motel tax of 4% would apply. It also sets requirements on advertising and safety equipment and prohibits discrimination. Enforcement actions and violations are also included.
Ordinance 9354 amending and adopting certain sections of Chapter 150 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of BG, regarding zoning code was introduced. A public hearing was set for June 1 at 6:30 pm. These are the changes the Planning Commission discussed and held a public hearing on April 1st. The following is the information I posted then:
Proposed text amendments to Chapter 150 Zoning Code; Section 150.11 Certificates of Appropriateness, Section 150.18 Vision Clearance Triangle, Section 150.42 Comprehensive Use Table, Section 150.44 Accessory Uses, Section 150.79 Fences, Section 150.81 Outdoor Lighting, Section 150.82 Signs Regulations in All Zones and Districts, Section 150.84 Sign Regulations Table, Section 150.92 Zoning Certificate, Section 150.94 Application and Issuance of Zoning Certificate, 150.97 Zoning Certificate Application Completeness, Section 150.98 Planning Director Duties- Powers and Duties, Section 150.104 Zoning Board of Appeals-Appeals of Planning Director Decisions, and Article VII Glossary of Terms.
I will post a link to the YouTube recording of the March Planning Commission meeting where the changes were discussed. Below are some highlights:
The City will be changing from paper zoning applications to an on-line portal. Adjustments in language need to be made to reflect that.
Language on vision clearance triangles is being updated for clarity.
The Comprehensive Use Table is being updated to list Telecommunications Facility as a conditional rather than permitted use in Institutional Zoning to match Section 150.67.
Currently, accessory structures that are 100 square feet or less in size can be located in the front yard setback. This includes things such as gazebos, pergolas or trellises , swing sets or play houses , sheds, and tree houses . A full definition and examples can be found on page 51 of the Zoning Code pdf 150.44 Accessory Uses. The proposed change would no longer allow those structures to be located in the front yard setback. Front yard setbacks are specific for each zone and district but most residential areas have front yard setbacks of 20-25 feet.
Moving signs such as feather banners would be allowed as a type of temporary sign.
Building Identification Signs would be allowed in R-3, C, IE, MUN, A-1, R-C, PR, UR, IC, and CB in addition to the currently allowed I and G.
The definition of “Sexually Oriented Business” is being corrected.
Resolution 3904 authorizing the City Attorney to petition the Board of County Commissioners of Wood County, Ohio, to change township lines was adopted after its third reading. This makes sure township and municipal corporation boundaries are updated to reflect previous annexations.
Ordinance 9346 amending and adopting Chapter 155 of the Codified Ordinances of BG, regarding Community Reinvestment Areas was amended by substitution and adopted as amended by substitution. This makes changes to an existing economic development tool by clarifying language and meeting requirements in the Ohio Revised Code as well as increasing the qualifying remodeling amount to $50,000 from $25,000. The amendment removed the language requiring owner occupancy for residential dwellings of one, two, and three units.
Ordinance 9347 authorizing the Utilities Director to sign an agreement with Bowling Green State University for exterior painting of the Carter Park Water Tower and declaring an emergency was adopted with an emergency clause.
Upcoming Events
The next regular meeting of City Council will be held Monday, May 4th at 7 pm.
The primary election will be held Tuesday, May 5th. Polls are open 6:30 am - 7:30 pm. Early voting is going on now.
As always, I want to hear from you!
The link to the March Planning Commission meeting with discussion on the zoning code changes:
The link to the April Planning Commission meeting including the public hearing on the zoning code changes:
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