City Planning and Engagement Menu

Cincinnati Hillside Initiative: Ensuring Safe and Responsible Developments and Solutions

 

The City is seeking public input for consideration during the evaluation phase of the Cincinnati Hillside Initiative. Your input will help us understand community experiences with the hillside and shape the policies that affect future development in our hillside neighborhoods. Click here to fill out the survey now!

 

Cincinnati’s Hillsides

Did you know that approximately 19% of the City of Cincinnati’s incorporated area consists of hillsides defined by slopes of 20% or greater?

Cincinnati’s hillsides are part of what make our city landscape unique. They provide recreational green space with beautiful viewsheds as well as opportunities for residential and commercial development. Hillside development must be approached with care and precision to overcome soil instability and protect infrastructure, existing buildings, and the environment, while also contributing to thriving communities.

For more information about Cincinnati’s hillsides, including their history, visit The Hillside Trust.
 

Cincinnati Hillside Initiative

The City’s current building and zoning codes and regulations have been in place for several decades. Today, we have a better understanding of hillside construction, potential impacts, industry experience, and more.

Zoning Code - Hillside Overlay Districts Map - Hillside Overlay


Cincinnati’s hillsides are critical to the city’s natural identity, urban character, and environmental health. Historic studies from 1969, 1975, and 1991 recognized their significance and vulnerability. However, current zoning and development regulations—while robust—lack a unified, updated framework that integrates geotechnical realities, visual impact, and sustainable land use. Modern development pressures demand renewed regulatory alignment and design guidance.
 

Project Approach

The Cincinnati Hillside Initiative is a city-led effort, in partnership with The Hillside Trust, to evaluate, streamline, and improve our hillside building and zoning codes. This initiative will ensure that future projects are developed safely and responsible with clear, consistent engineering design solutions while keeping community impact and sense of place in mind.

These updated changes will remove potential ambiguity in current guidelines and provide developers, engineers, and contractors with a set of prescriptive, alternative design methodologies through the building and zoning codes.
 

Expected Outcomes
  • Reassess Hillside Overlay District maps and zoning design standards
  • Evaluate, streamline, and improve our hillside building and zoning codes
  • Stronger hillside protections based on enhanced engineering standards
  • Remove potential ambiguity in current guidelines
  • Provide a set of prescriptive, alternative design methodologies through the building code
  • Reassess construction management standards
     
Project Benefits

The Cincinnati Hillside Initiative will provide the following benefits to Cincinnati’s hillside communities:

  • Ensure projects are designed and constructed with sound engineering principles and responsible development

  • Address risks of landslides and erosion for future and existing properties

  • Protect infrastructure and maintain natural drainage patterns

  • Balance community growth with environmental responsibility

  • Preserve natural beauty and ecological function of our hillsides, including preserving native vegetation
     

Upcoming Meetings

  • Virtual Public Engagement Session
    Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM
    Held in person at the Price Hill Recreation Center
    located at 959 Hawthorne Avenue, Cincinnati OH, 45205

    Join us to learn more about the Cincinnati Hillside Initiative and share experiences with the hillsides to guide future policy recommendations. To register, fill out the form at the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/HT6hajXYcm

  • Public Engagement Session
    Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 6:00 7:30 PM
    Held virtually on Zoom

    Join us to learn more about the Cincinnati Hillside Initiative and share experiences with the hillsides to guide future policy recommendations. To register, fill out the form at the following link: https://cincinnati-oh.zoom.us/meeting/register/qCdm86UzQG-llrO_blATEQ
     

Can’t make the meetings but still want to provide feedback? Fill out the survey here!

 

Stay In Touch

Stay up-to-date with upcoming events and announcements by signing up for the Cincinnati Hillside Initiative email list!