Update Applicable to:	Effective Date
All Employers with 15 or more Employees in the City of Columbus	December 3, 2025   Enforcement: January 1, 2027

What happened?

On November 4, 2025, Mayor Andrew Ginther signed into law a new ordinance amending Columbus City Code Chapter 2335.

Overview:

Effective December 3, 2025, and enforceable beginning January 1, 2027, the law prohibits employers with 15 or more employees in Columbus from asking about a job applicant’s salary history and requires them to include a reasonable salary range in all public job postings.

Additional Information:

Summary of Provisions of Chapter 2335

Definitions (§ 2335.01): Defines key terms such as “applicant,” “employer,” “employment posting,” “salary history,” and “inquire,” clarifying the scope of the ordinance.

Purpose (§ 2335.02)
The ordinance aims to promote pay equity and reduce wage discrimination, particularly affecting women and women of color.

Employer Obligations and Restrictions (§ 2335.03):

• Employers may not:
  • Inquire about an applicant’s salary history
  • Screen or reject applicants based on current or prior compensation
  • Require salary history to meet minimum or maximum criteria
  • Rely solely on salary history to determine employment or compensation
  • Retaliate against applicants who do not disclose salary history

• Employers may: Discuss compensation expectations, including unvested equity or deferred compensation

• Salary Range Requirement: All public job postings must include a reasonable salary range based on:
  • Budget flexibility
  • Applicant experience
  • Role responsibilities
  • Growth opportunities
  • Cost of living
  • Market research

• Exceptions: The ordinance does not apply to:
  • Internal transfers or promotions
  • Positions governed by collective bargaining agreements
  • Voluntary, unprompted disclosure of salary history
  • Salary history revealed during background checks (cannot be used to set pay)
  • Re-hires within three years if salary history is already on file
  • Situations where federal, state, or local law permits salary history use

• Scope of Job Postings: Covers both electronic and printed postings intended to recruit for specific positions. Excludes postings republished without employer consent and internal-only postings.

Complaint Procedure (§ 2335.04): Applicants may file complaints with the Columbus Community Relations Commission under § 2331.05(A).

Civil Penalties (§ 2335.05): The Commission may:

• Conduct investigations
• Impose civil penalties
• Refer cases to the City Prosecutor’s Office
• Order employers to cease unlawful behavior (§ 2331.05(B))

Severability (§ 2335.06): If any part of the ordinance is invalidated, the remaining provisions remain enforceable.

Effective Date (§ 2335.07): The law takes effect December 3, 2025, with enforcement beginning January 1, 2027.

Source References

• Columbus City Code Chapter 2335
• Columbus Ordinance 2898-2025 – To amend Chapter 2335 of the Columbus City Codes in order to require pay transparency in job postings; to repeal the existing Chapter 2335

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