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DELAWARE — Delaware County residents don’t get a hometown discount at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, even though it sits just minutes away.
The reason why is simple: they don’t pay into it.
Franklin County residents do, through a voter-approved property tax levy that helps fund the zoo’s operations. In return, they receive discounted admission and membership rates.
Without a similar levy in Delaware County, zoo officials say there are no plans to offer residents a comparable discount.
By the numbers
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium attracts over 2 million visitors annually.
A 2022 Regionomics study of 2021 zoo operations found that of those 2 million visitors,
- 40% were Franklin County residents.
- 24% were surrounding central Ohio counties residents.
- 24% were residents of Ohio counties outside the region.
- 11% were out-of-state visitors.
Those 900,000 Franklin County residents make up the biggest slice of the pie — perhaps because they receive a special discount.
Franklin County residents receive a $9-10 discount on online and in-person day pass purchases to the Columbus Zoo, and they save anywhere from $20-65 on annual membership plans.
Why the special perks?
Although the zoo is located in Delaware County, only Franklin County residents pay a 0.75-mill levy for operating expenses.
Franklin County residents voted to renew that levy for another 10 years in the November 2025 election, as they last did in 2015.
The levy amounts to $11 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value and funds about 20% of the zoo’s operating budget, paying for food and veterinary care for the zoo’s animals, according to a Columbus Dispatch article.
Franklin County voters have chosen to support the zoo through levies since 1985, whereas that decision has never been put before Delaware County voters at the ballot.
Will Delaware County ever see a similar levy?
There is no plan to propose a levy to Delaware County voters, according to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Director of Communications Jen Fields.
The zoo has also never approached Delaware County, or other surrounding counties, with the idea before.
But if the zoo ever did consider proposing a levy to Delaware County voters, Fields said the process would include collaboration with community leaders and lots of public discussion.
“The zoo is always open to exploring options that could benefit residents in surrounding counties, including approaches similar to Franklin County’s levy-supported model, if there is community interest,” Fields said.
“Franklin County residents receive discounted admission specifically because they support the zoo through a voter‑approved levy,” she said. “We have not yet explored other discount structures for Delaware County residents outside of a levy framework.
Other discounts are available
Although Delaware County residents do not receive a special residency discount, there are still other ways to save on zoo admission.
Zoo after 2 p.m.
From now until May 22, people who visit the zoo and aquarium after 2 p.m. receive tickets priced at $19.95. No children or senior discounts apply to the deal, but children under the age of 3 always free admittance.
Culture Pass
At select Columbus Metropolitan Libraries locations, library cardholders can check out a Culture Pass, which will grant them a free visit to the Zoo.
Cardholders will receive a Zoo Culture Pass, which they can use once within two days of acquiring it, and take it with them to the Zoo’s entrance. The Culture Pass can be redeemed for up to six adults and/or children, according to the zoo’s website.
The pass can only be checked out in-person. Find the list of participating libraries and how to check availability of a Culture Pass here.
The Culture Pass program also offers free admission to other organizations and events, including the Columbus Symphony, The Dawes Arboretum, Franklin Park Conservatory and more.
EBT cardholders
If you are an Ohio Direction EBT cardholder, you and your family also qualify for a special membership plan price of $65.
The membership admits up to two spouses/domestic partners in the same household plus up to six either dependent children or grandchildren.
The membership option requires documents to be uploaded ahead of time, with the zoo recommending the process be done online.
COTA Zoo bus discount
By riding a COTA Bus to the zoo, you receive $5 admission to the zoo or $10 off Zoombezi Bay tickets, according to COTA’s website.
The discount begins May 9 with Saturday and Sundays only until May 24, and daily rides last from May 25 to Sept. 7.
The ride costs $2 each way, and COTA recommends large groups or families bring exact cash because buses cannot make change. Buses do feature digital payment methods, such as Tap to Pay or the Transit app, but it can only be used for one rider.
Once on the bus, ask the operator for a Zoo Bus coupon; they will distribute one per customer. Once at the zoo, present the coupon to verify your discount eligibility at the admissions window.
The zoo bus picks up zoo-goers at the following stops:
- East State Street and South High Street
- South High Street and East Broad Street
- West Spring Street and North Front Street
- Riverside Drive and Nottingham Road
- Dublin Dale Drive Park and Ride
Find more information and stops from the zoo at the COTA website.
