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This page contains information regarding the following disciplines within, or services available from, the Planning Division:

• COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
• ANNEXATION 
• CENSUS DATA 
• HISTORIC PRESERVATION/URBAN DESIGN
• LANDSCAPING/TREE PRESERVATION

Please use the scroll bar within your web brower to page down to the desired information.

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING

The Columbia Plan 2018
The Columbia Plan is the Comprehensive Plan for the whole City of Columbia.  This plan is a guide to help outline and propose what the future of Columbia could be and look like.  This 10-year plan is currently being written by the Planning Staff.  Public input drives this planning initiative and we would love to hear your suggestions and input.  Click on the links below for more details.  For additional information or questions contact Jeff Crick at 545.3181 or at jscrick@columbiasc.net.

TCP   (One page summary)     (Presentation)

Fall Public Input Memo               Public Input Results 

May 2008 Meetings

Public Input Boards

THE COLUMBIA PLAN 2018  (FIRST DRAFT)

For information, contact Nathaniel B. Land, Jr., AICP at (803) 545-3222.

ANNEXATION                                                                                                                                                            The Planning Division is responsible for the facilitation and management of the annexation process. If you desire or require annexation into the City of Columbia, please contact either Skip Hudson at 803.545.3217 or Nathaniel B. Land, Jr., AICP, at 803.545.3222 to initiate the process. If your property is contiguous with the City of Columbia and you desire new water service, you will be required to annex into the City. The City of Columbia Engineering and Utilities Department will not review your plans for new water service until a signed, stamped petition for annexation is received. 

In order to efficiently facilitate the preparation of an annexation petition, please provide the following documents:     

Stamped Copy of Recorded Deed

Property Survey or Recorded Plat, no larger than 11"x17"(preliminary plans for a proposed subdivision development do not constitute a property survey or recorded plat)                                                                 

Certification of Zoning Classification (County Zoning Map) 

Letter of Agency (only required if you are acting as an agent for the legal owner)

Annexation Petition Tracking Form

CENSUS INFORMATION
For Columbia's census data up to the year 2000, please see City of Columbia Census Tract Profiles. For additional information or questions, contact Skip Hudson at (803) 545-3217.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION/URBAN DESIGN
The rich history of Columbia is told in its many beautiful and architecturally important structures. The preservation of historic districts and buildings in the city, as well as the evolution of compatible and spirited new development, not only informs Columbia’s cultural life, but also its economic livelihood.  See Historic Preservation/Urban Design for information on the City's urban and historic districts, as well as information about design review, the Design Development Review Commission, and additional resources.

Many of the City's historic districts have design guidelines. For information about the design guidelines for your neighborhood, please click on the appropriate link below. If you don't see your neighborhood, please call Amy Moore at 545.3335 with questions.

• Cottontown/Bellevue DRAFT Guidelines
• Earlewood Protection Area Design Guidelines
• Melrose Heights/Oak Lawn Architectural Conservation District Design Guidelines
• Old Shandon/Waverly Protection Area Design Guidelines
• Oakwood Court Architectural Conservation District Guidelines and Map
• University Hills Architectural Conservation District Guidelines and Map
• Waverly Protection Area Design Guidelines
• Wales Garden Architectural Conservation District Guidelines and Map

Applications and other necessary documents are available upon the Applications Page of this website. 

Please click here for more information about the proposed Interim Measures for Community Character Protection.

The City of Columbia commissioned a city-wide historic preservation survey in 1991. This study, directed by John M. Bryan, a professor at the University of South Carolina, was intended to provide recommendations for further historic preservation within city limits to eligible properties and areas. John Bryan and his associates surveyed over 42 square miles, reviewing 30,000 properties, almost 3500 of them intensively. Seventeen areas were recommended for local historic district designation (brief histories of each are included) with many individual properties listed as being worthy of further investigation. The project required two years to finish and included an inventory and survey of historic properties in Columbia; areas potentially eligible for preservation and research on these areas; and recommendations for the review commission (at that time known as the Landmark Commission), including public awareness programs, preservation incentives, etc. This study continues to be used today as a tool for preservation planning in Columbia.  To download a full copy of this study, Click Here. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) WARNING:  The study is a large document and may take several minutes to completely load, depending upon the speed/capacity of your Internet connection.

For questions, contact Amy Moore at (803) 545-3335 or at aemoore@columbiasc.net. 

Future Five (Five Points 2006 Master Plan)
Columbia City Council adopted the Future Five master plan for Five Points in 2006. The next step is turning the goals and objectives in the plan into tools that will guide the future growth of five points. The Planning Division has been charged with this task, and public input is an important part of the process. Click on the links below to read the plan documents. For more information or questions, contact Lucinda Statler at 545.3215.

LANDSCAPING/TREE PRESERVATION
Columbia’s trees and green space enhance the city’s livability on many levels.  The color, form, and movement of plants contrast with and soften the hard edges of building and paving.  Trees purify the air, help keep our waterways clean, provide summer shade and wildlife habitat, and impart a sense of restfulness in a busy city.  Below are links to the ordinance and guidelines in PDF format.

Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinance 
Alphabetized Index to the Ordinance
Administrative Guidelines   This document provides an explanation of the Landscape Ordinance in easy to understand language.

(PDF requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) WARNING:  The Landscape Ordinance & Guidelines are large documentss, and it may take several minutes to completely load, depending upon the speed/capacity of your Internet connection. For questions, contact Nancy Lee Trihey at (803) 545-3218 or nltrihey@columbiasc.net.