Planning Department
Contact Information
Planning Department
2020 Hampton Street 1st Floor
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 576-2190
Mission
The mission of the Department of Planning and Development Services is to create better communities in Richland County through a public planning process. This is accomplished by incorporating best practices for balancing environmental and economic concerns in County land use regulations, creating incentives for redeveloping sites, revitalizing communities and employing GIS illustrating data to make complex problems easier to understand.
Divisions and Programs
Comprehensive Planning
Neighborhood Planning
E-911 Addressing and Road Naming
Floodplain Management
Development Services
Boards and Commissions
Planning Commission
Board of Zoning Appeals
Zoning Public Hearings
2017 Meeting Dates
Land Development Code Rewrite
New Land Development Code Will Shape Growth for County's Future
REMAPPING RESTART
View the below information to obtain more information on the Remapping Restart for the LDC Rewrite
View the Land Development Code as adopted on November 16, 2021. The process of developing a new Zoning Map is currently underway.
Through the newly adopted 2021 LDC, the older 2005 code will be replaced and repealed. This will require that every property in unincorporated Richland County receive new zoning that falls under the newly adopted code. Read about and view the information on this page to learn more about the new Land Development Code.
View the Big Differences between the Old Code and New Code.
Learn more about Zoning in Richland County through informational videos on the County's YouTube page.
Residents and property owners can also visit the Zoning office on the first floor of the County Administration Building, at 2020 Hampton St., Columbia, during business hours, or schedule a one-on-one meeting with a Planning & Zoning staff member to learn more about the code. Those with questions or wanting more information should email LandDevelopmentCode@richlandcountysc.gov or call 803-576-2190.
The purpose of the Rewrite is to develop 21st Century regulations that implement the County’s vision for where and how it grows, are user-friendly for all citizens, align with current best practices, allow for development in different contexts, provide for higher-quality development, and support a more sustainable Richland County.
The LDC is the adopted law of the county that regulates land use, growth, and development. It governs everything from the types of uses, location, and size of a development within various zones, as well as establishes the procedures for how development proposals are reviewed, including approvals and denials. The LDC also controls various development and subdivision standards such as parking, landscaping, signs, addressing, building form, and open space within a development, and the division and platting of land as well as road layout and other infrastructure requirements.
The current LDC was adopted in 2005, which included an update from the code established in 1977. The Code Rewrite will be a significant departure from the current LDC and will not simply be an update or provide revisions but institute an entirely new land development code. Major differences to expect include:
- More user-friendly
- User-friendliness consolidates and reorganizes the LDC structure; includes illustrations, diagrams, flowcharts, tables; uses down-to-earth language; and standardizes procedures for applications and submittals.
- Implements policies of PLAN Richland County
- Implementing Plan Richland provides a greater range and type of housing choice than historically possible; eases the ability to undertake infill, redevelopment, and investment for commercial properties; enables preservation and continuance of rural character and working lands with appropriate zoning; allows for more open space, better conservation of land, incentives for green practices; and allows for military operations to continue and avoid encroachments.
- Aligns zoning districts and uses with current best-practices
- New districts, new uses, and new use standards allow for development in different contexts versus a one-size-fits-all approach throughout all areas of the County
- Bring development standards into the 21st Century
- Through contemporary development standards, such as modernized parking standards, minimum open space requirements, design and form standards, the new code will help provide for quality development all County residents can agree upon and enhance the quality of development.
- More green and sustainable development
- Green development practices will help provide a more sustainable County and more sustainable development pattern that benefits all.
View presentations on the LDC Rewrite material on the County’s YouTube channel.
Questions, Concerns, Information?
Email LandDevelopmentCode@richlandcountysc.gov or call 803-576-2190.
Commercial Facade Improvement Program
Application Submittal Period is currently open lasts through June 1st, 2021 (late applications may still be accepted), or until all funds have been expended, whichever occurs first. Applications will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis.
The Richland County Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) has developed a Commercial Façade Improvement Program (CFIP) for the Broad River Road Corridor and Trenholm Acres and Newcastle Neighborhoods commercial areas to encourage businesses to improve the exterior appearance of their buildings, storefronts, and signage. This program provides up to $15,000 per activity in funds to finance exterior improvements to a property owner or tenant’s commercial building. The program is designed to retain and attract businesses, strengthen the commercial corridor, increase utilization of existing businesses, restore economic vitality, and enhance property values.
Funding
The program provides for a one-time maximum funding of $15,000 of County investment per improvement for businesses and properties. Eligible projects do not require a funding match, with the County providing 100% of possible funding up to $15,000.
Payment will be issued to approved vendors upon receiving invoices on business letterhead. Richland County will be responsible for all procurement processes. NIP shall pay the approved vendor directly on behalf of the applicant for eligible improvement expenses not exceeding the approved amount. The Commercial Façade Improvement Program funds shall not be applied retroactively to work started prior to the start of the program nor can it be applied to costs accrued as part of the application submittal process.
Applicant Eligibility and Requirements
Broad River Road Corridor
Eligibility for the program is for commercial businesses fronting Broad River Road from the 2200 block to the 3100 block (properties between the I-20 interchange and St. Andrews Road). The target area is within the Broad River Road Corridor and Community Master Plan, adopted by Richland County Council in 2010.
Trenholm Acres and Newcastle Neighborhoods
Eligibility for the program is for commercial businesses fronting Shakespeare Road from the 5500 block to the 6300 block (properties Fontaine Road and Humphrey Drive) and commercial businesses fronting Parklane Road from the 7300 block to the 7400 block (Moonglo Circle to I-20). The target area is within the Trenholm Acres/Newcastle Neighborhoods Master Plan, adopted by Richland County Council in 2010.
Applicants must be either the owner or tenant of a commercial, retail, or professional business/property with a current structure. If you are a tenant, a copy of the lease along with a Letter of Agency must be signed by the owner of the building with approval for exterior improvements to be completed. Applicants of multiple buildings/businesses may receive funding for more than one building/business, though they must complete separate applications for each. Likewise, all applicants must be currently registered and licensed with the Richland County Business Service Center with all County taxes up to date.
Eligible Improvements
The program allows for any combination of eligible improvement elements including, but not limited to:
- Exterior signs
- Exterior painting
- Parking lot resurfacing or repaving
- Outdoor lighting upgrade or installation
- Security features upgrade or installation
- General façade work
Materials and Documents
Broad River Road
Trenholm Acres and Newcastle Neighborhoods
Contact Information
Project Manager - Matthew Smith
Email - nip@richlandcountysc.gov
Phone - 803-576-2190