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
Virtual Meeting to Shape County’s Land Development Code Rewrite
Richland County will hold a virtual public meeting to receive input during the process of rewriting its land development code (LDC).
The LDC regulates land use, growth and development in the County. The code regulates development and covers standards for zoning districts and dwelling units allowed per acre, along with building location, permitted uses, signs and landscaping, among other qualities.
The County’s current LDC was adopted in 2005. It has seen minor revisions since then, but the current process will mark the first comprehensive update. With a draft of the rewritten LDC now complete, it can be reviewed by residents and stakeholders.
The meeting will feature an update on the project, followed by an overview of the latest installment of draft regulations, emphasizing new concepts and departures from the current regulations. Prior to and during the discussion, attendees can give feedback and ask questions of County staff and consultants from Clarion Associates, who are helping with the rewrite via email at NIP@RICHLANDCOUNTYSC.GOV. Questions and comments can be emailed in advance.
The meeting will be held virtually:
- 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. Thursday, May 13
To learn more, visit the County’s website for zoning ordinance and land development updates: weplantogether.org.
* To view the meeting please click here.