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City Center + Innovista Design Districts + Guidelines Sunset 1/5/2026

For active applications submitted prior to January 5, 2026, design review will continue under the City Center or Innovista Design Guidelines through permitting. Any applications submitted after January 5, 2026 shall be reviewed under the new Downtown Design Guidelines if within the district boundaries. If questions arise over which guidelines apply during this transition, please contact Tristan Kercher, Urban Design Planner, at Tristan.Kercher@ColumbiaSC.gov or (803) 545-3181.

Urban Design Overlay Districts

Throughout the City of Columbia, there are three Urban Design Overlay Districts that have their own unique set of principles and guidelines.

The design review process for Columbia’s design districts is administered by the Design/Development Review Commission (DDRC) and the design review staff. All projects come directly to staff for consultation first. Staff may then direct the applicant as to whether the project can be approved at the staff level, or must be directed through the Commission according to City Ordinance.

List of Design Districts

a map of the urban design and historic preservation zoning overlay districts, with urban design districts in solid light blue, historic preservation districts in navy cross hatching, individual landmarks in blue with dots, and community character districts outlined in navy blue.

Map of Urban Design & Historic Preservation Overlay Districts (click to open the map as a PDF)

If you have further questions, or would like to more information, please contact us. 

Not sure if your property is within a Design Overlay District?  Check out the City Information Viewer Interactive Online Map.

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