Throughout the City of Columbia, there are 15 Historic District Zoning Overlays that have their own unique set of principles and guidelines. In addition, there are individual buildings and sites which have locally-designated historic statuses. There are over 180 structures with individual landmark status in the City of Columbia. While these individual landmarks may or may not be located within the City’s 15 historic districts, they are also subject to standards set forth in Section 17-2.5(g) of the Unified Development Ordinance which are incorporated into the guidelines on the historic landmarks page.
The design review process for Columbia’s historic preservation district and landmarks is administered by the Design/Development Review Commission (D/DRC) and preservation 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 staff level or must be directed through the Commission according to City Ordinance.
Curious about the design review process? Check out this informational brochure.
Map of Historic Preservation & Urban Design Districts (click to enlarge)
Types of Historic Districts
The most common historic overlays in Columbia come in two forms: a protection area or an architectural conservation district.
The stronger of the two historic preservation overlays is the architectural conservation district. These districts are intended to preserve the form of the neighborhood as well as the general character of its individual structures, including the preservation of historic materials. Generally, all exterior work, including changes to windows, siding, porch details or other architectural features, is reviewed. Any materials used on structures in architectural conservation districts are typically required to match the original, and modern materials that approximate historic appearance may be considered for use on new construction.
Meanwhile, a protection area is a different form of historic preservation overlay. Unlike the architectural conservation district, a protection area is intended to protect the general form and character of the district as much of its historic materials have been replaced over the years. For this reason, more emphasis is placed on the district as a whole rather than on individual structures. Generally, review of work in these districts largely is limited to additions, new construction, demolition, and certain site improvements such as fences and driveways. Additionally, modern materials that approximate historic appearance may be considered for review for individual design features.
If you have any questions about Columbia’s historic districts, please contact the staff representative for your district.
List of Historic Districts
- Cottontown/Bellevue Architectural Conservation District
- Earlewood Protection Area A& B
- Elmwood Park Architectural Conservation District
- Governor’s Mansion Protection Area
- Granby Architectural Conservation District
- Landmark District
- Melrose Heights/Oak Lawn Architectural Conservation District
- Oakwood Court Architectural Conservation District
- Old Shandon/Lower Waverly Protection Area A & B
- Seminary Ridge Protection Area
- University Architectural Conservation District
- Wales Garden Architectural Conservation District
- Waverly Protection Area
- West Gervais Street Historic Commercial District & West Gervais Protection Area
- Whaley Street Protection Area
Community Character Areas
While Community Character areas are not historic districts, they are meant to provide a level of protection, minimizing the possibility that demolition and construction activity within a residential community would drastically negatively affect the existing character of that community. Neighborhoods which have elected to have this overlay have a review for demolition and new construction on newly subdivided lots. Community Character areas are subject to the regulations set forth in Sec. 17-3.7i of the City of Columbia’s Code of Ordinances (you can find the most current version of the Unified Development Ordinance here).
If you have further questions, or would like to more information, please contact us.
Not sure if your property is within an Overlay District? Check out the City Information Viewer Interactive Online Map.