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Downtown Columbia Overlay District + Guidelines

The new Downtown Columbia Overlay District and Guidelines are now in effect. Learn more here.

Zoning Division

The City of Columbia uses zoning regulations to preserve, protect, and support the use of existing residences, businesses, and properties. We strive to provide a reasonable expectation of how areas will develop and change over time. Zoning is the tool for carrying out the planning policies of the City.

The Zoning Division enforces the City of Columbia’s Zoning Ordinance by reviewing business license compliance, permit applications, responding to complaints regarding violations, and managing the Board of Zoning Appeals.

UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE

Transitional Period: The new ordinance “UDO” became effective on August 30, 2021. All new submittals on or after August 30th shall be reviewed in accordance with the UDO.

Any development application submitted and accepted as complete prior to August 30th but still pending final action will be reviewed and decided in accordance with the regulations in effect when the application accepted. Any development approvals granted prior to August 30th shall remain valid until their expiration date. For more information on the transitional period, please see Section 17-1.8 of the UDO.

SHORT-TERM RENTALS (STR)

More information on STRs is available on our Unified Development Ordinance page or by clicking here.

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