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Planning & Development Services

Guiding the development of the City in a manner that enhances quality of life, promotes distinctive neighborhoods, supports businesses and protects the environment through professional, positive, solution-oriented planning, permitting, zoning, and enforcement services.

Photo of the front Washington Square as it faces Main Street. The leaves on the surrounding street trees are green.
Development Review & Permitting

The Development Center provides a single point-of-entry for construction review and permitting. The staff shepherds projects from plan submittal to permitting ensuring that reviews are completed concurrently where possible.

Building Inspections

The Building Inspections Division reviews plans and monitors construction work to ensure it conforms to established building codes and regulations. Staff also provide inspections for businesses when they move or open in a new location to make sure the space is safe and meets building codes.

Planning

The Planning Division facilitates and implements long and short-range plans for the City, its business districts, corridors, and neighborhoods. The Division also works directly with historic preservation and urban design districts and guidelines.

Land Development & Zoning

The Land Development & Zoning Divisions administer the City’s Unified Development Ordinance. This covers issues such as the subdivision of land, group developments, where certain uses can be established, the size and placement of buildings, signage, and parking requirements among others.

Reporting

Planning & Development Services compiles a number of reports that help policy makers, citizens, and staff better understand key trends, while increasing knowledge surrounding ongoing programs and policies.

Contact Us

Planning and Development Services staff are available to assist you during normal business hours by telephone, email, or in person. Our offices are located in Washington Square at the corner of Main and Washington Streets. Metered parking is available on the street, in the public lot across from and in the Washington Street Parking Garage, located adjacent to Washington Square.

Not sure who to contact about an issue?  This list of contacts by topic might help.

Contact List

Hours of Operation

8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Monday – Friday

Address

1136 Washington Street
Columbia, SC 29201

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