Landscaping Rules in Columbia, SC (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Columbia, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Columbia's public services director can cut or remove any tree, shrub, bush, or weed overhanging a street or sidewalk once it's found to be a traffic hazard, and can order a private property owner to clear vegetation blocking sight lines at an intersection within ten days of written notice.
Columbia's Traffic-Hazard Tree Trimming Rule
Some RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 12-6(a)-(b)
(a)The director of public services is hereby authorized to remove any and all shrubbery, trees, weeds, bushes or plants of any kind from the streets and sidewalks of the city when it is determined by such officer that the tree, shrub or other plant constitutes a dangerous condition in the movement of motor vehicle traffic within the city or interferes in any way with the orderly and safe moveme...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Columbia's Unified Development Ordinance requires a Tree Removal Permit under Sec. 17-2.5(m) before cutting, destroying, removing, relocating, or transplanting any protected tree, including grand trees and trees credited toward site tree density or landscaping standards. The Zoning Administrator reviews the permit alongside a required landscaping plan and can approve, condition, or deny it.
Columbia Tree Removal Permit for Protected Trees
Some RestrictionsColumbia, SC Unified Development Ordinance § 17-2.5(m)
Purpose The purpose of this subsection is to establish a uniform mechanism of ensuring compliance with Sec. 17-5.4, Tree Protection, in situations where no other development approvals or permits are required. Applicability a. A Tree Removal Permit is required prior to the cutting, destruction, removal, relocation, or transplantation of a protected tree, as defined in Sec. 17-5.4(c)(1), Protecte...
Weed Ordinances
Columbia's Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant to let grass, weeds or other overgrowth exceed one foot in average height on a lot, declaring taller growth a nuisance tied to mosquito breeding, trash accumulation and fire hazard. Vacant lots must be cut at least three times during the April-through-September growing season under Chapter 8, Article VII.
Columbia Caps Weed and Grass Height at One Foot
Some RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 8-301
It shall be unlawful for the owner and/or occupant of property to fail to cut grass, weeds and other overgrowth vegetation on property when the grass, weeds and other overgrowth vegetation is of a greater height than one foot on the average, or to permit the property to serve as a breeding place for mosquitoes, as a collecting place for trash and litter, or as a fire hazard, any one of which si...
Water Restrictions
During a declared drought, Columbia's city manager can order residents, including those who irrigate lawns and gardens, to cut water use by 30 percent, with steeper cuts and rate surcharges as conditions worsen from moderate to severe to extreme. Violating a declared restriction is a misdemeanor.
Columbia Drought Irrigation Cutback Rules
Significant RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 23-70(c)(1)
a.Moderate drought conditions. Voluntary reduction of water use of 30 percent by residential water users, including residential irrigation users, and 15 percent by all other water users;b.Severe drought conditions. Mandatory reduction of water use of 30 percent by residential water users, including residential irrigation users, and a voluntary reduction of 15 percent by all other water users;c....
Rainwater Harvesting
Columbia's Unified Development Ordinance does not mandate rain barrels or cisterns outright, but new development covered by the green building standards can earn 0.50 points toward its required score by installing rain water capture and re-use devices, cisterns, rain filters, or underground storage basins sized at a minimum of 500 gallons for every two residential units, under Sec. 17-5.11(d).
Columbia's Rain Water Capture Point Credit
Light RestrictionsColumbia, SC Unified Development Ordinance § 17-5.11(d), Table 17-5.11(D)(4)
Unless exempted in accordance with (2) below, all new development shall comply with the green building standards of this section. ... Development subject to the standards of this section shall achieve the following minimum number of points from the menu of options shown in Table 17-5.11(d)(4): Green Building Point System. ... Include rain water capture and re-use devices such as cisterns, rain ...
Native Plants
Columbia exempts a planned and managed naturalistic landscape designed for pollinators, birds and wildlife from the citywide one-foot weed-height rule, but only after the owner registers the garden with Code Enforcement. The exemption comes from Section 8-306, which also lets code enforcement rely on certification or a site visit to confirm the space is a real habitat garden, not neglect.
Columbia Lets Registered Naturalistic Gardens Skip Weed Rule
Light RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 8-306(2)
Registration with City of Columbia Code Enforcement is required to maintain a naturalistic garden within the city. Owners or persons in control of such gardens shall contact code enforcement to provide vital information, such as address and contact information. Property owners must also provide evidence of certification with an organization such as those listed in subsection (1) or submit to a ...
Composting
Columbia does not mandate curbside or backyard composting, but new residential development covered by the city's green building standards can earn 0.25 points toward its required score by providing at least one on-site composting station for every 25 dwelling units, an Urban Agriculture menu item under Sec. 17-5.11(d).
Columbia's On-Site Composting Station Credit
Light RestrictionsColumbia, SC Unified Development Ordinance § 17-5.11(d), Table 17-5.11(D)(4)
Unless exempted in accordance with (2) below, all new development shall comply with the green building standards of this section. ... Provide a minimum of one on-site composting station for every 25 residential dwelling units.
Looking for Richland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Columbia city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Richland County →