Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Columbia, SC (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Columbia, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Columbia requires every property owner with a sidewalk on their frontage to keep it clean and free of obstruction, and to report defective sidewalk conditions to the city manager or director of public services. Owners must also keep the right-of-way strip between their property line and the street gutter clear of unsightly vegetation under Section 8-331.
Columbia Puts Sidewalk Upkeep on Abutting Owners
Some RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 8-331
(a)It shall be the duty of all owners of property in the city upon which sidewalks have been laid to keep such walkways clean and free from obstruction. Owners of property shall report defective conditions in sidewalks to the city manager or director of public services.(b)All persons who own real estate in the city which abuts upon any street right-of-way shall be required to keep that portion ...
Obstruction Rules
Columbia makes it unlawful to obstruct any street, including the sidewalk area within the right-of-way, without city council's consent, and separately bans blocking a sidewalk or pavement with barrels, boxes or merchandise. The city manager can order removal within three days or remove it at the violator's expense.
Columbia Sidewalk and Street Obstruction Ban
Some RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances §§ 22-71, 22-73
It shall be unlawful to create or allow an obstruction of any street within the city without the consent of city council. ... For the purposes of this section, the term "obstruction" means any object other than a lawfully parked motor vehicle. For the purposes of this section, the term "street" shall include any area within the street right-of-way including the area between the curb-line and ad...
Encroachment Permits
Anyone excavating, encroaching on, or temporarily using a Columbia street, easement, or public right-of-way must obtain a permit first under Section 11-71(a), and must indemnify the city against claims arising from the work. Permittees also must carry specific liability insurance, or post a bond instead, before the city will issue the permit.
Columbia Requires a Permit for Right-of-Way Work
Significant RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 11-71(a)
Any person who proposes to perform any activity which requires excavation, encroachment, the possibility of encroachment, or temporary use or disruption of any street, easement, public right-of-way or other property owned by or under the control of the city shall be required to obtain a permit before conducting such activity. As a condition for the issuance of such permit, the permittee shall b...
Looking for Richland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Columbia city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Richland County →