Water Use Rules in Columbia, SC (2026)
1 verified water use rules for Columbia, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Turf Replacement Rebates
Columbia does not force homeowners to rip out grass, but new development covered by the city's green building standards can earn landscaping points toward its required score two ways: removing all lawn or turf in favor of plant material and mulch ground cover (0.75 points) or simply limiting turf grass to 40 percent of the landscaped area (0.25 points), under Sec. 17-5.11(d).
Columbia Caps Turf Grass at 40 Percent
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. ... Remove all lawn or turf in favor of ground cover consisting of plant material and mulch. ... Limit turf grass to 40 percent of the landscaped area.
Looking for Richland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Columbia city rules.
Water Use Rules in Richland County →