Columbia, SC Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Rain capture credit
- 0.50 points
- Minimum storage
- 500 gallons per 2 units
- Residential min points
- 3 (3-29 units), 4 (30+)
- Nonresidential min points
- 3 (5,000-25,000 sf), 4 (>25,000 sf)
- Exempt projects
- Under 3 units or under 5,000 sf
- Review point
- Reviewed at development application stage
Summary
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).
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 filters, and underground storage basins for residential development with a minimum storage capacity of 500 gallons for every two residential units.
Full Breakdown
The rainwater capture credit sits inside Columbia's mandatory Green Building Point System at Sec. 11, which applies to all new development unless it is a residential project of fewer than three dwelling units, a nonresidential project under 5,000 square feet, a remodel of an existing building, or a project that has already earned LEED Gold or higher. Covered residential projects must earn 3 points for developments of 3 to 29 units or 4 points for 30 units or more; covered nonresidential and mixed-use projects need 3 points between 5,000 and 25,000 square feet, or 4 points above that.
00 point), green or vegetated roofs, cool roofs, and solar installations. A developer can mix and match any combination of menu items to reach the required point total; there is no rule that cisterns specifically must be used. Compliance is reviewed during the development application process for a planned unit development, special exception, development agreement, certificate of design approval in a Design District, or major or minor site plan, per Sec. 11(c). Applicants must document how each claimed credit will be met at the time of submittal, using invoices, receipts, or delivery confirmations for items that cannot be visually verified on inspection.
Violations & Fines
Failing to install or maintain an approved green building feature used to satisfy Sec. 17-5.11, including a rain water capture credit, is itself a violation of the Ordinance under Sec. 17-5.11(e). The city can revoke the underlying development approval or permit and strip any green building incentive granted under Sec. 17-5.12 that depended on the feature, on top of the general enforcement remedies in Article 8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Columbia require rain barrels or cisterns on new development?
Which projects have to comply with Columbia's green building point system?
What happens if a developer removes a rain capture system used to meet the point requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia
Compare Columbia to another location·View the South Carolina landscaping rules overview
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