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Planning & Zoning

The Planning & Zoning Division works to preserve and enhance the quality of Columbia’s built environment. The division performs three interrelated functions: long range planning, current planning (development review) and zoning administration.

Planning & Zoning provides primary staff support for the Columbia Municipal Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Historic Zoning Commission. The division is part of a larger interdisciplinary team which includes Engineering, Building and Codes, the Office of the Fire Marshal, Tourism & Marketing, as well as other local governments and service providers. Planning staff coordinates reviews across these disciplines to ensure new development and redevelopment is consistent with the community’s long-range visions, conforming to all regulations, compatible with the city’s established character, and supported by concurrent municipal services.

Long Range Planning

Long Range Planning

The Planning & Zoning division is tasked with engaging Columbia residents and other stake-holders in long-range planning initiatives. Connect Columbia, the comprehensive plan, establishes the community's visions for future physical development. Special area plans further detail goals, objectives, and policies which guide growth to serve Columbia residents. These plans outline projects and action steps carried out by planning staff, including updates to implementing ordinances like the zoning code.

For questions regarding long-range planning initiatives, contact Kevin McCarthy, AICP at kmccarthy@columbiatn.com.

Current Planning (Development Review)

Current Planning

Planning staff coordinates the review of all proposed development within the city, as well as requests to update the regulating maps within Columbia's urban growth boundary. Some requests are reviewed administratively, others require approval by the Columbia Municipal Planning Commission or City Council. The division compiles technical comments and provides professional analysis for the Planning Commission. This process ensures that changes to the official zoning map are consistent with Connect Columbia. Planning staff also make sure new development conforms to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations.

For questions about future land use map amendments, rezonings and preliminary planned unit development master plans, contact Kevin McCarthy, AICP at kmccarthy@columbiatn.com.

For questions about site development plans, preliminary plats, final plats and final planned unit development master plans, contact Austin Brass, AICP at abrass@columbiatn.com.

Zoning Administration

Zoning Administration

The division is responsible for day-to-day administration of the zoning ordinance. Staff manages general customer requests and helps property owners comply with city regulations. Administration of the ordinance includes a wide variety of services including zoning inspections, zoning compliance review for building permits, sign permits, flood zone determinations, mobile vending, home occupation permits, enforcement, and zoning verification. The Planning & Zoning division provides analysis and primary staff support to the Board of Zoning Appeals which has authority to grant variances and approve conditional uses according to criteria established in the ordinance. The division also provides analysis and primary staff support to the Historic Zoning Commission, which protects the character of Columbia's five locally-designated historic districts.

For questions related to zoning compliance review of building permits, signs, flood plain administration, zoning verification, or historic zoning review, contact Robert Archibald at rarchibald@columbiatn.com.

For questions related to home occupation permits and mobile vending permits, contact Melissa Sanders at msanders@columbiatn.com.

For questions related to official interpretations of ambiguities in the zoning ordinance, please reference the record of Zoning Administrator's interpretations or contact Kevin McCarthy, AICP at kmccarthy@columbiatn.com.

For questions related to the Board of Zoning Appeals, please contact Kevin McCarthy, AICP at kmccarthy@columbiatn.com.