Richland County Council recently adopted the County’s new Land Development Code (LDC) to help shape how the community will grow in the future.
The LDC, adopted Nov. 16, is a set of regulations governing land use and development in unincorporated Richland County. The code covers standards for zoning districts and dwelling units allowed per acre, along with building location, permitted uses, signage, landscaping and other rules.
Council’s adoption of the ordinance for the new LDC means property owners can request map amendments to zoning districts under the current LDC until Tuesday, Nov. 30. Those submitting map amendments Dec. 1 or later must request a zoning district identified in the new LDC. The ordinance also includes a provision that imposes a moratorium on any map amendment request in District 11 until May 2022.
In 2017, the County began updating the LDC as part of a process to develop regulations that implement a vision for where and how the County grows in the 21st century. That process is nearly complete.
Residents are encouraged to visit www.richlandcountysc.gov and navigate to the Planning and Development Services webpage to find a cheat sheet covering the differences between the current and future land regulations. This document, formatted for ease of reading, covers new and amended zoning districts under the rewritten LDC.
What Happens Next?
The final version of the LDC will be posted to Planning and Development Services’ webpage following the approval of minutes read at County Council’s next meeting Dec. 7. County staff also is creating an abridged version of the code for property owners.
Once staff finalizes the recommended draft map, the map will be released digitally so it can be accessed online. This will allow property owners to compare zoning information for a particular area or parcel under the current code and the new LDC. The County also will release more information about proposed zoning changes at that time.
Planning and Development Services will host future community information meetings to allow property owners to meet with staff and ask questions about the zoning for their property.
Those with questions about map amendments and the new LDC should contact the Planning and Development Services Division at 803-576-2190 or planningcommission@richlandcountysc.gov.