All vacant buildings within the City of Columbia must be registered with the Code Enforcement Division within 120 days of becoming vacant.
The Vacant Building Registration Ordinance became effective on October 15, 2019. Buildings that were already vacant on that date were required to be registered within 120 days of the ordinance’s effective date if they remained vacant.
Owners of vacant buildings are required to register their property and complete an annual inspection. As part of the registration process, owners must designate a local agent located within 45 miles of the property and submit a vacant building plan.
Vacant buildings must also be properly maintained and secured to help protect public safety, preserve neighborhood character, and prevent property deterioration.
Vacant Building application
Welcome to the new City of Columbia Vacant building application process in partnership with Tolemi. Our updated process is designed to create a smoother, more efficient experience for applicants while ensuring compliance
Use this portal to register, renew, and manage vacant building records.
Questions or Assistance
For ordinance or program-related questions, contact Vacant building registry at [email protected]
For technical support with this portal, contact [email protected]
There are several exemptions from the registration and the fees as outlined in the Vacant Building Registration Ordinance Highlights.
Ordinance 2019-009 – Vacant Building Ordinance
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on the criteria, vacant buildings could undergo a demolition process.
In an effort to keep City of Columbia residents informed of current demolition projects, we are sharing the following information.
As of December 15, 2022, there are 35 proposed properties on the tentative demolition list; a list that is subject to change based on additional inspections, private purchases, or legal requirements.
The existing demolition process has been underway for quite some time in an effort to be thorough and meet all requirements. The final list of the proposed demolitions will be sent for City Council review in January.
More specifically, the City’s Code Enforcement Division has been diligently working to prepare properties for demolition with the assistance of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Of the initial 52 properties proposed in the Spring, the City is closer to moving forward to demolish 35 properties as early as January 2023.
Justification for ARPA Funds
Removal of the structures make the properties more attractive for future development, namely possible affordable housing developments. The residential demolitions are already zoned for single-family housing. In previous years and according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), single-family homes did not require asbestos surveys unless they fall under certain exemptions. The City does not agree that these single-family demolitions fall under any of the exemptions requiring asbestos surveys however, the City is adhering to DHEC’s requirements.
These 35 properties have all had asbestos surveys completed and are currently out to bid for demolition. There will be several other surveys to follow within the next several months as we complete the demolition process and have more properties ready for demolition.
As in a previous City Manager’s briefing note to the public: A demolition list is a working list and can change almost daily as additional properties are included or removed from the list; some that have title or code issues that have been abated by owners. The City does not own the properties.
After a thorough process, the properties were identified as being ready for demolition based on vacancy, abandonment, dilapidation or deemed a hazard.
As such and in keeping with a necessary process with City government, the procurement department, and contractors, demolitions follow a timeline that is also subject to change. Once a demolition site is identified and moves through a strict process including legal review and contractor bidding, it could take up to 90 days from solicitation to demolish a property. A delay is possible if additional inspections are required.
David Hatcher with the Columbia Police Department’s Code Enforcement Division says, “The Code Enforcement Unit takes this job very seriously. We appreciate residents’ concerns about blight in their neighborhoods. We share those same concerns. Our job affects people’s quality of life and the reward is knowing that we’re making a difference while also following the rules.”
For any questions about the ordinance or to be added to the mailing list to receive notifications, please call 803-545-4362 or email [email protected].
