All Laws Decoded

Columbia Landlord-Tenant Rules

Columbia adds local rules on top of South Carolina landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.

Rental registration (Residential Rental Permit)Every residential rental unit within Columbia city limits must have a Residential Rental Permit and a local contact within 45 miles of the City. The applicant must certify that the unit meets minimum safety standards and may request a courtesy inspection. The permit costs $25 per unit per year, waived if a Professional Management Company with a City business license in good standing manages the property. No business license is required for 4 or fewer units.
From a City fact sheet revised November 2022 for rental properties of up to six units; current fees were not re-verified.
Source: City of Columbia Residential Rental Ordinance
Habitability & code-enforcement complaint lineCode Enforcement in Columbia is part of the Police Department. Call (803) 545-3430 for housing enforcement, rental housing, absentee landlords, and commercial or apartment buildings. Building Inspections: (803) 545-3422.
Source: Official source
Fair housingThe City's Community Development Department lists only the federal Fair Housing Act protected classes (race, color, national origin, religion, sex including gender identity and sexual orientation, familial status and disability) and refers housing discrimination complaints to HUD. No local protected classes are listed. Community Development: 803-545-3373.
Source: Official source
Free legal aid for rentersSouth Carolina Legal Services gives free legal help in civil (non-criminal) matters, including housing, to eligible low-income South Carolinians. Its Columbia office is at 2109 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201; (803) 799-9668 (toll-free (888) 799-9668); hours Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m..
Eligibility follows SCLS income guidelines: https://sclegal.org/
Source: Official source

Eviction cases in Columbia are heard in: Richland County Magistrate Court (landlord/tenant hearings); Central Court, 2500 Decker Blvd., Columbia, SC 29206, 803-576-2300 ext. 5

Right to a lawyer in eviction cases

No guaranteed right to counsel was found. Official source

Local agencies

Frequently asked questions

What landlord-tenant rules does Columbia add on top of South Carolina law?
Rental registration (Residential Rental Permit): Every residential rental unit within Columbia city limits must have a Residential Rental Permit and a local contact within 45 miles of the City. The applicant must certify that the unit meets minimum safety standards and may request a courtesy inspection. The permit costs $25 per unit per year, waived if a Professional Management Company with a City business license in good standing manages the property. No business license is required for 4 or fewer units.; Habitability & code-enforcement complaint line: Code Enforcement in Columbia is part of the Police Department. Call (803) 545-3430 for housing enforcement, rental housing, absentee landlords, and commercial or apartment buildings. Building Inspections: (803) 545-3422.; Fair housing: The City's Community Development Department lists only the federal Fair Housing Act protected classes (race, color, national origin, religion, sex including gender identity and sexual orientation, familial status and disability) and refers housing discrimination complaints to HUD. No local protected classes are listed. Community Development: 803-545-3373.; Free legal aid for renters: South Carolina Legal Services gives free legal help in civil (non-criminal) matters, including housing, to eligible low-income South Carolinians. Its Columbia office is at 2109 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201; (803) 799-9668 (toll-free (888) 799-9668); hours Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m..

← All South Carolina landlord-tenant rules

Last verified against official sources: October 29, 2026.

How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.