City Departments

City Manager

The City Manager's Office provides needed administrative services to all City departments for the coordination of City operations and is the focal point for the day-to-day management of the City government. This involves administrative decision-making, provision of basic administrative support, direction, and guidance for all City departments, programs, and projects.

City Recorder

The City Recorder’s office is committed to serving the residents of Columbia in a professional and courteous manner. Here is where you can pay personal and business property tax as well as apply for a variety of permits including alarm, beer, fireworks, yard sale, and temporary vending permits.

1. Business License

   Access this page to learn more about the required business licenses for opening a business in Columbia, TN.

2. Business Tax Information

   Get an overview and learn more about filing business taxes online through TNTAP with the State of Tennessee. TNTAP Stands for Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point.

3. City Court & Citations

   City Court handles traffic citations, parking tickets, and City Ordinance violations. Judge Jake Hubbell currently resides over Columbia's Municipal Court.

4. Garbage Fee Exemption

   Learn about the exemptions from garbage fees.

5. Permits

   Find out how to obtain permits from the City Recorder's Office.

6. Property Tax

   Real and Personal Property taxes are due and payable without penalty from November 1 through December 15.

7. Public Records

   Find our more about how to access City of Columbia public records. City of Columbia shall timely and efficiently provide access and assistance to persons requesting to view or receive copies of public records. No provisions of this Policy shall be used to hinder access to public records. However, the integrity and organization of public records, as well as the efficient and safe operation of the City of Columbia, shall be protected as provided by current law.

Development Services

The Department of Development Services ensures that current and future development meets the City’s standard for health, safety, and general welfare.

1. Online Permitting

2. GIS Mapping

3. Connect Columbia Update

   Participate in the 5-year update to the City's Comprehensive Plan. Connect Columbia serves as a blueprint for future growth in the city and its Urban Growth Boundary. It includes maps and policies that describe how land may be used and provides for concurrency of public infrastructure.

4. Zoning and Planning

   The Department of Development Services strives to make the process for Land Development as fluid and efficient as possible for developers and investors alike.

5. Engineering

6. Building Codes

   The purpose of the permitting process is to ensure minimum standards to protect the public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, installation, quality of materials, location, operation and maintenance or use of plumbing equipment and systems are upheld.

7. Codes Enforcement

   Property Maintenance is essential to providing a consistent, clean, safe, and inviting environment for our citizens.

8. Fire Marshal and Fire Codes

9. Planning Commission

10. Architectural Design Review Team

11. Historic Zoning Commission

12. Board of Zoning Appeals

13. Stormwater Program

    The goal of Columbia’s Stormwater Program is to protect water quality by preventing pollution, to provide education on the importance of water quality to the environment and the public health, and to promote public involvement in the stewardship of the local waterways.

Economic & Community Development

1. Retail Recruitment

   It is important for Columbia, Tennessee to have a strong retail sector because it can help to boost the local economy, create jobs, improve the quality of life for residents, and attract new residents. A vibrant retail scene can also make a city more attractive to tourists and businesses. Retail recruitment is an important part of Columbia's economic development strategy. By attracting and retaining qualified retail employers, Columbia can help to create a vibrant and prosperous economy.

2. Hotel Market Feasibility Study

   The City of Columbia retained the services of Core Distinction Group, a third-party hotel development consultant, to perform a hotel market feasibility study for the downtown area. The report shows the property segment recommended for the potential development of a hotel is an Upper Midscale to Upscale hotel and the property size recommendation of a newly developed hotel was researched to be between 90-100 guestrooms in this report.

Finance

The Finance Department exercises general supervision over the fiscal affairs of the City and general accounting supervision over City property and assets.

1. Annual Financial Reports

   Read through archived comprehensive annual financial reports, popular annual financial report, and information about awards and achievements.

2. Bond Rating (AA+ Credit Rating)

   The City of Columbia maintains a solid credit rating, which in recent years has continued to improve.

3. Budgets

   The Department of Finance and Administration is responsible for accounting for all municipal funds, centralized purchasing, budgeting and financial reporting.

4. City Financial Policies

   View printable versions of the city's financial policies.

5. Purchasing

   Through sound purchasing policies and procedures based upon laws and high ethical standards that promote public confidence and trust in government, procure goods and services at the right time, at the right place and at the right price for all City Departments.

Fire & Rescue

Columbia Fire and Rescue (CFR) is the premiere fire department in the State of Tennessee.

1. Burn Permit Information

   An ordinance amending Title 7 Chapter 6 of the Columbia Municipal Code by deleting section 7-602(1), section 7-603 and section 7-604(6), and replacing said sections with a new section 7-602 (1), section 7-603 and section 7-604(6) pertaining to open burning within the corporate limits of the City of Columbia, Tennessee.

2. Chaplain

   The CFD Chaplain program is intended to support the spiritual and mental well-being of all its members.

3. Divisions

   The Columbia Fire and Rescue Department has five divisions: Fire Administration, Fire Suppression, Fire Marshal, Training, and Emergency Management.

4. Join CFR

   Learn more about what it takes to be a firefighter for the City of Columbia and find out how you can participate in our Cadet, Explorer, and Ride-Along Programs.

5. Fire Reports

   How to Obtain a Fire Report

6. History

   With its humble beginnings as a volunteer service, Columbia Fire and Rescue has spent the last 150 years creating a legacy of service that continues today.

7. Honor Guard

   The Columbia Fire Department Honor Guard is comprised of 12 members whose purpose is to honor those in emergency services with drill and ceremony procedures that represent the discipline required to serve in the fire department.

8. Public Education

   The Columbia Fire Department has identified public education as being very close to our hearts.

9. Services

   The Administration of the Columbia Fire Department is constantly looking for ways to improve existing services to the citizens and visitors of Columbia.

10. Station Locator

    Find out where each of our fire stations are located.

11. Car Seat Program

Management Information Systems

The Management Information Systems Department is responsible for providing phone and data services for all City Departments.

Parks and Recreation

Discover information about the Parks and Recreation Department events, classes, facilities, and more.

1. City Home

   Return to the City of Columbia homepage.

2. Parks and Greenways

   The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to providing the citizens of Columbia with welcoming and scenic parks, exciting and engaging recreational programming, and unique special events.

3. Recreation Centers

   Check out area parks, facilities, and a list of their amenities.

4. Parks Staff Directory

Human Resources

Find information on how to apply for employment with the City, employee classifications, compensation, training opportunities for City employees, forms you may need for various human resources transactions, and more.

1. Employment

   Learn about the process of becoming an employee for the City of Columbia as well as additional resources.

2. Employee Benefits

   Being employed by the City offers competitive compensation, generous benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health/medical, vision, dental, retirement, and a variety of other work/life programs.

3. Americans with Disabilities Act

   The American with Disabilities Act requires that the City of Columbia communicate effectively and provide services to people who have disabilities.

Police

The Police Department and its officers work hard to serve and protect the community. Here you can find helpful information about their initiatives, divisions, and more.

1. About Us

   Columbia Police Department is a full-service department that utilizes Community Orientating Policing.

2. Citizen Complaint

   Make a complaint about the actions of a Columbia police officer.

3. Community Services & Resources

   Learn about important services and resources for local residents.

4. Crime Information

   Find crime information such as crime mapping, missing persons, and statistics.

5. Crime Tips

   Submit a crime tip to help us break a case.

6. Divisions & Specialty Units

   The Police Department consists of a Patrol Division, Investigation Division, and Support Services Division.

7. Join CPD

   Browse job openings and contact the Recruiting Office.

8. Police Reports

   Obtain a crash or incident Police Report. The Columbia Police Department’s Records Division shall be the central repository for original copies of all offense and incident reports, arrest reports, field reports, and other official records.

9. Thank an Officer

   The Columbia Police Department is committed to maintaining a department that is professional and provides service to our community with integrity and honor. The Police Department encourages feedback from the public.

Public Works

The Public Works Department is dedicated to planning, developing and maintaining the City’s infrastructure, solid waste program, facilities, and other services in a manner which provides safe travel for the general public and enhances the quality of life.

1. Recycle Columbia

   Find recycling information pertaining to Columbia residents.

2. Sanitation / Bulky / Brush

   The sanitation division of Public Works provides recycling, bulky item, and brush collection.

3. Snow & Ice Removal

   Find Columbia's Public Work department's plans for snow and ice removal during winter conditions.

4. Streets & Maintenance

   Public Works performs a variety of maintenance services involving pavement maintenance, snow and ice removal, sidewalk and curb replacement, street sweeping, litter control, repair storm drains, and clean storm drainage channels, culverts, grates, and catch basins.

5. Traffic Division

   Read duties and responsibilities of the Public Works department's traffic division.

Tourism & Marketing

Visit Columbia TN is the official destination marketing entity of the City of Columbia, Tennessee. The mission of Visit Columbia TN is to market and develop Columbia as a premier leisure and sports destination while maximizing tourism expenditures and positive visitor experiences that increase revenues and stimulate economic growth for the city.

Wastewater

Columbia's Wastewater department works to transport and remove pollutants from wastewater generated in the area.

1. FOG Program

   Fats, oils, and grease can cause huge problems in sewer pipes. Find out what Columbia's Wastewater Department is doing to combat these substances!

2. Wastewater Map Viewer

   Wastewater Map Viewer is to be used as an approximation only. For reference only. Sewer availability does not guarantee service connectivity. Contact Wastewater Department with questions.

3. Wastewater Fees

   Wastewater system tap locate, service connection, and impact fees