Updating definition of 'family' in residential zoning
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The City of Columbia is considering a revision to the definition of “family” in efforts to maximize dwelling unit usage by non-traditional and multi-generational families and/or cohabitation arrangements. The proposed revisions would facilitate the “creative zoning solution” recommended in the 2024 Boone County and City of Columbia Housing Study and remove a potential barrier in meeting the housing needs of both City of Columbia and Boone County residents.
Following a series of work sessions (see the minutes listed under Documents), the proposed definition would:
Eliminate the occupancy distinction between the R-1, R-2, and R-MF zoning districts.
Establish the following two types of “family” structures:
One or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption or custodial relationship living together within a dwelling unit [no numerical limits] as a single housekeeping unit. or
Up to four (4) unrelated persons, plus their biological, adopted or foster children or other minors for whom they have legally established custodial responsibility, living together within a dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit.
Limit capacity (i.e. number of persons) living within a dwelling unit as provided for by the most current City of Columbia adopted edition of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) based on bedroom and living room floor area calculations.
Create, for the first time, a definition for “single housekeeping unit”.
Interested citizens are encouraged to provide public comment on this matter until Feb. 20, 2026. Submitted comments will be forwarded to the Planning Commission and City Council for consideration at a future public hearing. Questions on this matter should be directed to Planning@como.gov.
Background Information
The original definition of the “family” was adopted as part of the city’s first zoning ordinance, which was appended to the 1935 City Plan. Since that time the definition has undergone several significant changes with each subsequent amendment adding some type of numerical element relating what defines a “family” (see historical background and “peer city” alternatives listed under Documents).
The definition is also used to determine when a dwelling unit has excessive occupancy, which is not necessarily the same as overcrowding. “Overoccupancy” is one or more persons in excess of “family,” whereas “overcrowding” occurs when the combination of bedrooms, fixtures and habitable floor space is insufficient for the number of persons occupying a dwelling unit.
The most current comprehensive definition of “family” was approved in 1991 and defines family based on a maximum number of unrelated adults living within a dwelling unit and differentiates maximum occupancy within such dwellings by zoning classification. Presently, a maximum of three unrelated adults are allowed to live as a “family,” in the R-1 (one-family dwelling) zoning district whereas a maximum of four unrelated adults are allowed to live as a “family” in the R-2 (two-family dwelling) or R-MF (multi-family dwelling) zoning districts.
The Planning and Zoning Commission was directed to examine the definition of “family” by City Council in light of the 2024 Housing Study’s findings and recommendations. Staff provided the Commission with the historical background relating to the definition as well as more contemporary “peer” city definitions for their consideration.
The City of Columbia is considering a revision to the definition of “family” in efforts to maximize dwelling unit usage by non-traditional and multi-generational families and/or cohabitation arrangements. The proposed revisions would facilitate the “creative zoning solution” recommended in the 2024 Boone County and City of Columbia Housing Study and remove a potential barrier in meeting the housing needs of both City of Columbia and Boone County residents.
Following a series of work sessions (see the minutes listed under Documents), the proposed definition would:
Eliminate the occupancy distinction between the R-1, R-2, and R-MF zoning districts.
Establish the following two types of “family” structures:
One or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption or custodial relationship living together within a dwelling unit [no numerical limits] as a single housekeeping unit. or
Up to four (4) unrelated persons, plus their biological, adopted or foster children or other minors for whom they have legally established custodial responsibility, living together within a dwelling unit as a single housekeeping unit.
Limit capacity (i.e. number of persons) living within a dwelling unit as provided for by the most current City of Columbia adopted edition of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) based on bedroom and living room floor area calculations.
Create, for the first time, a definition for “single housekeeping unit”.
Interested citizens are encouraged to provide public comment on this matter until Feb. 20, 2026. Submitted comments will be forwarded to the Planning Commission and City Council for consideration at a future public hearing. Questions on this matter should be directed to Planning@como.gov.
Background Information
The original definition of the “family” was adopted as part of the city’s first zoning ordinance, which was appended to the 1935 City Plan. Since that time the definition has undergone several significant changes with each subsequent amendment adding some type of numerical element relating what defines a “family” (see historical background and “peer city” alternatives listed under Documents).
The definition is also used to determine when a dwelling unit has excessive occupancy, which is not necessarily the same as overcrowding. “Overoccupancy” is one or more persons in excess of “family,” whereas “overcrowding” occurs when the combination of bedrooms, fixtures and habitable floor space is insufficient for the number of persons occupying a dwelling unit.
The most current comprehensive definition of “family” was approved in 1991 and defines family based on a maximum number of unrelated adults living within a dwelling unit and differentiates maximum occupancy within such dwellings by zoning classification. Presently, a maximum of three unrelated adults are allowed to live as a “family,” in the R-1 (one-family dwelling) zoning district whereas a maximum of four unrelated adults are allowed to live as a “family” in the R-2 (two-family dwelling) or R-MF (multi-family dwelling) zoning districts.
The Planning and Zoning Commission was directed to examine the definition of “family” by City Council in light of the 2024 Housing Study’s findings and recommendations. Staff provided the Commission with the historical background relating to the definition as well as more contemporary “peer” city definitions for their consideration.
