Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Harbison is a 1700+ acre community developed as a planned “New Town’ community. Diverse housing types for all income levels, a commercial business district with employment opportunities, shopping, dining, and recreational opportunities. The developer donated property for schools and community emergency resources. The common areas maintained by the association include: a community center located centrally in the community; playgrounds; a vast pathway/trail network and other recreational opportunities. Harbison was conceived as an economically, socially, racially, and age integrated community.
The Harbison Community Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization. All property owners and residents are members of the association. To participate in activities, join the community center, and vote, please visit the community center to get your membership card.
The Association is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected by the members in April. Keep updated online for the annual calendar of Board meetings, elections, and opportunities to participate. By providing an email to staff at the front desk, you will get up to date changes, corrections and news about Harbison and the Community Center.
The Harbison Community Association’s duty is to operate for promotion of the common good of the community of Harbison. Our mission is to preserve the value of resident and business investment in the community, maintain and improve common property and amenities in ensuring a positive quality of life and prosperity for all. In accomplishing this, it is important that Harbison Community Association serve as a mechanism to assist the entire community to function harmoniously. Open and honest communication is the most vital element to achieve harmony. The Board of Directors holds Member Input meetings to provide regular member input to the board. (See the Board Meeting schedule for more information.)
Function of the Association
The Harbison Community Association was created under the Declaration to secure the rights of and carry out obligations on behalf of members. The Association is charged with enforcement of the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions governing all property within Harbison. The primary purpose is the protection of property values within Harbison. The Board sets and directs policy. The Executive Director provides day-to-day guidance of all operations, staff, and professional assistance to the Board in policy matters.
Association Funding
There are two primary sources for funding The Harbison Community Association.
Imposition of Assessments
By acceptance of a deed or other conveyance for any assessable lot, whether or not the covenants contained herein shall be expressed in any such deed or other conveyance, an owner hereby covenants and agrees:
that owner will pay to the Association the assessments which may or shall be levied by the Association against assessable property owned in each year, and that owner will pay to the Association the user fees and charges, if applicable, levied by the Association in each year; that owner shall be personally liable for all such assessments which become due while the owner of each lot being assessed;
that the annual assessment, together with the continuing obligation to pay each future annual assessment assessed in all future years, shall be secured by a continuing lien upon the assessable property of such owner; Assessments are billed to each property based on a formula designed to ensure equity in distributing the financial burden equally among all members. For more information, review your assessment statement mailed each January or call the Finance Office at 803.764.2401
The second is the fees charged for various programs offered.
The Harbison Community Association members pay annual assessments to the association to fund administrative and operating expenses of association business on behalf of its members:
Maintenance: over 200 acres of common property maintenance such as tree and shrub inspection, trimming and pruning, tree cutting - if necessary; repair of bank erosion; weed and algae control; plantings; maintenance and repair of miles of paved pathways and bridges; maintenance, and replacement of equipment for the play lots and picnic areas throughout Harbison;
Operations of the Association as a non-profit corporation, insurance, activities to protect property values including legal matters such as collections, liens, and covenant enforcement;
Community Center: that houses a gymnasium, room rentals, hosts activities such as Bingo, luncheons, lunch and learn, senior programs, summer camp for children, a weight room/exercise/cardio center, tennis courts, pickleball courts, large indoor pool, and a whirlpool; maintenance of all equipment involved;
Enforcement of Covenants: to maintain property values throughout Harbison to the standard outlined in the Covenants; Staff enforcement of covenants through written warnings, demand letters, and fines to homeowners based on covenant being enforced;
Architectural Review: Consistent and professional review of all new residential and commercial construction/development.
Overview of HOMEOWNER Responsibility:
Property Maintenance – You are required to properly maintain the appearance of your property and buildings, including keeping the curb side of the road debris-free.
Construction – Any changes, additions, or new buildings and any fences require prior approval from the Residential Design and Review Committee.
Trees – Trees may not be removed without prior authorization. Form Available Here
Temporary signs – Temporary signs are prohibited in Harbison. Exceptions with restrictions may be found in the Harbison Covenant Enforcement & Schedule of Fines.
Maintenance: over 200 acres of common property maintenance such as tree and shrub inspection, trimming and pruning, tree cutting - if necessary; repair of bank erosion; weed and algae control; plantings; maintenance and repair of miles of paved pathways and bridges; maintenance, and replacement of equipment for the play lots and picnic areas throughout Harbison;
Operations of the Association as a non-profit corporation, insurance, activities to protect property values including legal matters such as collections, liens, and covenant enforcement;
Community Center: that houses a gymnasium, room rentals, hosts activities such as Bingo, luncheons, lunch and learn, senior programs, summer camp for children, a weight room/exercise/cardio center, tennis courts, pickleball courts, large indoor pool, and a whirlpool; maintenance of all equipment involved;
Enforcement of Covenants: to maintain property values throughout Harbison to the standard outlined in the Covenants; Staff enforcement of covenants through written warnings, demand letters, and fines to homeowners based on covenant being enforced;
Architectural Review: Consistent and professional review of all new residential and commercial construction/development.
Overview of HOMEOWNER Responsibility:
Property Maintenance – You are required to properly maintain the appearance of your property and buildings, including keeping the curb side of the road debris-free.
Construction – Any changes, additions, or new buildings and any fences require prior approval from the Residential Design and Review Committee.
Trees – Trees may not be removed without prior authorization. Form Available Here
Temporary signs – Temporary signs are prohibited in Harbison. Exceptions with restrictions may be found in the Harbison Covenant Enforcement & Schedule of Fines.
The Harbison Community Association was incorporated as a non-profit organization. All property owners and residents are members of the association. To participate in activities, join the community center, and vote, please visit the community center to get your membership card.
The Association is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors elected by the members in April. Keep updated online for the annual calendar of Board meetings, elections, and opportunities to participate. By providing an email to staff at the front desk, you will get up to date changes, corrections and news about Harbison and the Community Center.
The Harbison Community Association’s duty is to operate for promotion of the common good of the community of Harbison. Our mission is to preserve the value of resident and business investment in the community, maintain and improve common property and amenities in ensuring a positive quality of life and prosperity for all. In accomplishing this, it is important that Harbison Community Association serve as a mechanism to assist the entire community to function harmoniously. Open and honest communication is the most vital element to achieve harmony. The Board of Directors holds Member Input meetings to provide regular member input to the board. (See the Board Meeting schedule for more information.)
ONLY Service Animals are allowed in the Community Center.
Domestic Animals Issues:
Harbison Community Association provides ‘animal waste’ bags and trash containers on the pathways throughout Harbison to assist people in cleaning up after their animals. Unleashed, problem animals and concerns should be referred to Animal Control/law enforcement in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred.
Strays
If you would like to report a stray animal in Richland County or the City of Columbia, call the City at (803) 776-PETS (7387) or the County at (803) 929-6000.
Report Abuse
Be a voice for the voiceless. If you know of any animal in need, even if it is minor, call the City at (803) 776-PETS (7387) or the County at (803) 929-6000. Often a situation can be corrected simply by educating the owner. Other times, it is dire and it is in the best interest to remove the animal from their home.
Lexington County Animal Control Phone: (803) 785-8149
Harbison Community Association provides ‘animal waste’ bags and trash containers on the pathways throughout Harbison to assist people in cleaning up after their animals. Unleashed, problem animals and concerns should be referred to Animal Control/law enforcement in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred.
Strays
If you would like to report a stray animal in Richland County or the City of Columbia, call the City at (803) 776-PETS (7387) or the County at (803) 929-6000.
Report Abuse
Be a voice for the voiceless. If you know of any animal in need, even if it is minor, call the City at (803) 776-PETS (7387) or the County at (803) 929-6000. Often a situation can be corrected simply by educating the owner. Other times, it is dire and it is in the best interest to remove the animal from their home.
Lexington County Animal Control Phone: (803) 785-8149
Feral/wild animals:
In keeping with our covenants, we try to preserve wildlife. Wild animals are considered property of the state by the Department of Natural Resources. If you have a problem, we suggest contacting the SC Department of Natural Resources at 803-734-3886.
What Laws around the Midlands allow for fireworks?
City of Columbia
Typically, it’s illegal to shoot off fireworks or similar explosives between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
On July 5 and Jan. 1, those hours are extended to 12:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. It’s also illegal to sell fireworks to children under the age of 14 unless the child is accompanied by a parent. Click here to learn more about what is prohibited and the penalties for violators.
Irmo
The only fireworks allowed in the Town of Irmo are “safe and sane” fireworks, which aren’t projectiles or explosives. Examples of those include sparklers, snaps, smokeballs, fountains, and snakes. There are two exceptions to that policy: allowing fireworks on the Fourth of July from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. and between Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 1 at 1 a.m. Click here learn more about the Town of Irmo’s firework ordinance.
Lexington County
Shooting off fireworks is prohibited, with the exception of several holidays.
Fireworks are allowed between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 3–5, December 24–25, and Memorial Day. Fireworks are also allowed between 10 a.m. Dec. 31 and 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 Click here to learn more about what is prohibited and the penalties for violators.
Richland County
Typically, it’s illegal to shoot off fireworks or similar explosives between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
There is an exception that fireworks can be used until 1 a.m. on July 4 and Jan. 1.
The ordinance doesn’t prohibit the use of daylight hours. Click here to learn more about what is prohibited and the penalties for violators.
City of Columbia
Typically, it’s illegal to shoot off fireworks or similar explosives between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
On July 5 and Jan. 1, those hours are extended to 12:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. It’s also illegal to sell fireworks to children under the age of 14 unless the child is accompanied by a parent. Click here to learn more about what is prohibited and the penalties for violators.
Irmo
The only fireworks allowed in the Town of Irmo are “safe and sane” fireworks, which aren’t projectiles or explosives. Examples of those include sparklers, snaps, smokeballs, fountains, and snakes. There are two exceptions to that policy: allowing fireworks on the Fourth of July from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. and between Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 1 at 1 a.m. Click here learn more about the Town of Irmo’s firework ordinance.
Lexington County
Shooting off fireworks is prohibited, with the exception of several holidays.
Fireworks are allowed between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 3–5, December 24–25, and Memorial Day. Fireworks are also allowed between 10 a.m. Dec. 31 and 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 Click here to learn more about what is prohibited and the penalties for violators.
Richland County
Typically, it’s illegal to shoot off fireworks or similar explosives between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
There is an exception that fireworks can be used until 1 a.m. on July 4 and Jan. 1.
The ordinance doesn’t prohibit the use of daylight hours. Click here to learn more about what is prohibited and the penalties for violators.
