Columbia Collection of abatement costs ordinance (§ 11-242)
Chapter 11: Health and Sanitation · Article VII. Nuisances
In short: If the city abates a nuisance on your property, you'll get a special taxbill for the actual cost plus administrative costs. It becomes a lien on the property, and unpaid bills bear 8 percent annual interest. The owner and anyone who caused the nuisance are also personally liable for the cost.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) The director shall certify the cost of abatement to the city clerk. The cost shall include administrative costs as well as the actual cost of abating the nuisance. The city clerk shall cause a special taxbill against the property to be prepared in the amount of the abatement costs. The taxbill from the date of its issuance shall be a lien on the property until paid and shall be prima facie evidence of the recitals therein and of its validity. No clerical error or informality in the taxbill or in the proceedings leading up to the issuance of the taxbill shall be a defense in an action to collect the taxbill. Taxbills issued under this section, if not paid when due, shall bear interest at the rate of eight (8) per cent per annum.
(b) The cost of abatement shall also constitute a personal obligation of the owner of the property and of any other person who caused the nuisance.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 11-242
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.