Columbia Nuisances on more than one property ordinance (§ 11-244)
Chapter 11: Health and Sanitation · Article VII. Nuisances
In short: When the city abates a nuisance that spans more than one parcel, each parcel's owner is charged in proportion to the work and expense on that parcel. Except in emergency abatements, a parcel can't be charged unless its owner was served with an abatement notice.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
If any nuisance abated by the director extended over more than one (1) parcel of land, the cost of abating the nuisance shall be assessed against each parcel of land on which the nuisance was abated in proportion to the amount of work and expense for each such parcel. Except in the case of an emergency abatement, however, no parcel of land shall be assessed unless an owner of the parcel was served with an abatement notice.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 11-244
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.