Columbia Defense ordinance (§ 11-254)
Chapter 11: Health and Sanitation · Article VII. Nuisances
In short: Residents accused of a vegetation violation under this division have two defenses: they had no legal right to control the location, or the growth was part of a federal, state or city agricultural or conservation program.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) It is an affirmative defense that the defendant did not have the legal right to control the location where a violation of this division occurred.
(b) It is an affirmative defense that the growth of vegetation was part of a federal, state or city agricultural or conservation program.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 11-254
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.