Columbia Nuisance declared; exceptions ordinance (§ 11-263)
Chapter 11: Health and Sanitation · Article VII. Nuisances
In short: Unlicensed, dismantled, inoperable or junk-filled vehicles on private property are a nuisance. Exceptions: vehicle sales, service, towing, storage or junkyard businesses; vehicles in a garage or enclosed structure; vehicles in a locked fenced area and not clearly visible from neighboring property; and unlicensed (but not dismantled, inoperable or junk-filled) vehicles in a carport.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) The presence upon any private property within the city of an unlicensed, dismantled, inoperable or junkfilled vehicle is declared to be a public safety hazard and a nuisance.
(b) The declaration of nuisance in this section shall not apply to:
(1) Any property that is the site of a lawful motor vehicle sales or service business, a lawful towing or storage facility or a lawful junkyard;
(2) Any vehicle that is kept or stored in a garage or similar fully enclosed structure;
(3) Any vehicle that is enclosed within a locked fenced area and is not clearly visible from adjacent public or private property;
(4) Any unlicensed vehicle that is kept or stored in a carport provided that the unlicensed vehicle is not also a dismantled or inoperable or junk-filled vehicle.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 11-263
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.