Columbia On-site storage and proper disposal of food waste required ordinance (§ 13-193)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article VII. Waste Haulers
In short: Food waste awaiting pickup by a licensed hauler must be stored on the property where it's generated, not on a street, sidewalk, alley or right-of-way without city consent. Containers left there may be removed at the owner's cost, and violations are a Class A misdemeanor.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) All food waste stored for collection by a licensed waste hauler shall be stored on the property where the food waste is generated. It shall be unlawful for any person to store food waste on any public street, sidewalk, alley or right-of-way without the consent of the city. In addition to any other penalties prescribed, any such collection device or container found to be on public property or in the public rightof-way may be removed at the enforcement officer's discretion, and all costs for removal and storage of such collection device or container shall be levied against the responsible party.
(b) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor as designated by this code and punishable under section 16-31 of this Code.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-193
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.