Columbia False alarms—Administrative fee ordinance (§ 13-258)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article IX. Miscellaneous Business Regulations
In short: Owners and lessees of an alarm-protected property are jointly liable for a $100 fee for each false alarm from the fourth on within 30 days, and for each from the thirteenth on within 12 months. No single false alarm is charged under both.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
The owners and lessees of any property protected by an alarm system shall be jointly and severally liable for payment of the following false alarm administrative fees:
(1) For the fourth and subsequent false alarms by any $100.00 for each such false alarm
alarm system within a thirty (30) day period .....
(2) For the thirteenth and subsequent false alarms by $100.00 for each such false alarm
any alarm system within a twelve (12) month period .....
An administrative fee shall not be charged under both subsections (1) and (2) for any single false alarm.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-258
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.