Columbia False alarms—Prohibited ordinance (§ 13-259)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article IX. Miscellaneous Business Regulations
In short: Owners, lessees and people in charge of alarmed property may not allow more than three false alarms in 30 days or twelve in 365 days; each one past three in 30 days is a separate offense. Paying the section 13-258 administrative fee is a defense to a charge.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) It shall be unlawful for an owner, lessee or person in charge of any property protected by an alarm system to fail to prevent an alarm system from generating more than three (3) false alarms in any thirty
(30) day period or more than twelve (12) false alarms in any 365 day period. Each false alarm in excess of three (3) in any thirty (30) day period shall be deemed a separate offense. Automatic Teller Machines located on bank premises shall be considered along with the bank to be one (1) location.
(b) It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge brought under this section that the person charged has paid the administrative fee for the false alarm under section 13-258.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-259
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.