Columbia License required ordinance (§ 13-291)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article XII. Temporary Business Licenses
In short: You must get a temporary business license before putting on a show, concert, theatrical event, amusement, carnival or circus open to the public 28 consecutive days or less in any three-month period. Nonprofit charitable, religious, fraternal, civic and educational groups are exempt; events with food must follow the city Food Code.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) No person shall produce or offer to the public a temporary entertainment event without first obtaining a temporary business license.
(b) An "entertainment event" includes but is not limited to any show, music concert, theatrical event, amusement, carnival or circus.
(c) A "temporary entertainment event" is any entertainment event which is open to the public for twentyeight (28) consecutive days or less within any three-month period.
(d) Nonprofit charitable, religious, fraternal, civic, and education institutions are exempt from the provisions of this division.
(e) If the temporary entertainment event involves the sale or preparation of food, the licensee must comply with all provisions of the City of Columbia Food Code.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-291
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.