Columbia License required ordinance (§ 13-311)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article XII. Temporary Business Licenses
In short: You need a temporary business license before setting up a temporary business stand (booth, tent, street stand or similar spot selling goods, food or services near public streets), and you may sell only what your application lists. Nonprofit charitable, religious, fraternal, civic and educational institutions are exempt.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) No person shall erect, maintain, operate or occupy any temporary business stand in the city without first obtaining a temporary business license. No sales activities or services offered, other than those outlined in the application for a temporary business stand license, shall be conducted within the confines of the temporary business stand.
(b)
A "temporary business stand" is any stationary booth, tent, storeroom, street stand, or other temporary place, for the sale of food, confections, toys, jewelry, groceries, dry goods, drinks of all kind, goods, wares, merchandise or services, operated from doorways, building recesses, alleyways, vacant lots, private parking lots, private streets or walkways or any other place near the public streets of the city and which may last for fourteen (14) days and all days must be consecutive in any three-month period at only one (1) location.
(c) Non-profit charitable, religious, fraternal, civic, and educational institutions are exempt from the provisions of this division.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-311
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.