Columbia Exemptions from article ordinance (§ 13-48)
Chapter 13: Licenses, Permits and Miscellaneous Business Regulations · Article III. Armed Guards and Security Guards
In short: The city's armed and security guard rules don't apply to guards only temporarily in town (no more than 14 days in any six-month period), to law enforcement officers from agencies on the chief's training-approved list, or to employees who do security work as part of regular duties for an employer that isn't a patrol guard or watchman service.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
Nothing in this article shall be construed as applying to an armed guard or security guard who is only temporarily in the city, provided that such person is not present as an armed guard or security guard within the city more than fourteen (14) days within any six-month period, nor shall this article apply to any bona fide law enforcement officer of an agency on the training-approved list as certified by the chief and on file in the chief's
office. Any person who performs security guard services as a part of said person's regular duties in the course of normal employment and whose employer is not a patrol guard or watchman service shall be exempt from the provisions of this article.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 13-48
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.