Columbia Following fire apparatus prohibited ordinance (§ 14-166)
Chapter 14: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article IV. Operation
In short: Unless on official business, drivers may not follow fire apparatus responding to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet, or drive into or park in the block where the apparatus has stopped for an alarm.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred (500) feet or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 14-166
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.