Columbia Parking for certain purposes prohibited ordinance (§ 14-283)
Chapter 14: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article V. Stopping, Standing and Parking
In short: You can't park on a street mainly to sell the vehicle, advertise, wash, grease or repair it (emergency repairs excepted), store it, store a detached trailer or van, or sell goods from it. Permitted mobile food vendors are exempt from the selling ban.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
No person shall park a vehicle upon any roadway for the principal purpose of:
(1) Displaying such vehicle for sale.
(2) Advertising.
(3) Washing, greasing or repairing such vehicle, except repairs necessitated by an emergency.
(4) Storage thereof by garages, dealers or other persons when such storage is not incident to the bona fide use of such vehicle.
(5) Storage of any detached trailer or van when the towing unit has been disconnected or for the purpose of transferring merchandise or freight from one (1) vehicle to another.
(6) Selling goods, merchandise or products of any kind from such vehicle; except mobile food vendors as lawfully permitted in this Code.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 14-283
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.