Columbia Parking, stopping or standing prohibited in fire lanes ordinance (§ 14-290)
Chapter 14: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article V. Stopping, Standing and Parking
In short: You can't stop, stand or park in a fire lane marked with signs. If the driver is absent, the registered owner is held responsible when the vehicle was being used with permission, and police or fire officials may tow it and impound it until it is claimed or disposed of under section 14-548.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) When signs have been erected marking such fire lanes, it shall be unlawful for any person to stop, stand or park a vehicle within such fire lanes.
(b) If any vehicle is found in violation of any provision of this article and the driver thereof is not present, the owner or person in whose name such vehicle is registered in the records of any city, county or state shall be responsible for such violation when such vehicle was being used with permission. Proof of the ownership as aforesaid shall be prima facie evidence that such vehicle with absent driver was being operated with permission of the owner.
(c) Members of the fire department or police department are authorized to remove a vehicle from a signed fire lane to the nearest garage or other place of safety or to a garage designated or maintained by the police department. Such vehicles shall be impounded until lawfully claimed or disposed of in accordance with section 14-548.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 14-290
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.