Columbia Reserving parking spaces in metered mobile food vendor zones ordinance (§ 14-316)
Chapter 14: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article V. Stopping, Standing and Parking
In short: Food vendors using a metered mobile vending zone must lease a meter bag from public works ($10 daily single, $20 daily double, $150 monthly single, $200 monthly double), place it at least 4 hours before use, remove it on leaving, and not occupy spaces from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.; other vehicles can't park in a bagged space.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) To use a metered mobile food vending zone, a mobile food vendor shall be required to lease a meter bag(s) from the public works department using the fee schedule below. Public works may request documentation to verify a mobile food vendor's legal status to engage in business within the city limits of Columbia.
Daily single meter bag: .....$10.00
Daily double meter bag: .....$20.00
Monthly single meter bag: .....$150.00
Monthly double meter bag: .....$200.00
(b) A mobile food vendor will be required to place a meter bag over a designated parking meter at least four
(4) hours before the mobile food vendor intends to use the parking space.
(c) Parking spaces in mobile vending zones may not be occupied by a mobile food vendor between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(d) The meter bag must be removed when a mobile food vendor leaves the parking space.
(e) Parking spaces in a mobile food vending zone are available on a first come, first served basis.
(f) When a meter bag is placed over a parking meter in a mobile food vendor zone, no vehicle shall park in the reserved space except for the mobile food vendor in possession of the meter bag.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 14-316
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.