Columbia Parking meter hoods—Generally ordinance (§ 14-423)
Chapter 14: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article V. Stopping, Standing and Parking
In short: When a parking meter has a hood over it, that space is closed, and it is unlawful to park a vehicle there. The city traffic engineer can hood any meter when parking is to be prohibited because of an emergency or other reason.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
The city traffic engineer is authorized to place parking meter hoods on any parking meter when such parking meter is not to be used and parking is to be prohibited on the street because of emergency or other reason, as provided in this chapter. When such parking meter hoods are in place, it shall be unlawful for any vehicle to be parked in the parking meter space.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 14-423
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.