Columbia Illegal parking on private property ordinance (§ 14-551)
Chapter 14: Motor Vehicles and Traffic · Article IX. Abandoned Vehicles
In short: You can't park or leave a vehicle on private land without permission from the owner, occupant, lessee or licensee. At the possessor's request, police can authorize a tow if the vehicle is left unattended more than 48 hours, or if police judge it a safety hazard or an unreasonable interference with use of the property.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle upon any privately owned land without the permission of the owner, occupant, lessee or licensee of such land.
(b) At the request of the person in possession of the real property, any member of the police department may authorize a towing company to tow the vehicle parked or left standing in violation of this section from the property in the following circumstances:
(1) The abandoned property is left unattended for more than 48 hours; or
(2) In the judgement of the member of the police department, the abandoned property constitutes a safety hazard or unreasonably interferes with the use of the real property by the person in possession.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 14-551
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.