Columbia Loud noises prohibited ordinance (§ 16-256)
Chapter 16: Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions · Article III. Noise
In short: It's illegal to make or continue any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise that annoys, disturbs or endangers others' comfort, peace, health or safety. This rule doesn't cover radios, music players, musical instruments or similar sound devices, or shouting, singing, whistling and speech.
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 make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise or any noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others within the limits of the city. This subsection shall not apply to sounds from any radio, phonograph, tape player, compact disc player, musical instrument or any similar device for producing or amplifying sound. This subsection shall not apply to shouting, singing, whistling or verbal utterances.
(b) The acts described in this division, among others, are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this article, but such enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 16-256
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.