Columbia Same—In public parks and playgrounds ordinance (§ 16-288)
Chapter 16: Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions · Article III. Noise
In short: Noncommercial sound amplifiers may be used in public parks and playgrounds any day, including Sundays and holidays, if the sound isn't audible beyond 300 feet. They're barred on a school's public playground on days the school building is in use. Other rules from section 16-287 apply as applicable.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
The regulations provided in section 16-287 of this chapter insofar as applicable, shall apply to any noncommercial use of any sound amplifying equipment in any public park or public playground within the corporate limits of the city; provided, however, that operations shall be authorized on all days including Sundays and legal holidays; except that no such sound amplifying equipment shall be used on any public playground in connection with any public school building on days on which such public building is being used for school purposes; and provided, further, that, the volume of sound from such sound amplification equipment when used on public parks and public playgrounds shall be controlled so that it will not be audible for a distance in excess of three hundred (300) feet from the sound amplifying equipment.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 16-288
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.