Columbia Chronic nuisance property prohibited ordinance (§ 16-321)
Chapter 16: Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions · Article IV. Nuisances
In short: Property owners and their agents may not let a property become a chronic nuisance property. Before anyone can be prosecuted, the city must follow the procedures in section 16-318, and the same facts can't lead to both prosecution and an administrative action under section 16-319.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) It shall be unlawful for a property owner or a property owner's agent to cause, permit or allow the property to become a chronic nuisance property.
(b) The procedures set forth in section 16-318 must be followed before any property owner or property owner's agent is prosecuted for a violation of this section. No person shall be both prosecuted under this section and made a party to an administrative action under section 16-319 based on the same facts.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 16-321
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.