Columbia License—Required; term; renewal ordinance (§ 4-2)
Chapter 4: Alcoholic Beverages · Article I. In General
In short: Anyone making, brewing, selling or distributing liquor or nonintoxicating beer in the city needs a license. Licenses run one year from June 30 and renew each June 30; those who start later pay for the remaining part of the year, and shorter licenses carry a prorated fee.
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, either personally or through the use of agents or employees, to engage in the manufacture, brewing, sale or distribution of intoxicating liquors or nonintoxicating beer within the city, without the appropriate license issued under this chapter. Licenses shall be issued for a period of one (1) year from the thirtieth (30th) day of June each year. Persons desiring to secure licenses after the thirtieth (30th) day of June shall pay for such portion of the license year remaining at the time such license is issued. Thereafter, all renewals of licenses shall be made on the thirtieth (30th) day of June each year.
(b) If the business services administrator determines that there is good reason not to issue a license for the full period of time ending on June 30, the business services administrator may issue a license for a shorter period of time. Persons licensed under this subsection shall pay only a prorated license fee.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 4-2
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.