Columbia Number required; fees ordinance (§ 4-81)
Chapter 4: Alcoholic Beverages · Article III. Nonintoxicating Beer
In short: Anyone making or selling nonintoxicating beer in the city needs a license for each place of business. Annual fees: $250 local manufacturer, $50 distributor or wholesaler (5% beer wholesalers may sell under that license), $37.50 on-premises sales, $22.50 package sales to consumers.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell or expose for sale, either at wholesale or retail in the city, nonintoxicating beer in any quantity without first having obtained a license therefor. A separate license shall be required for each place of business, and the following license fees shall be paid annually:
(1) Two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00)—Manufacture and sale by manufacturer of nonintoxicating beer, brewed or manufactured in this city.
(2) Fifty dollars ($50.00)—Sale by distributor or wholesaler other than the manufacturer and brewer thereof, of nonintoxicating beer; provided, however, that any person holding a license as a distributor or wholesaler to sell five (5) per cent beer is hereby authorized to sell nonintoxicating beer under such wholesaler or distributor license to sell five (5) per cent beer.
(3) Thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents ($37.50)—Sale of nonintoxicating beer for consumption on the premises where sold.
(4) Twenty-two dollars and fifty cents ($22.50)—Sale of nonintoxicating beer by grocers and other merchants and dealers for sale in the original package direct to consumers, but not for resale.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 4-81
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.