Columbia Barking, annoying dogs ordinance (§ 5-56)
Chapter 5: Animals and Fowl · Article III. Dogs, Cats and Other Animals
In short: You can't keep a dog that annoys a neighborhood or any person with loud, continual or frequent barking, howling or yelping, or that habitually barks at or chases pedestrians or vehicles. The city dog pound, veterinary offices and hospitals, and licensed kennels or pet shops are exempt.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
No person shall own, keep or harbor any dog which, by loud, continual or frequent barking, howling or yelping, shall annoy or disturb any neighborhood or any person, or which habitually barks at or chases pedestrians, or vehicles, whatsoever, to the annoyance of such pedestrian or drivers of such vehicles; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to the city dog pound, veterinary offices and hospitals, or licensed kennels or pet shops.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 5-56
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.