Columbia Unlawful acts ordinance (§ 5-99)
Chapter 5: Animals and Fowl · Article V. Chickens
In short: You can't keep chickens in violation of this article's rules, and owners, renters and leaseholders can't let anyone keep chickens on their property in violation of those rules.
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 to keep chickens in violation of any provision of this article.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any owner, renter or leaseholder of property to allow chickens to be kept on the property in violation of the provisions of this article.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 5-99
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.