Columbia Unlawful boarding, tampering with emergency equipment ordinance (§ 9-42)
Chapter 9: Fire Prevention and Protection · Article III. Fire Department
In short: Without permission from the fire official in charge, you may not climb on, board, cling to or swing on a fire department emergency vehicle (moving or parked), sound its siren, horn or bell, or tamper with its controls, equipment or protective clothing.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
It shall be unlawful for any person, without proper authorization from the fire official in charge of fire department emergency equipment, to cling to, attach himself to, climb upon or into, board or swing upon any fire department emergency vehicle, whether the same is in motion or at rest, or sound the siren, horn, bell or other sound-producing device thereon, or to manipulate or tamper with, or attempt to manipulate or tamper with any levers, valves, switches, starting devices, brakes, pumps, or any equipment or protective clothing on, or a part of, any fire department emergency vehicle.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 9-42
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.