The following information is provided as a resource to aid citizens in reporting code violations and nuisance issues.
| Violation/Issue | Description | Division / Phone | Reporting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergencies | Call 9-1-1 | ||
| Addresses | All buildings should display the assigned address in a position easily seen and readable from the street. | Building & Site Development 874-7474 | |
| Animals | Columbia has numerous ordinances regarding the proper treatment and care of animals, including licensing, keeping vicious dogs from the public, cleaning dog waste from public and private right-of-way, etc. | Animal Control449-1888 | Report by Email or by calling 449-1888 |
| Crime | Report illegal activity. | 573-442-6131 | Report Online |
| Discrimination | If you feel you have been discriminated against in the areas of employment, public accommodation or housing. | Law Department 817-5024 | More Information |
| Electric outages | If you are experiencing an outage please call us. Any details of the outage you can supply will be appreciated. | Water & Light 875-2555 | |
| Fences | All fences must be maintained and in good repair. | Building & Site Development 874-7474 | More Information |
| Fire Code Violation | If you see a situation which you believe constitutes a life safety hazard, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Division. | Fire Marshal’s Division 874-7556 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7556 |
| Fire Hydrant (Obstructed or Blocked) | If you see a fire hydrant that is obstructed by vegetation, vehicles, fences, or other materials, please call the Fire Marshal’s Division. | Fire Marshal’s Division 874-7556 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7556 |
| Food | File a complaint if you see a food-safety issue you believe to be a code violation. | Environmental Health 874-7346 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7346 |
| Housing | Every dwelling must be maintained in good repair and be fit for human living. The owner is responsible for making repairs or improvements necessary to correct conditions dangerous or harmful to the occupants or other residents. | Neighborhood Services 817-5050 | Report by Email or by calling 817-5050 |
| Graffiti | If the graffiti is on a private residence or business, please leave the address, as well as the part of the property it is on. If the graffiti is in the public right-of-way, such as a light post or traffic sign, please leave as much information as possible to assist the City in locating it—this includes the side of the street it is on, nearby intersections, etc. | Neighborhood Services 817-5050 | Report by Email or by calling 817-5050 |
| Junk | Yards of all homes must be kept clear of inappropriate items, such as appliances, bedding, bottles, boxes, broken glass, cans, cardboard, cartons, furniture manufactured for indoor use only, household appliances, jars, lumber and building supply materials that are not neatly stacked, machine parts, motor vehicle parts, pallets, paper, plumbing fixtures, rags, scrap metal, tire rims, tires, water heaters. | Neighborhood Services 817-5050 | Report by Email or by calling 817-5050 |
| Noise | Loud music, noises, etc. cannot be audible from a distance of 50 feet between the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., or from a distance of 100 feet between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. This restriction is 50 feet for operating vehicles at all times. | Police 442-6131 | Report by calling 442-6131 |
| Parks & Trails | Use this number to report problems with the trails and park amenities. Examples include downed trees and limbs, eroded trail sections, playground equipment damage, water leaks, vandalism, restroom fixtures not working, lights not working, or graffiti damage. | Park Services Division 874-7201 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7201 |
| Parking Meters Malfunctioning | Report broken or malfunctioning parking meters. | Parking Enforcement 874-7561 | Report Online or by calling 874-7673 |
| Police | Report problems or incidents with Columbia Police Department Officers. | Report Online | |
| Pot Holes | Streets & Sidewalks Maintenance874-6289 | Report Online | |
| Sewage | Onsite sewage (ordinances prohibit the chronic discharge of sewage effluent above ground and the discharge of wastewater off of the property) and defective sewers. | Environmental Health 874-7346 | Report Online or by calling 874-7346 |
| Sewer Maintenance Emergencies | Sewer Utility | 24 hours a day, call 445-9426. | |
| Sidewalk Repair/Maintenance | Report trip hazards and other sidewalk damage. | Streets & Sidewalks Maintenance 874-6289 | Report by Email or by calling 874-6289 |
| Sewer Utility Service Billing Errors | If you suspect a sewer utility billing error you may request a review of your account. | Utility Customer Services 573-874-7380 | Complete and e-mail form. |
| Smoking in Public Places | File a complaint if you see people smoking in a restaurant, bar or other public setting. | Environmental Health 874-7346 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7346 |
| Standing water/mosquitoes | Mosquitoes can develop in any standing water that is present for more than five days. West Nile Virus can be controlled by eliminating breeding sites in standing water and other debris. Report standing water or large numbers of mosquitoes in your neighborhood. | Environmental Health 874-7346 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7346 |
| Storm Drainage Problems | Stormwater Management 874-7250 | Report Online | |
| Stormwater Pollution Problem | Report illicit discharges or dumping into storm drains. | Stormwater Management 874-7250 | Report Online |
| Street Light Malfunctions | Report malfunctioning street lights, whether they are not working at night or on during the day. | Water & Light 874-7325 | Report Online |
| Street Signs / Traffic Lights | Report a faded, missing, rusted, vandalized or broken street sign or malfunctioning traffic light. | Streets & Sidewalks Maintenance 874-6289 | Report Online |
| Tenant Complaints | City of Columbia residents who rent their homes and have a property maintenance problem that is not being resolved after requests to their landlord can file a complaint with the Neighborhood Services Division of Community Development. | Neighborhood Services 817-5050 | Report Online |
| Trash | Accumulation of trash and garbage as well as “improperly placed materials” (including trash, recyclables, and yard waste improperly placed curbside or prior to 4 p.m.) | Solid Waste Utility 874-6291 | Report Online |
| Trees | Trees must not hang over sidewalks, streets and alleys so that the lower limbs are closer than 14 feet to the travel portion of any street or alley. | Neighborhood Services 817-5050 | Report by Email or by calling 817-5050 |
| Trees in or Near Power Lines | Water & Light 874-7325 | Report Online | |
| Vehicles | Unlicensed motor vehicles must not be parked, kept or stored on real estate except in a garage, a similar fully enclosed structure, or a carport. | Neighborhood Services 817-5050 | Report by Email or by calling 817-5050 |
| Report a Vehicle for Hire (taxi, transportation network operator) Issue | Citizens and visitors may report concerns and/or complaints against a vehicle for hire driver or company. | Report by Email, fax or mail. | |
| Vehicles Parked on Grass | Vehicle parking is only permitted on improved areas – dust free pavement. | Building & Site Development 874-7474 | More Information |
| Vehicles Parked on Street |
The City of Columbia has the following rules in place regarding the parking of motor vehicles:
|
Police 442-6131 | Report by calling 442-6131 |
| Vehicles Parking in Fire Lanes | If you see vehicles parking in fire lanes, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Division. | Fire Marshal’s Division 874-7556 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7556 |
| Water outages | If you are experiencing an outage please call us. | Water & Light 875-2555. | |
| Water Leaks | Please contact our office if you spot a water leak. If it is a serious problem that needs immediate attention, please call the emergency number at 875-2555. | Water & Light 874-7325 | Report Online |
| Weeds | Owners or occupants are responsible for cutting and removing all weeds and grass over 12 inches high | Neighborhood Services 817-5050 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7339 |
| County Nuisances | Report a nuisance outside the city limits of Columbia or any other incorporated municipality. The County nuisance ordinance applies to weeds, trash, junk and unlicensed vehicles. | Environmental Health 874-7346 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7346 |
| Other Nuisances | Including Solid Waste Storage, Rat Harborage, weeds or vegetation blocking streets or sidewalks, dead animals, noxious odors, stagnant or leaking water or open cisterns. | Environmental Health 874-7346 | Report by Email or by calling 874-7346 |