Code Enforcement

Code enforcement is a regulatory activity that benefits the City of Columbia and its citizens by helping to keep the city vital. The City enforces minimum property standards, sign regulations, zoning regulations and nuisance ordinances, which help to stabilize neighborhoods, protect property values, insure a healthy and safe environment in which we live, and promotes the City’s overall appearance.

Citizen complaints regarding substandard buildings, zoning violations, unlawful signs or any code enforcement issue can be called into this division. The complaint process can be formal or informal depending upon your choosing. An example of an informal complaint is, an anonymous phone call to Building and Site Development Division advising of a potential violation. A formal complaint is when the complainant gives their name and requests that the results of the inspection and intended enforcement measure be reported back. Here the communication between the complainant and Building & Site Development Division becomes a part of the permanent record.

In code enforcement, the objective is to abate identified code violations. We sincerely want to work with property owners/occupants to help them comply with the City ordinance by providing professional code enforcement services. In the event a code violation is not abated within the notice period time, we must follow the ordinances’ requirements for enforcement of and penalty for noncompliance.

Should you wish to register a complaint regarding a property, a sign, a zoning use, etc., please contact an inspector at (573) 874-7474.

• Print a Complaint Form