Code or Nuisance Violation Reporting

The following information is provided as a resource to aid citizens in reporting code violations and nuisance issues.

Wallet-sized, reference card - print, cut and fold over to make a wallet-sized reference card

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.	Protective Inspection 874-7474	More Information
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 Control 449-1888	Report by Email or by calling 449-1888
Discrimination	If you feel you have been discriminated against in the areas of employment, public accommodation or housing.	Division of Human Services 874-7488	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.	Protective Inspection 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 441-5485.
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.	Environmental Health 874-7346	Report by Email or by calling 874-7346
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
Non-Motorized Transportation Concerns		Public Works	Report Online
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
Pot Holes		Streets & Sidewalks Maintenance 874-6289	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 874-6287	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
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
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.	Environmental Health 874-7346	Report by Email or by calling 874-7346
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
Vehicles Parked on Grass	Vehicle parking is only permitted on improved areas - dust free pavement.	Protective Inspection 874-7474	More Information
Vehicles Parked on Street	The City of Columbia has the following rules in place regarding the parking of motor vehicles: *Abandoned vehicles* cannot be parked on private property for over 72 consecutive hours. *Vehicles* cannot be parked in the street for over 24 consecutive hours. *Trailers* cannot be parked alone in public streets.	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	Environmental Health 874-7346	Report by Email or by calling 874-7346
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