Columbia, SC Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Section 4-1 of the City of Columbia Code of Ordinances protects both birds and squirrels found anywhere within the corporate limits, and it applies with extra force to any park or playground the city owns. The prohibition covers killing, maiming and 'otherwise annoy[ing]' the animals by firearms, air rifles, slingshots 'or in any other manner,' and it separately bars disturbing the nests of birds and squirrels, so non-lethal harassment of a nest is covered too. The section traces to Code 1979, § 9-5003, and was last amended by Ordinance No. 2016-093 on December 6, 2016, the same ordinance that reorganized much of Chapter 4's animal control provisions.

The only carve-out is for property owners overrun by a squirrel population large enough to create a nuisance or cause property damage. That owner, an authorized agent, lessee or tenant may apply to the Animal Services Division for a permit, and if granted may humanely trap the squirrels themselves or hire a private wildlife or pest control company to do it, then relocate the animals. The permit route exists for squirrel damage complaints; the ordinance creates no general nuisance exception for birds, so removing a bird nest or using a pellet gun on a bird because it is loud or messy remains flatly prohibited citywide.

Because the section sits in Chapter 4, Article I, 'Animals Generally,' enforcement runs through the same animal control framework as the rest of the chapter, so Columbia police officers and animal control officers can both act on a complaint. The rule reaches private yards as well as public streets and parks; there is no exemption for a homeowner annoyed by nesting birds on their own house or trees.