Animal Ordinances in Columbia, MO (2026)

Columbia Code of Ordinances § 5-91

The maximum number of chickens allowed is six (6) per tract of land regardless of how many dwelling units are on the tract. Only female chickens are allowed. There is no restriction on chicken species.

Columbia Code of Ordinances § 5-58

It shall be unlawful for any person keeping, harboring, owning or responsible for a dog to permit the dog to be off of the premises of the person keeping, harboring, owning or responsible for the dog unless the dog is held on a leash by a competent person. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a dog in a vehicle being driven or parked upon a street if the dog is secured in a manner ...

Columbia Code of Ordinances § 5-57

No person shall own, keep, harbor or allow to be in or upon the person's premises any dangerous or aggressive animal unless it is confined in accordance with the provisions of this section. An animal is dangerous or aggressive: (1) If it bites or otherwise injures any person or domestic animal or pet, or (2) If it habitually snaps at, growls or otherwise manifests a disposition to bite, attack ...

Columbia Code of Ordinances § 5-9(a)

No person shall keep, harbor, own or knowingly allow to be in or upon the person's premises any dangerous exotic animal. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a properly maintained and licensed zoological park, circus, scientific or educational institution, research laboratory or veterinary hospital.

Columbia Code of Ordinances § 5-60

No person shall, at any time, keep, harbor or own, at one location within the city, more than a total of four (4) dogs or cats over the age of six (6) months. This provision shall not apply to a lawfully operated commercial kennel, a kennel maintained in connection with a small animal hospital, the city pound or persons in their role as registered caretakers of feral cats.

Columbia Code of Ordinances § 5-63

No person shall own, keep, harbor or permit to be or remain on or about such person's premises any dog or cat over three (3) months of age which has not been licensed. (Code 1964, § 5.050; Ord. No. 13502, § 1, 11-2-92; Ord. No. 23568, § 1, 6-4-18) Cross reference— Licenses, permits and miscellaneous business regulations, Ch. 13.

Columbia Code of Ordinances § 5-5(a)

Intact dogs and cats impounded for the third time shall be spayed or neutered before being released, with the following exceptions:(1)Dogs being used by law enforcement agencies for law enforcement activities or such dogs designated as breeding stock by an appropriate agency or organization approved by the director;(2)Dogs that have been appropriately trained and are being used as service dogs ...

Columbia Code of Ordinances § 5-5(a)

If the animal is a domestic dog or cat that has not been implanted with a readable identifying microchip, the animal shall be implanted with an identifying microchip before being released. The owner shall pay a microchip implantation fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) plus the cost of the microchip before the dog or cat is released. If the animal has previously been implanted with a microchip, the...

Columbia Code of Ordinances § 29-3.3(q)

(q)Primary use of land and buildings: Veterinary hospital. This use, when domesticated animals or fowl are treated, kept, cared for, bred or board on-site, shall be subject to the following additional standards:(1)Any outside animal run structure, pen or enclosure shall be fully fenced (including overhead).(2)A secondary or perimeter fence or wall shall be constructed around all outside animal ...

Columbia Code of Ordinances §§ 5-14, 5-15

Whenever the director becomes aware that birds, not otherwise protected, regulated or controlled be federal or state law, rule or regulation, are congregating or flocking together in such numbers as to cause a health hazard or are interfering with the peace, quiet, comfort or repose of the inhabitants of the city, the director may take whatever steps are necessary to remove or disperse the cong...