Business Licensing & Operations in Columbia, MO (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for Columbia, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Columbia, Missouri's zoning code keeps indoor adult entertainment and adult retail businesses at least 1,000 feet from schools, churches, parks, libraries, homes, and each other.
Columbia Adult Business Spacing Rule
Significant RestrictionsColumbia Code of Ordinances § 29-3.3(x)(2)
(x)Primary use of land and buildings: Indoor entertainment, adult and retail, adult. This use is subject to the following additional standards:(1)Adult retail shall be conducted in a completely enclosed structure (i.e., no outdoor display or storage);(2)Indoor adult entertainment shall not be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of any pre-existing elementary/secondary school, religious ins...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Columbia, Missouri requires every tattoo shop to hold a health department permit, renewed each December 31, before performing any tattooing within city limits in Boone County.
Columbia Tattoo Establishment Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsColumbia Code of Ordinances § 11-362(a),(d),(e)
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to tattoo another person except at a tattoo establishment which has a current tattoo establishment permit issued by the director.(b)Any person desiring a tattoo establishment permit shall make written application for a permit on forms provided by the director. The application shall include the applicant's full name, address, telephone number, location of t...
Tobacco Retail License
Columbia, Missouri requires a separate tobacco retailer license, covering vapor and alternative nicotine products too, for every sales location, renewed annually by June 30 under Chapter 11, Article X.
Columbia Tobacco Retailer License Required
Some RestrictionsColumbia Code of Ordinances § 11-311(a),(d)
(a)Tobacco retailer license required. It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct business as a tobacco retailer or engage in tobacco retailing without first having obtained a license therefor as required by this article.(b)Multiple places of business. Any person conducting business as a tobacco retailer or engaging in tobacco retailing at more than one location in the city shall obtain a se...
Secondhand Dealers
Junk dealers and junkyards in Columbia, Missouri must hold a city license from the business license administrator before buying, selling, or storing scrap and used materials for resale.
Columbia, MO Junk Dealer License Required
Significant RestrictionsColumbia, Missouri Code of Ordinances § 11-196
It shall be unlawful for any person hereafter to construct, erect, enlarge, alter, repair, move, relocate, improve, remove, convert, equip, use, operate, or maintain any junkyard or to act as a junk dealer in the city, whether personally, by agents or employees, singly, or along with some other business or enterprise, without first having obtained a license therefor from the business license ad...
Pawnbrokers
Columbia, Missouri requires anyone loaning money against personal property, or buying it with an option to resell, to obtain a city pawnbroker license before doing business under Boone County jurisdiction.
Columbia, Missouri Pawnbroker License
Some RestrictionsColumbia Code of Ordinances § 13-97
No person shall do business as a pawnbroker without having first obtained a license therefor. Application for such license shall conform to the provisions of this article and be in such form as the business license administrator shall dictate, and include an affidavit in which the applicant shall subscribe and make oath that he will faithfully carry out the provisions of this chapter. Each loca...
Towing Companies
Columbia, Missouri requires motor vehicle wrecker service businesses storing more than fifteen vehicles next to residential zoning to build a solid screening fence, the city's only towing-specific business rule.
Columbia, Missouri Tow Yard Screening Rule
Some RestrictionsColumbia Code of Ordinances § 13-246(a)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, a permanent screen shall be constructed and maintained on all property:(1)Which is used in connection with a motor vehicle wrecker service business;(2)Which is used to keep or store more than fifteen (15) motor vehicles at any one (1) time; and(3)Which abuts zoning districts R-1, R-2, or R-MF. The permanent screen shall be located in such a manner ...
Looking for Boone County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Columbia city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Boone County →