Landscaping Rules in Columbia, MO (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Columbia, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Columbia, Missouri property owners must keep tree limbs at least 14 feet above the traveled portion of adjoining streets and alleys, per § 24-6 of the city code.
Tree Clearance Over Streets in Columbia, Missouri
Some RestrictionsColumbia Code of Ordinances § 24-6
It shall be unlawful for any person occupying, in charge or control of or owning any real estate in the city to permit the trees on such property to hang over the sidewalks, streets and alleys so that the lower limbs thereof shall be closer than fourteen (14) feet to the vehicular traveled portion of any street or alley. The owner, occupant, tenant or person in control of any real estate shall ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Columbia, Missouri, clearing or logging trees 4 inches DBH or larger on tracts of one acre or more requires a land disturbance permit, logging permit, or tree preservation plan under the Unified Development Code.
Columbia, MO Tree Clearing Permit
Some RestrictionsColumbia Code of Ordinances § 29-4.4(i)(1)
The clearing or logging of existing trees four-inch DBH or greater by any means on tracts of land of one (1) acre or more shall be unlawful unless done in compliance with a land disturbance permit, logging permit, or tree preservation plan pursuant to chapter 12A of the City Code as applicable. (2) A minimum of twenty-five (25) percent of any climax forest area on any tract of land, one acre ...
Weed Ordinances
Columbia, Missouri caps turf grass and weeds at 12 inches on any lawn or yard in Boone County; taller growth is a public nuisance the city can abate and bill to the owner.
Columbia, Missouri Weed and Turf Height Limit
Some RestrictionsColumbia Code of Ordinances § 11-252(a)(1)
All turf grass and turf weeds must be mowed and trimmed to prevent these plants from attaining a height of more than twelve (12) inches.
Water Restrictions
Columbia, Missouri has no standing lawn-watering schedule: irrigation restrictions kick in only when the city manager declares a water use emergency, triggered by a main break or demand nearing 24 million gallons a day.
Columbia, Missouri Emergency Water-Use Rule
Light RestrictionsColumbia, Missouri Code of Ordinances § 7-5
(a) The city manager is authorized to declare a water use emergency under any of the following conditions: (1) An equipment failure, large fire or water main break has caused or, unless emergency water conservation measures are taken, will cause inadequate water pressures and flows for fire protection. (2) Water system pumping is reasonably estimated to reach the 24 million gallons per day leve...
Native Plants
Columbia, Missouri exempts managed native landscapes from its 12-inch mowing rule if the yard controls invasive plants and clears dead native vegetation by March 21 each year.
Columbia, MO Native Landscape Exception
Few RestrictionsColumbia, Missouri Code of Ordinances § 11-252(b)(1)
Managed native landscapes which may or may not have gone to seed or developed to maturity are permitted provided that the native landscape meets all requirements in section 11-252(a) of this Code, non-native invasive plants are controlled, and dead native vegetation is removed annually by March 21st.(2)All urban agricultural crops, agricultural crops, community gardens and vegetable gardens are...
Looking for Boone County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Columbia city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Boone County →