Public Conduct in Columbia, SC (2026)
4 verified public conduct rules for Columbia, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Public Urination
Columbia makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate on any public or private property in the city outside a restroom or other designated sanitary facility. The blanket rule, adopted in 2004, applies citywide regardless of location and carries misdemeanor penalties under the general code.
Columbia Ban on Public Urination or Defecation
Some RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 14-104
It shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate on or in any public or private property within the city except in a restroom or other toilet facility designated for the sanitary disposal of human waste.
Loitering Rules
Columbia bans loitering that creates a disturbance, obstructs pedestrians or vehicles, or is tied to begging, gambling, prostitution, unlicensed solicitation, or unlawful drug or alcohol possession. Police must first order a loiterer to leave; only refusal to comply becomes the actual violation.
Columbia Loitering Ordinance
Some RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 14-97
As used in this section, the term "loitering" shall mean remaining idle in essentially one location, spending time idly, loafing or walking around aimlessly in a public place in such a manner as to: (1)Create or cause to be created a disturbance or annoyance...(5)Engage in begging;(6)Engage in gambling;(7)Engage in prostitution... Violations. Any person loitering in any public place as defined ...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Columbia bans smoking outdoors within 25 feet of building entrances, playgrounds, outdoor dining and bar seating, arenas, shopping malls, transit stops and other listed public locations under Section 8-219, extending the city's indoor workplace smoke-free law into a wide buffer of outdoor space.
Columbia Outdoor Smoking Ban
Significant RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 8-219
Smoking shall be prohibited in the following outdoor places: (a)Within a reasonable distance of 25 feet outside entrances, operable windows, and ventilation systems of enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited, so as to prevent tobacco smoke from entering those areas by those or any other means.(b)On all outdoor property that is adjacent to buildings owned, leased, or operated by the City of C...
Public Alcohol Use
Columbia bans drinking or carrying an open container of alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, tree zones, parking garages and parks, with fines up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. Council-approved festivals, sidewalk cafe encroachments, and permitted block parties are the main carved-out exceptions.
Columbia Open Container and Public Drinking Ban
Some RestrictionsColumbia, SC Code of Ordinances § 14-99
Prohibited. Except as expressly provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to consume, or to possess in an open container, any alcoholic beverage in or on any public street, road, alley, sidewalk, tree zone, parking garage or park within the city... Penalty. A person convicted of violating this section shall be fined not more than $500.00 and/or imprisoned for not more 30 days.
Looking for Richland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Columbia city rules.
Public Conduct in Richland County →