Columbia, MO Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed materials
- wood, masonry, brick, stone
- Also allowed
- wrought iron, evergreen hedging
- Prohibited
- chain link, railroad ties
- Min. combined screen height
- 6 feet
- Applies to
- required buffering, not all fences
Summary
Where Columbia, Missouri requires a buffer screen between incompatible zoning uses, the fence must be wood, masonry, brick, stone, wrought iron, or evergreen hedging: chain link and railroad ties are banned outright.
The screen shall be constructed of wood, masonry, brick, stone, wrought iron, compact evergreen hedging, an earth berm, or some combination of those materials. Chain link fence and railroad ties are prohibited.(iii)The combined height of the screening methods identified in this subsection shall not be less than six (6) feet.
Figure 4.4-2: Interior Parking Area Figure 4.4-2: Interior Parking Area
(f)Parking area landscaping.(1)All parking areas containing over one hundred (100) parking spaces shall include interior landscaping equal to at least ten (10) percent of the paved area. Landscaping required to meet the requirements of sections 29-4.4(d) (street frontage landscaping) or 29-4.4(e) (property edge buffering) above shall not be used to satisfy this requirement.
Figure 4.4-3: Parking Area Curb Breaks Figure 4.4-3: Parking Area Curb Breaks
(2)Interior landscaped areas to meet the requirements of subsection (1) above shall be at least ten (10) feet in width, shall contain at least one tree per forty (40) lineal feet of interior landscaped area or part thereof, and shall be designed lower than the paved area so that storm water from the paved parking areas shall flow into the landscaped areas. If curbs are used to prevent vehicle entry into these lowered landscaped areas, they shall have breaks to permit stormwater to enter the landscaped areas.
Figure 4.4-4: Interior Landscaped Area Figure 4.4-4: Interior Landscaped Area
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 138).
Full Breakdown
Columbia's Unified Development Code regulates screening fences used for required property-edge buffering in Boone County's county seat, not every backyard fence, but the wall or fence a developer must build between, say, industrial and residential zoning. Section 29-4.4(e)(3)(ii) limits construction to wood, masonry, brick, stone, wrought iron, compact evergreen hedging, an earth berm, or a combination, standing at least six feet in combined height along the applicant's property line. Chain link fencing and railroad ties are explicitly prohibited as screening materials. The requirement attaches whenever Table 4.4-4's transitional screening levels 1 through 3 apply to a development.
Violations & Fines
Screening that isn't installed per the approved landscape plan can hold up building-permit sign-off and certificate-of-occupancy approval until the city arborist confirms compliant materials are in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chain link for a required screening fence in Columbia?
Does this rule cover every backyard fence in Columbia, MO?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia
Compare Columbia to another location·View the Missouri fence regulations overview
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