Columbia, MO Privacy & Surveillance: License Plate Readers (2026)
Key Facts
- Named technology
- Automatic license plate readers named
- Retention rule
- Use policy must set retention period
- Sharing rule
- Policy must state third-party sharing terms
- Approval
- Council hearing + majority vote required
- Existing ALPR deadline
- Policy adopted within 180 days
Summary
Columbia, Missouri automatic license plate readers are regulated 'surveillance technology' under Boone County's city code; police need council-approved acquisition and a data retention and third-party sharing policy before deployment.
"Technology use policy" means a policy adopted by the chief of police and approved by the city manager for use of a specific item or category of surveillance technology ... The policy must, at a minimum, specify the following: ... Data retention: The time period, if any, for which information collected by the surveillance technology will be routinely retained ... Third party data sharing: If and how other city or non-city entities can access, use, or retain the information ...
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
City Code § 21-61 names 'automatic license plate readers' as surveillance technology; before Columbia, Missouri police can acquire or newly use ALPR cameras, § 21-62 requires a public council hearing after a posted surveillance impact report and technology use policy. That policy must state ALPR data retention periods, the deletion process, and any sharing with outside entities including federal agencies, with required justification. Existing ALPR use needed a published policy within 180 days of the October 2024 ordinance and is subject to annual public reporting to the Boone County seat's city council each March 15.
Violations & Fines
New ALPR deployment or a data-sharing agreement contrary to the adopted use policy requires fresh council approval; violating staff face internal discipline and the city cannot contract around Article IV's requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Columbia's ALPR policy cover ICE data sharing?
Can Columbia police add new license plate readers anytime?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia
Compare Columbia to another location·View the Missouri privacy & surveillance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.