A city noise ordinance and curfews for city parks will soon be in effect. The Columbia City Council approved final reading of two new ordinances during a special called meeting Monday.
The noise ordinance sets restrictions on amplified music, shouting and other excessive noise from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. This ordinance may be enforced by the Columbia Police Department.
The ordinance sets a limit for audible sounds 10 ft. from a structure or 25 ft. if the sound is not inside a building. There should be no sound creating 50 decibels during the time period.
Police Chief Evan Burton told the council that officers will have an app on their phones that will allow them to measure sound by decibels. Currently, Burton said officers have no real enforcement and often return to a property multiple times following complaints.
The ordinance will allow for a fine of up to $250 and each incident can be treated as separate violations.
Curfews Set for Parks
Curfews for city-owned parks were also approved.
At the request of some residents, the ordinance was amended slightly to allow usage of the parks earlier in the morning that was originally recommended.
People are prohibited from being in the parks from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The parks owned by the city include City Park on Fairground Street, Veterans Memorial Park on Highway 55 South and Citizens Park on Burkesville Street.
The council also approved an ordinance amendment to increase from $40,000 to $50,000 the amount allowed for a project before it is required to go through a bidding process.
Also during the special called meeting, the council gave final approval to an ordinance amending the current fiscal year budget and adopted the 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The new budget includes a 5 percent pay increase for employees.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com
