Shed permit rules in Yellowstone County, MT — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
In the county zoning area around Billings, accessory buildings such as sheds must sit in the rear yard, at least two feet from the rear or side lot line and two feet from any alley. Buildings housing animals need at least five feet. Rural unzoned land sets no rule.
Yellowstone County's adopted Zoning Ordinance governs accessory structures in the district around Billings. Section 17.48.060 requires that in any residential district all accessory buildings be located in the rear yard, "not less than two feet from the rear or side lot line nor less than two feet from the alley line." A corner-lot accessory building must keep at least a twenty-foot setback from the side street unless set back ten feet behind the principal building. Any accessory building used to house animals or fowl must be at least five feet from a rear or side lot line and twenty feet from a neighbor's dwelling. Maximum building height in most residential districts is 30-40 feet. On unzoned rural county land the
A shed placed closer than the required setback in the zoning area is a zoning violation; Code Enforcement (406-652-2050) can require relocation or removal. There is no county permit or setback on rural unzoned land.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Yellowstone County, MT
Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning backyard composting. Residents may compost yard and food waste; keep piles from becoming a rodent, odor, or vecto...
Yellowstone County, MT
Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning or requiring a permit for artificial turf on residential lawns. Homeowners may install synthetic grass; HOA coven...
Yellowstone County, MT
Yellowstone County does not require or prohibit native-plant landscaping. Residents may plant Montana natives and drought-tolerant xeriscape freely, provided...
Yellowstone County, MT
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Montana and encouraged. Yellowstone County has no ordinance restricting rain barrels. Rooftop collection for outdoor landsca...
Yellowstone County, MT
Unincorporated Yellowstone County imposes no standing lawn-watering rule. The City of Billings enacts temporary Stage 1 restrictions during peak demand, typi...
Yellowstone County, MT
Montana law makes noxious-weed control MANDATORY for every landowner. State statute makes it unlawful to let a noxious weed go to seed on your land, and the ...
See how Yellowstone County's shed rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.