Billings, MT Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- BMMC Sec. 4-406
- Off-property rule
- Leash, cord, chain, or fence required
- Trained-dog exception
- Voice control, max 6 feet
- First violation penalty
- Up to $300 civil fine
- Loose dog outcome
- Declared nuisance, impounded
Summary
Billings bans dogs from running loose off their owner's property unless leashed, corded, chained, fenced, or otherwise physically restrained.
No small animal shall be allowed to run at large in the city. No owner or keeper shall allow or permit any small animal to be at large off the owner's or keeper's property unless restrained by leash, cord, chain, fence or other physical means of control. Dogs that have been trained and under positive voice control or command shall be allowed to participate in sanctioned obedience training, field trials, dog shows or competition but shall not be allowed to be separated from their owner, keeper or trainer by more than six (6) feet except on private property with owner permission or on public property as referenced in section 4-407. Any small animal found to be running at large in the city or on private property in violation of this section is a public nuisance and shall be impounded in the animal shelter. Persons found to have committed a violation of this section shall be subject to civil penalties as specified in section 18-1304.
(Ord. No. 05-5351, § 7, 12-12-05; Ord. No. 10-5501, § 1, 1-11-10; Ord. No. 11-5536, § 1, 6-27-11)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 05-5351, § 7, adopted December 12, 2005, amended § 4-406 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Formerly, § 4-406 pertained to dogs at large and derived from the Code of 1967, § 8.08.060.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 66 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 4-406, no dog or other small animal may run at large in Billings. Owners and keepers cannot let an animal off their own property unless it's restrained by leash, cord, chain, fence, or other physical means of control. Dogs in sanctioned obedience training, field trials, dog shows, or competitions may work off-leash under positive voice control but can't be separated from their handler by more than six feet, except on private property with the owner's permission or in designated public areas under Sec. 4-407. A loose dog found in the city or on private property is declared a public nuisance and gets impounded at the animal shelter.
Violations & Fines
Municipal infraction with civil penalties: up to $300 for a first violation, up to $500 for each repeat violation under Sec. 18-1304; the loose animal is also impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog be off-leash in Billings if it's trained?
What happens if my dog gets loose in Billings?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Billings
Compare Billings to another location·View the Montana animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.