Animal Ordinances in Billings, MT: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Billings or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Billings has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Dog Leash Laws

Billings BMC Chapter 4 requires dogs to be leashed or under direct physical control whenever off the owner property; at-large dogs are impounded by Yellowstone County Animal Shelter and the owner pays redemption fees.

Key details: Code chapter: BMC Chapter 4. Impound facility: Yellowstone County Animal Shelter. Off-leash: Only at designated dog parks. License required: Yes, annual city tag.

First offense citation roughly 50 to 100 dollars; subsequent offenses up to 500 dollars plus impound, boarding, and licensing fees recovered before the dog is released.

Chickens & Livestock

Billings allows a limited number of hens on residential lots subject to coop setbacks and prohibits roosters in most residential zones; larger livestock such as horses, cattle, and goats require agricultural zoning under BMC Title 27 zoning code.

Key details: Hens: Allowed with coop setbacks. Roosters: Prohibited in residential zones. Livestock: Agricultural zoning required. Manure: Stored to prevent odor and runoff.

Code-compliance citations begin around 100 dollars per violation. Continued nuisance keeping or rooster crowing may compound daily and trigger removal orders enforced by Billings Animal Control.

Breed Restrictions

Billings does not impose a breed-specific ban; instead BMC Chapter 4 uses behavior-based dangerous and vicious dog designations that trigger registration, secure enclosure, muzzling, and liability insurance requirements after a hearing.

Key details: Breed ban: No, behavior based. Tiers: Potentially dangerous, dangerous, vicious. Insurance: Required for serious tier. Appeal: Municipal court hearing.

Failure to comply with dangerous-dog conditions risks fines up to 500 dollars per occurrence, impoundment, and potential misdemeanor charges if the animal injures another person or pet again.

Pet Limits

Billings caps the number of dogs and cats per residential household under BMC Chapter 4, with additional kennel licensing required when owners exceed the limit; commercial kennels need separate zoning approval under BMC Title 27.

Key details: Limit: Capped per BMC Chapter 4. Over limit: Kennel license required. Commercial kennel: Zoning approval required. Health backstop: RiverStone Health inspections.

Exceeding the limit without a kennel license generally triggers a 100 to 500 dollar citation and an order to reduce animal count; severe sanitation conditions may add health code charges.

Wildlife Feeding

Billings prohibits intentional feeding of deer and other wildlife that creates nuisance or public-safety hazards in residential areas, supporting Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks rules that discourage habituation of wildlife near urban Yellowstone County neighborhoods.

Key details: Targeted species: Deer, turkeys, bears. Birdfeeders: Allowed if maintained. State partner: Montana FWP. Bear attractants: Discouraged year round.

Citations typically begin around 100 dollars per occurrence. Feeding that contributes to a wildlife-vehicle collision or bear conflict can lead to escalated fines and removal orders.

The Bottom Line

Billings's animal ordinances rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Billings is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Billings's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.