Moving to Billings, MT? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Billings is a mid-sized city in Yellowstone County, Montana, with about 117000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 74 ordinances across 20 categories that affect daily life in Billings.

Animal Ordinances

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..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Breed Restrictions (moderate), Pet Limits (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Billings for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Billings restricts consumer fireworks to a narrow window around Independence Day under BMC Chapter 15, with discharge prohibited the rest of the year; the Billings Fire Department enforces and Yellowstone County rules apply outside city limits..

Also covered: Outdoor Burning (moderate), Fire Pit Rules (permissive), Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Billings for details.

Building Safety

Pest Control: Billings landlords must maintain rental units free from infestation under BMC Chapter 17 Health and Sanitation and the Montana Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; tenants are responsible for sanitation that contributes to pest problems and must cooperate with treatment..

Also covered: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (moderate), Lead Paint (moderate), Elevator Maintenance (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Billings for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: Billings requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and register with the city before listing properties on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo for stays under 30 days..

Also covered: Taxes & Fees (moderate), Noise Rules (moderate), Occupancy Limits (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Billings for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: Montana state law preempts local rent control under MCA section 70-24-104.1, enacted in 2009. Billings cannot cap residential rent increases or impose rent stabilization on private landlords..

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (permissive), Rental Registration (permissive), Security Deposit Rules (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Billings for details.

Public Health Rules

Bed-Bug Rules: Montana does not have a state bed-bug statute. Billings handles infestations through landlord-tenant habitability rules under MCA Title 70 Chapter 24 and through RiverStone Health complaints when lodging or congregate housing is involved..

Also covered: Restaurant Grade Cards (moderate), Rodent Control (moderate), Syringe Disposal (permissive). See the full public health rules guide for Billings for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Encampment Sanitation: Billings code enforcement and police coordinate encampment cleanups on public property under BMC Chapter 11 and Chapter 27 park rules, providing notice and connecting individuals to local services..

Also covered: Sit-Lie Rules (moderate), Bridge Housing Siting (permissive). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Billings for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Buffer Zones: Billings enforces the Montana state buffer between licensed cannabis businesses and schools, places of worship, and similar protected uses. The local code reference is BMC §27-1602 within the city zoning regulations..

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (moderate), Home Cultivation (moderate), Personal Cultivation Limits (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Billings for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Tobacco Age Restrictions: Montana raised the legal sales age for tobacco and vape products to 21 under MCA §16-11-305, conforming to federal Tobacco 21 law. Billings retailers must check identification and may not sell to anyone under 21..

Also covered: Vape Retail Rules (moderate). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for Billings for details.

Single-Use Items

Plastic Bag Rules: Montana law preempts local plastic-bag bans through MCA §75-10-101 and related provisions. Billings cannot prohibit single-use carryout bags or impose a local bag fee on retailers..

Also covered: Polystyrene Foam Rules (permissive), Plastic Straw Rules (permissive). See the full single-use items guide for Billings for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Billings regulates construction within the FEMA-mapped Yellowstone River floodplain through floodplain permits, elevation requirements, and prohibitions on fill or structures that increase flood heights downstream..

Also covered: Stormwater Management (moderate), Erosion Control (moderate), Vehicle Idling Restrictions (permissive). See the full environmental rules guide for Billings for details.

Water Use Rules

Recycled Water Rules: Billings discharges treated wastewater from its plant to the Yellowstone River under a Montana DEQ permit. The city does not operate a purple-pipe recycled water program for residential or landscape reuse..

Also covered: Leak Reporting Duty (permissive), Lawn Watering Restrictions (moderate). See the full water use rules guide for Billings for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Hillside Overlay Rules: Construction on the sandstone Rims, Skyline Drive area, and bluffs above the Yellowstone Valley is subject to slope-sensitive review under Billings zoning and grading rules to limit erosion and visual impact..

Also covered: Specific Plans Overview (moderate), Density Bonus Law (permissive). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for Billings for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Bike Lane Rules: Billings has a growing network of bike lanes, shared-use trails along the Yellowstone River, and Heritage Trail connections. Bicyclists must follow vehicle code rules under MCA Title 61 with limited city overlays..

Also covered: Shared E-Scooter Rules (permissive), Curb Management (permissive). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for Billings for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Towing Companies: Tow operators in Billings must register with the Montana Public Service Commission for non-consent towing and follow BMC Chapter 8 business licensing. Maximum tow and storage rates are set under state administrative rules..

Also covered: Tobacco Retail License (moderate), Pawnbrokers (moderate), Tattoo & Body Modification (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Billings for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Billings Tree Code Chapter 40 requires permits to remove, prune, or plant trees in the public right of way. Private yard trees on residential lots are not regulated by the city tree ordinance..

Also covered: Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Billings for details.

Public Conduct

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions: The Montana Clean Indoor Air Act bans smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces statewide. Billings adds restrictions on smoking near park playgrounds and the Yellowstone County complex under local rules..

Also covered: Public Alcohol Use (moderate), Public Marijuana Use (strict), Aggressive Panhandling (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Billings for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Montana HB 200 enacted in 2023 prohibits sanctuary policies and requires state and local agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Billings has no formal sanctuary stance and complies with state law..

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Billings hotel guests pay roughly 11 percent in Montana lodging taxes: 7 percent lodging facility tax plus 4 percent sales-on-lodging tax. Montana has no general sales tax but imposes these targeted lodging levies..

Also covered: Hotel Worker Retention (permissive). See the full hotels & lodging guide for Billings for details.

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: Montana preempts local minimum wage ordinances under MCA section 39-3-409. The state minimum is CPI-adjusted to roughly $10.55 per hour.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to Billings, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with Billings's city hall or code enforcement office.