How Billings Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Billings maintains 114 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Billings falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Material Restrictions
Billings restricts residential and commercial fences to common materials like wood, brick, chain-link, and vinyl, and bans railroad ties, pallets, tires, and rubble.
Key details: Governing section: BMCC Sec. 27-1209(E). Banned materials: Railroad ties, pallets, tires, rubble. Permit trigger: Fences over 36 inches tall. Barbed wire: Only atop 8-ft industrial fences.
Non-compliant material triggers a code enforcement notice from the planning division requiring the fence be rebuilt or removed; a permit is also required for any fence over 36 inches.
Height Limits
Billings caps front-yard fences at 4 feet and side/rear fences at 6 feet, with a planning division permit required above 36 inches.
Key details: Front yard max height: 4 feet. Side/rear yard max height: 6 feet without setback. Permit trigger: over 36 inches. Barbed wire: industrial zones only, 8-ft fence. Governing section: Sec. 27-1209.
Building without the required planning division permit, exceeding the 4-foot front-yard or 6-foot side/rear-yard cap without meeting structure setbacks, or blocking a clear vision area can trigger code enforcement and a stop-work or removal order.
The Bottom Line
Billings's fence regulations 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.
Keep in mind that Billings can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.