Fire Regulations in Billings, MT

If you live in Billings or are thinking about moving there, fire regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Billings has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fire regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Fire Pits & Backyard Fires

Billings doesn't require a permit for recreational fires or portable outdoor fireplaces, but the fire code official can order one extinguished immediately if it turns hazardous or if a required burn permit wasn't obtained.

Key details: Permit needed: only for bonfires, ag/rural burning. Recreational fires: no permit required. Extinguishment: ordered anytime a hazard exists. Penalty: misdemeanor, up to $500 / 6 months.

Refusing a fire official's order to extinguish, or burning without a required permit, is a misdemeanor under Sec. 112.4: up to $500 and 6 months in jail, with each day a separate offense.

Billings is more permissive than most cities when it comes to fire pits & backyard fires. That said, there are still limits.

Propane Storage

Billings caps liquefied petroleum gas storage under its adopted Fire Code at 2,000 gallons aggregate capacity per installation and confines outdoor above-ground tanks to heavy commercial and industrial zones.

Key details: Aggregate cap: 2,000 gallons per installation. Bulk storage zones: Heavy commercial/light/heavy industrial only. Enforced by: Fire Prevention Bureau. Max penalty: $500 fine or 6 months jail.

Violating the adopted Fire Code, including the LP-gas storage limits, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to 6 months imprisonment, or both; each 10 days a violation continues is a separate offense.

Outdoor Burning

Billings requires a fire code official permit before any agricultural, rural, or government open burning, and can order fires extinguished if they turn hazardous.

Key details: Permit required: Yes, for agricultural/rural/government open burns. Who can apply: Landowner, lessee, or responsible person. Enforcement: Fire code official. Max penalty: $500 fine / 6 months jail.

Violating fire code provisions is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500.00 or up to 6 months imprisonment, or both; each day a violation continues after notice is a separate offense (Sec. 14-301, IFC § 112.4 as amended).

Fireworks

Billings bans possessing, selling, or setting off fireworks citywide except at a fire marshal-permitted supervised public display.

Key details: Personal/consumer fireworks: Banned citywide. Exception: Permitted supervised display only. Display permit lead time: 14 days minimum. Max fine: $500 plus up to 6 months jail. Enforcement: Fire dept. or police may seize stock.

Misdemeanor under Sec. 1-110: fine up to $500, up to 6 months jail, or both, with each day a separate offense; fire department or police may also seize all fireworks in violation.

Compared to other cities, Billings takes a harder line on fireworks. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Brush Clearance

Billings requires property owners to cut weeds and untended vegetation over 12 inches down to 4 inches, citing fire hazard as a trigger.

Key details: Height trigger: over 12 inches. Required cut height: 4 inches or less. Compliance deadline: April 30 annually. Maintain clear through: September 30. Repeat penalty: $25/$50/$75 per cutting.

City can cut the weeds itself and bill the owner: cost plus 25% admin fee, plus $25/$50/$75 penalty for the 1st/2nd/3rd+ cutting per year, all as a lien on the property (Sec. 25-303, 25-304, 25-307). Violations are municipal infractions under Sec. 25-306.

Smoke Detectors

Billings' zoning code requires every licensed short-term rental unit to have working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and CO2 detectors before it can legally operate under the city's short-term rental permit program.

Key details: Required gear: Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, CO2 detectors. Applies to: Licensed short-term rental units only. Citation: Sec. 27-1005(O)(10)(a), Billings Municipal Code. Enforced by: Zoning coordinator; permit denial/revocation. Permit term: Annual, renewed through zoning coordinator.

Missing smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or CO2 detectors is a code-compliance failure that can support short-term rental permit denial, non-renewal, or revocation under Sec. 27-1621.

Wildfire Zones

The Billings fire chief can close hazardous fire areas to public entry during high wildfire danger and reopen them once conditions ease, per Municipal Code Art. 14-500.

Key details: Authority: Fire chief or designee. Sign size: 50 sq in minimum, orange. Posting interval: Every 1/4 mile on roads. Max penalty: $500 fine / 6 months.

Criminal trespass to a posted hazardous fire area, or tampering with closure signs/barricades/locks, is punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to 6 months imprisonment, or both.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Billings actively enforces its wildfire zones requirements.

The Bottom Line

Billings is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Billings, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.