Animal Ordinances in Billings, MT (2026)
6 verified animal ordinances for Billings, Montana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Billings allows up to six chicken hens on single-family lots with an annual animal control permit, a predator-proof coop, and a 10-foot setback from property lines; roosters and multi-family properties are barred.
Billings Backyard Chicken Hen Permit
Some RestrictionsSec. 4-303
Up to six (6) chicken hens (female Gallus gallus domesticus) may be kept on a premise subject to the following requirements and subject to all other applicable provisions of this Code:(1)The chicken hens must be kept on a single-family parcel(s). Chicken hens are prohibited on any multi-dwelling parcel(s).(2)The owner must obtain an annual permit from the city animal control. The fee(s) for thi...
Dog Leash Laws
Billings bans dogs from running loose off their owner's property unless leashed, corded, chained, fenced, or otherwise physically restrained.
Billings Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsSec. 4-406
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, fiel...
Beekeeping
Billings bans hives citywide unless you register as a hobbyist beekeeper and get an annual apiary permit from Animal Control.
Billings Backyard Beekeeping Permit
Significant RestrictionsSec. 4-305, Billings Municipal Code
No person shall keep or maintain, on any premises, property or place in the city, hives or colonies of bees, except as allowed in this section... A hobbyist beekeeper may own, use, or maintain a hobbyist apiary site within the city provided the hobbyist beekeeper first obtains an annual apiary permit from the Billings Animal Control.
Exotic Pets
Billings prohibits keeping monkeys, big cats, wolves, poisonous snakes, and wolf-dog hybrids as pets or for display anywhere in the city.
Billings Bans Wild Animals as Pets
Heavy RestrictionsSec. 4-301
No person shall possess, keep or permit to be kept on or off his/her premises within the city limits any wild animal or wild animal hybrid. ... Wild animal means any live monkey (nonhuman primate), raccoon, skunk, fox, poisonous snake, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx, bobcat, coyote, wolf, warm-blooded animal taken from the wild state or bred in captivity, or any wild animal hybrid.
Pet Limits
Billings households can keep up to three dogs and/or cats without a permit; a fourth animal triggers a small animal permit, home inspection, and registration with the city.
Billings Requires Permit for 4+ Pets
Some RestrictionsSec. 4-402(a)
A small animal permit is required of every dwelling unit of four (4) or more dogs and/or cats as defined in section 4-401. A small animal permit is required in addition to individual registrations as referenced in section 4-431.
Cat Rules
Billings requires every cat to be registered and rabies-vaccinated within 30 days, and bans letting cats run at large off the owner's property.
Billings Cat Registration and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsSec. 4-406 (see also Sec. 4-401 definition of "Small animal"; Sec. 4-431 registration)
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, fiel...
Looking for Yellowstone County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Billings city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Yellowstone County →