Trash & Recycling in Billings, MT (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for Billings, Montana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Billings residents can only place black and green collection containers at the curb the night before pickup and on collection day itself; the rest of the week they must be stored off the street right-of-way.
Billings Trash Pickup: Curb Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsSec. 21-211(g)
Black and green residential containers will be allowed to be placed for collection within, but without obstructing, the street right-of-way the night before and on the day of solid waste collection only. Containers must be stored off the street right-of-way the remainder of the time.
Bin Placement Rules
Billings requires black or green solid waste carts to be stored off the street right-of-way except from the night before through the day of collection, with no underground storage allowed.
Billings Garbage Cart Storage and Set-Out Rules
Some RestrictionsSec. 21-210(a); Sec. 21-211(g)
Underground container storage is not permitted. When collection is made from the street, storage of containers shall not be close to the curb area except on collection days. ... Black and green residential containers will be allowed to be placed for collection within, but without obstructing, the street right-of-way the night before and on the day of solid waste collection only. Containers must...
Bulk Item Disposal
Billings collects bulky items like furniture, TVs, and mattresses from residential customers only on an on-call basis, with an added charge under the city's annual rate resolution.
Billings Bulky Waste Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsSec. 21-218
The city will collect extra and bulky solid waste from residential customers on an on-call basis. Extra solid waste includes items equivalent to a 32-gallon container or approximately two (2) feet by two (2) feet and will be charged per the annual rate resolution. Bulky solid waste includes items greater than seventy-five (75) pounds or larger than a 32-gallon container or two (2) feet by two (...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping solid waste on city right-of-way or another's property without consent is a municipal infraction in Billings, punishable by civil fines up to $300 for a first offense.
Illegal Dumping Penalties in Billings
Some RestrictionsSec. 21-219, Billings Municipal Code
Any deposit of solid waste upon the city right-of-way, city property or the premises or property of another without the express permission or consent of the city, owner, or occupant of such premises is forbidden and prohibited. A violation of this section is designated as a municipal infraction and punishable by civil penalties as specified in section 18-1304.
Yard Waste Collection
Billings runs weekly green-container yard waste pickup for residential customers from early April through late November; contractors must haul away their own debris and yard waste service isn't offered to commercial customers.
Billings Yard Waste & Brush Collection
Some RestrictionsSec. 21-205
Yard waste may include garden waste, grass clippings, leaves, shrub pruning, smaller branches or twigs, and weeds. Yard waste specifically excludes dirt, sod, rocks, and animal droppings. Plastic bags must not be included in yard waste containers. All yard waste resulting from the work of a contractor or the like shall be removed by means provided by and at the sole expense and cost of the cont...
Dumpster Rules
Billings reserves solid waste collection to the city itself, so private roll-off dumpsters and drop-boxes are allowed only as a narrow exception for active construction sites, not general commercial use.
Billings Construction Roll-Off Dumpster Rules
Significant RestrictionsSec. 21-214
It is unlawful for any person other than the city to engage in the business of collecting, removing and disposing of solid waste within the jurisdiction of the city ... except: ... (2) For drop-box service on construction sites; (3) Per a written agreement approved by the city council.
Collection Schedule
The City of Billings picks up residential solid waste once a week in automated black containers, and Sec. 21-214 makes the city the exclusive hauler: private companies can't collect your trash.
Billings Trash Collection Is Weekly, City-Run
Some RestrictionsSec. 21-201; Sec. 21-214
Residential service is defined as once-a-week automated collection of black containers provided by the city from residential properties. ... It is unlawful for any person other than the city to engage in the business of collecting, removing and disposing of solid waste within the jurisdiction of the city...
Looking for Yellowstone County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Billings city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Yellowstone County →