Yellowstone County, MT Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Section 27-1701 makes the zoning coordinator the enforcement officer for the Yellowstone County Zoning Code, with authority to delegate to Planning and Community Services staff or ask the Board of County Commissioners to appoint an enforcement officer. Section 27-1702 defines eight violation categories: building, altering or using land in contravention of the code (A); creating or expanding a nonconforming use, structure, lot or sign (B); reducing required lot area, setbacks or open space below the code minimum (C); changing a land or building use without following code procedures (D); acting inconsistently with an issued permit's terms (E) or its conditions of approval (F); failing to remove a sign after notice (G); and obtaining a permit through misrepresentation or withheld information (H).

Section 27-1703 holds the property owner, any contractor or agent who knowingly participates, and any tenant or occupant with control over the property jointly and severally responsible. Section 27-1704 requires the County to allow at least 30 days for voluntary compliance before filing a formal complaint in court, per MCA 76-2-210(2). Enforcement tools include denying or withholding permits until a violation is corrected, approving permits conditioned on correction, revoking permits for material departures from approved plans or false representation (with revocation notices delivered by certified mail), issuing stop-work or stop-use orders, and forfeiting illegally placed signs, which are a strict liability offense under Article 27-1400.