Bozeman, MT Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Where to complain
- Department of community development, City of Bozeman
- Nuisance abatement charges
- 25 percent overhead plus $200.00 civil penalty
- Municipal infraction, first violation
- Civil penalty of not more than $300.00
- Municipal infraction, repeat violation
- Civil penalty not to exceed $500.00
- General Code penalty
- Fine up to $500.00 or up to six months, or both
- Burden of proof
- Clear and convincing evidence
Summary
In the City of Bozeman, Montana, the code allows the city to declare a place a public nuisance for repeated disruption such as public drunkenness, drinking in public, loud noises and illegal parking, and for fire hazards, attractive nuisances and chapter 8 animal violations. Complaints go to the department of community development, which inspects.
B.The following may be declared to be public nuisances:1.Any condition which constitutes an attractive nuisance whether within a structure or on the premises.2.Any building or place which has been operated or maintained in a manner that has resulted in repeated disruptive activities including, but not limited to, disturbances of the peace, public drunkenness, drinking in public, harassment of passersby, sale of stolen goods, public urination, theft, assaults, batteries, acts of vandalism, excessive littering, illegal parking, loud noises (particularly in late night or early morning hours), traffic violations, or police detentions and arrests. ... 4.Any condition which poses a fire hazard.5.Any condition in violation of chapter 8 (Animals).
Full Breakdown
Section 16.02.050(B) of the Bozeman Municipal Code lists conditions the city can declare to be public nuisances. They include an attractive nuisance within a structure or on the premises, a fire hazard, and any condition in violation of chapter 8 (Animals). The longest item covers any building or place operated or maintained so as to produce repeated disruptive activities: disturbances of the peace, public drunkenness, drinking in public, harassment of passersby, sale of stolen goods, public urination, theft, assaults, batteries, acts of vandalism, excessive littering, illegal parking, loud noises (particularly in late night or early morning hours), traffic violations, or police detentions and arrests.
The same subsection reaches conditions rendering air, food or drink unwholesome, unsanitary or detrimental to health, and kennels without proper provisions against odor and sound. It also reaches accumulations of personal property on the premises for an unreasonable period of time, including abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles, appliances, furniture, scrap metal, building materials, junk, rubbish and debris, when within view of adjacent property or the public right-of-way. Building materials for a project with a building permit can be stored as long as needed to complete the project expeditiously.
Reporting starts with a complaint to the department of community development, which has primary responsibility under section 16.02.060 and must promptly inspect the property under section 16.02.070. If it finds a nuisance, notice goes to the owner and any lienholder, who can demand a hearing before the city commission within seven calendar days.
Separately, a violation the Code specifically declares a municipal infraction is handled by civil citation under chapter 24, article 2. There the city must prove the infraction by clear and convincing evidence, and civil penalties up to $3,000.00 in total are tried in municipal court like a small claim.
Violations & Fines
When the city abates a nuisance, the owner owes the expense plus a 25 percent overhead charge and a $200.00 civil penalty for each nuisance abated (section 16.02.140). A municipal infraction carries a civil penalty of not more than $300.00 for a first violation and not to exceed $500.00 for each repeat violation (section 24.02.040). Other Code violations are misdemeanors with a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both, under section 1.01.210.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can the City of Bozeman declare a public nuisance?
Who receives nuisance complaints in Bozeman?
What does a Bozeman municipal infraction citation cost?
Do repeated disturbances at one address count as a violation in Bozeman?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bozeman
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