Animal Ordinances in Yellowstone County, MT (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yellowstone County, Montana.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Unincorporated Yellowstone County lets residents keep backyard chickens and other livestock under Section 27-1008, but the allowance scales with lot size: on 2.5 acres or less, the code allows one livestock or fowl unit per 20,000 square feet devoted to the animals, and hens, roosters or ducks count as 0.25 units each. Coops and barns must sit 50 feet from every property line and 50 feet from any dwelling.
Chicken and Livestock Keeping Rules in Yellowstone County
Some RestrictionsYellowstone County Zoning Code § 27-1008.A
A. LIVESTOCK AND FOWL 1. Where Permitted Livestock may be maintained in any zoning district as provided in Table 27-1000.3. ... 3. Use Standards (a) Livestock and/or fowl are permitted on lots that are 2.5 net acres or less in size provided that all of the following regulations are satisfied. (1) One livestock and/or fowl unit is allowed per 20,000 square feet of land devoted exclusively to the...
Pet Groomer Rules
Yellowstone County's zoning code will not approve pet grooming, breeding, or boarding as a home occupation anywhere in the unincorporated county. Section 27-1009.M.4(e) lists 'uses involving the grooming, breeding, or boarding of animals' among the home-based businesses the Planning Division rejects outright.
Home Pet Grooming Ban in Yellowstone County
Significant RestrictionsYellowstone County Zoning Code § 27-1009.M.4(e)
4. Prohibited Uses The following types of uses will not be approved as home occupations: (a) Uses involving large or oversized goods or materials; ... (e) Uses involving the grooming, breeding, or boarding of animals.
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
A veterinary clinic or hospital with outdoor boarding facilities in unincorporated Yellowstone County may only be sited in the CX, C3, I1, or I2 zone districts, and any outdoor runs or exercise areas must be fully enclosed by a sight-obscuring fence. Staff must accompany every boarded or treated animal at all times while it is outdoors, and outdoor use countywide is limited to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Veterinary Clinic Outdoor Rules in Yellowstone County
Some RestrictionsYellowstone County Zoning Code § 27-1005.D.1, D.3
Any outdoor activity areas such as kennels, runs, or exercise areas shall be subject to the following: 1. General Requirements The facilities shall: (a) Only be used between the hours of 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, and (b) Be located at least 25 feet from any residential district. ... 3. Veterinary Services (with Boarding) Small Animal Veterinary clinics or hospitals in the CX, C3, I1, and I2 distric...
Animal Ordinances by City in Yellowstone County
1 cities in Yellowstone County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Yellowstone County ordinances
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