7 rules for unincorporated Yellowstone County, Montana.
Verified from official government sources
In the zoned 4.5-mile fringe around Billings (governed by the unified Chapter 27 zoning code), fences up to 3 feet are allowed in the required front-yard setback and up to 6 feet elsewhere. Over 6 feet must meet structure setbacks. Truly rural, unzoned county land has no county fence-height rule.
Billings/Yellowstone County Zoning Code Sec. 27-604
Fences, walls or hedges of up to three (3) feet may be erected or maintained in the required front yard setback... and any fence, wall or hedge in excess of six (6) feet shall meet all of the yard setback requirements for structures.
In the zoned Billings jurisdictional area, fences between 3 and 6 feet need a Planning Department permit (no building permit); fences over 7 feet need a building permit and 105-mph wind design. Rural unzoned county land has no county fence-permit requirement.
City of Billings Planning — Fence & Retaining Wall requirements
Fences between three (3) and six (6) feet in height do not require a building permit but require a permit from the Planning Department. Fences exceeding seven (7) feet in height require a building permit and shall be designed for a 105 MPH wind load per the adopted codes.
The county's zoning code requires fences to stand within your own lot lines, but Montana leaves cost-sharing and boundary-fence disputes to state law and neighbors — the county does not adjudicate who pays for a shared fence.
In the zoned Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction, retaining walls over 4 feet tall — or any wall with a surcharge or slope — require a building permit and must be designed by a Montana-licensed engineer. Walls 4 feet or higher are also reviewed for zoning conformance.
City of Billings Planning — Retaining Wall requirements
Retaining walls exceeding a height of four (4) feet, or any retaining wall with a surcharge or slope, require a building permit and shall be designed by a Montana licensed Engineer with a wet stamp and wet signature.
In the zoned Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction, fences must stay within your lot lines, honor the 3-foot front-yard and 6-foot general height limits, keep clear-vision triangles at corners below 30 inches, and get a Planning permit at 3–6 feet. Rural unzoned land is unregulated.
Most residential zones in the Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction allow common fencing but forbid barbed and razor wire in front and near dwellings. In special overlay districts (EBURD), barbed wire, chain link, exposed block, metal mesh and razor wire are prohibited except in industrial-sanctuary areas.
Billings/Yellowstone County Zoning Code Sec. 27-900 (EBURD fences and walls)
Permitted materials. Brick; stone; cast stone; wood; painted, matte finish vinyl; wood composites; or steel are permitted fence and wall materials. Prohibited materials. Barbed wire, chain link, exposed cinder or concrete block, metal mesh, and razor wire and single wire fences and wall are prohibited.
Standard residential zones in the Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction allow common wood, vinyl, chain-link and masonry fencing within the height and clear-vision limits. Overlay districts (EBURD) specifically permit brick, stone, wood, painted matte vinyl, wood composites and steel.
Billings/Yellowstone County Zoning Code Sec. 27-900 (EBURD fences and walls)
The maximum height of any fence or wall shall be six (6) feet... Fences over four (4) feet in height are not permitted in the front yard... Fences along the front yard or front lot line shall have a maximum opacity of fifty (50) percent.
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