9 rules for unincorporated Yellowstone County, Montana.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Yellowstone County sets no general lawn-height rule; that is a city matter. Inside Billings, weeds, grass, and untended vegetation may not exceed twelve inches (12") in height from April 30 through September 30.
Unincorporated Yellowstone County sets no tree-trimming ordinance for private yard trees. In the City of Billings, pruning a boulevard tree in the public strip between sidewalk and street requires a permit from City Engineering.
Unincorporated Yellowstone County has no permit requirement to remove a private tree. In the City of Billings, removing a public boulevard tree (in the strip between sidewalk and street) requires a City permit.
Montana law makes noxious-weed control MANDATORY for every landowner. State statute makes it unlawful to let a noxious weed go to seed on your land, and the Yellowstone County Weed District administers and enforces control countywide.
MCA 7-22-2116(1)
It is unlawful for any person to permit any noxious weed to propagate or go to seed on the person's land.
Unincorporated Yellowstone County imposes no standing lawn-watering rule. The City of Billings enacts temporary Stage 1 restrictions during peak demand, typically banning lawn watering all day on Mondays; well-water users are exempt.
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Montana and encouraged. Yellowstone County has no ordinance restricting rain barrels. Rooftop collection for outdoor landscape use is allowed without a water right; large systems should be cleared with the state DNRC.
Yellowstone County does not require or prohibit native-plant landscaping. Residents may plant Montana natives and drought-tolerant xeriscape freely, provided any designated noxious weeds are still controlled as state law requires.
Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning or requiring a permit for artificial turf on residential lawns. Homeowners may install synthetic grass; HOA covenants and, inside Billings, any drainage or zoning standards may still apply.
Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning backyard composting. Residents may compost yard and food waste; keep piles from becoming a rodent, odor, or vector nuisance. RiverStone Health oversees general sanitation and vector concerns.
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