Outdoor Lighting in Yellowstone County, MT (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yellowstone County, Montana.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Yellowstone County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dark Sky Rules

In unincorporated Yellowstone County, industrial development within 50 feet of a residential zoning district must shield every outdoor light fixture with a full cutoff shield so no light escapes below it, and keep light poles at 15 feet or less. The Yellowstone County Zoning Code enforces this under Section 27-602.F.2 to stop industrial glare from spilling into neighborhood districts.

Full Cutoff Lighting Rule in Yellowstone County

Some Restrictions

Yellowstone County Zoning Code, § 27-602.F.2

F. INDUSTRIAL USES LOCATED ADJACENT TO NEIGHBORHOOD AND RESIDENTIAL USES. All industrial districts and uses located within 50 feet of any neighborhood residential zoning district, including a planned development that allows residential use, shall comply with these site development standards: ... 2. All outdoor lighting, with the exception of signage, shall have full cutoff shields so no part of...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Billboard Lighting

Billboard lighting in unincorporated Yellowstone County must follow the countywide sign illumination standard: no light source visible from a street right-of-way, no hazardous or distracting glare, shielded external fixtures, and mandatory automatic dimming on any electronic display face.

Billboard Lighting Standards in Yellowstone County, MT

Some Restrictions

Yellowstone County Zoning Code § 27-1409(C)(1); § 27-1406(A)

C. LIGHTING AND DISPLAY 1. Static lighting shall comply with subsection 27-1406.A or the EMD provisions in this section. ... A. ILLUMINATION FOR NON-ELECTRONIC MESSAGE DISPLAYS 1. Intent Light sources to illuminate signs shall neither be visible from any street right-of-way, nor cause glare which is hazardous or distracting to pedestrians, vehicle drivers, or adjacent properties. 2. External Il...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Lighting by City in Yellowstone County

1 cities in Yellowstone County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

BillingsPop. 117,116

2 verified rules • Billboard Lighting, Light Trespass & Shielding

All Yellowstone County ordinances

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