Billings, MT Environmental Rules: Flood Elevation Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Freeboard
- 2 feet above BFE
- Applies to
- New builds, substantial improvements
- Enforcement
- Floodplain administrator
- Permit required
- Yes, before development
- Violation
- Misdemeanor, per-day offense
Summary
Billings requires new and substantially improved buildings in the regulated flood hazard area to elevate the lowest floor at least two feet above the base flood elevation, engineer-certified.
Elevation. The lowest floor elevation (including basement) must be two (2) feet above the base flood elevation. A determination of the base flood elevation shall be certified by an engineer. Elevating may be by either suitable fill, stem walls, pilings or other acceptable means
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 66 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Under the Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations, the lowest floor elevation of new construction and substantial improvements -- including basements -- must sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation (BFE), a two-foot freeboard margin above FEMA's minimum. Builders may reach that elevation with fill, stem walls, pilings, or other acceptable means, and an engineer must certify the BFE determination. Non-residential buildings may instead be dry floodproofed to the same two-foot-above-BFE elevation. A floodplain permit from the floodplain administrator is required before any development.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor; violating property is treated as a public nuisance; each day of violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far above base flood elevation must a Billings home be built?
Who certifies the base flood elevation in Billings?
Sources & Official References
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