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Billings, MT Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Billings, MT, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Permit required: for fill, structures, obstructions
Administered by: city floodplain administrator
Review timeline: 60 days for complete application
Base flood elevation rise allowed: 0.00 ft in floodway
Penalty: misdemeanor, daily separate offense

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Billings, MT.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Billings, MT on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

Billings requires a floodplain permit before any fill, structure, or artificial obstruction is placed in a mapped flood hazard area, administered under the city's Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations tied to FEMA and DNRC flood maps.

A permit is required within the regulated flood hazard area for a person to establish or alter an artificial obstruction, nonconforming use or development... Artificial obstructions and nonconforming uses in a regulated flood hazard area not exempt under subsections 6-1661(a) and 6-1662(a) are public nuisances unless a floodplain permit has been obtained.

Source: Billings Public WorksView official code

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 Billings Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations (Art. 6-1600), the building official acts as floodplain administrator over the regulated flood hazard areas mapped in the Yellowstone County Flood Insurance Study (effective November 6, 2013). A permit is required to establish or alter any artificial obstruction, nonconforming use, or development in these areas, including fill, grading, and new or substantially improved structures. Unpermitted obstructions in the flood hazard area are treated as public nuisances, and applications undergo notice, a 60-day review, and engineering analysis showing no net rise in base flood elevation.

Violations & Fines

Violating the regulations or failing to obtain permit approval before development in the regulated flood hazard area is a misdemeanor and may be treated as a public nuisance; each day the violation continues is a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build in a Billings flood zone?

Yes. Any artificial obstruction, fill, or development in the regulated flood hazard area needs a floodplain permit from the city's floodplain administrator first.

What happens without a floodplain permit?

The structure is a public nuisance and the violation is a misdemeanor, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate offense.

Sources & Official References

[1]Billings Municipal Code Art. 6-1600, Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations

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All Billings rules

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