Yellowstone County, MT Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front-yard setback max
- 3 feet
- Outside front setback
- up to 6 feet
- Over 6 feet
- must meet structure setbacks
- Clear-vision zone
- 30 inches max
- Rural unzoned land
- no county height rule
Summary
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.
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.
Full Breakdown
Yellowstone County zones the unincorporated area within 4.5 miles of Billings under the joint Billings/Yellowstone County zoning code (Chapter 27). Section 27-604 sets a 3-foot maximum in the required front-yard setback, allows fences, walls or hedges between 3 and 6 feet outside that setback, and requires any fence over 6 feet to meet the district's structure yard setbacks. Within a clear-vision zone at intersections, nothing over 30 inches is allowed (Sec. 27-604(d), 27-615). Where a rural parcel lies in no adopted zoning district, the county sets no fence-height standard: no permit or limit applies there.
Violations & Fines
Zoning violations in the jurisdictional area are enforced by the City-County Planning Department; noncompliant fences may be ordered removed or brought into conformance. Contact Planning at (406) 657-8247.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall a fence can I build in the Billings fringe?
Does the height limit apply on rural county land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yellowstone County
How Yellowstone County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Yellowstone County to another location·View the Montana fence regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.