In the zoned Billings jurisdictional area, fences between 3 and 6 feet need a Planning Department permit (no building permit); fences over 7 feet need a building permit and 105-mph wind design. Rural unzoned county land has no county fence-permit requirement.
Under the unified Billings/Yellowstone County zoning code, fences 3 to 6 feet tall do not require a building permit but do require a permit from the Planning Department at (406) 657-8247. Fences exceeding 7 feet require a building permit and must be designed for a 105-mph wind load per the adopted codes. Retaining walls over 4 feet (or any wall with a surcharge/slope) require a building permit and engineering. These requirements apply within the county's 4.5-mile zoning jurisdiction and inside Billings. On unincorporated county land that lies in no adopted zoning district, the county requires no fence permit.
Building a regulated fence without the required Planning or building permit is a zoning/building-code violation; the department may require a permit, correction, or removal. Enforcement is by City-County Planning and the Building Division.
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