Billings, MT Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Height trigger
- over 12 inches
- Required cut height
- 4 inches or less
- Compliance deadline
- April 30 annually
- Maintain clear through
- September 30
- Repeat penalty
- $25/$50/$75 per cutting
Summary
Billings requires property owners to cut weeds and untended vegetation over 12 inches down to 4 inches, citing fire hazard as a trigger.
Nuisance weeds means: (1) All weeds, grasses, noxious weeds, and untended vegetation growing in excess of twelve (12) inches in height located on any premises in the city; (2) Any other untended vegetation creating a potential fire hazard... It shall be the duty of every owner of a developed parcel to cut, or remove...all nuisance weeds in excess of twelve (12) inches in height growing thereon...to a height of four (4) inches or less.
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
City Code Ch. 25, Art. 25-300 defines "nuisance weeds" as any weeds, grasses, or untended vegetation over 12 inches tall, or any vegetation creating a potential fire hazard. Every owner of a developed parcel must cut or remove nuisance weeds on their property and the abutting half of any road, street, or alley down to 4 inches or less; undeveloped-parcel owners within 150 feet of a developed parcel, road, or park have the same duty. The city publishes an annual notice each spring setting an April 30 compliance deadline, maintained through September 30.
Violations & Fines
City can cut the weeds itself and bill the owner: cost plus 25% admin fee, plus $25/$50/$75 penalty for the 1st/2nd/3rd+ cutting per year, all as a lien on the property (Sec. 25-303, 25-304, 25-307). Violations are municipal infractions under Sec. 25-306.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Billings require brush clearance for fire hazard reasons?
What happens if I ignore a Billings weed notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Billings
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