Montana law requires landlords to install an approved smoke detector (and carbon monoxide detector) in every rental dwelling unit and verify it works at move-in. Tenants must keep it working during the tenancy. New construction must meet the state-adopted International Fire Code.
Under the Montana Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a landlord 'shall install in each dwelling unit under the landlord's control an approved carbon monoxide detector...and an approved smoke detector' (MCA 70-24-303(1)(g)). The landlord must verify the detectors are in good working order when the rental begins, and the tenant must maintain them during the rental period. Detector installation follows Department of Justice rules (Mont. Admin. R. 23.12.406). For new and remodeled homes, Montana has adopted the International Fire Code (2021 edition) under ARM 23.12.601, which sets smoke-alarm placement in bedrooms, outside sleeping areas, and on each level. Yellowstone County follows these statewide requirements; it does not set a separate detector ordinance.
A landlord who fails to provide required detectors breaches statutory duties under the Landlord-Tenant Act; the landlord is not liable for damages from a detector's later failure once installed (70-24-303(5)).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Yellowstone County, MT
Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning backyard composting. Residents may compost yard and food waste; keep piles from becoming a rodent, odor, or vecto...
Yellowstone County, MT
Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning or requiring a permit for artificial turf on residential lawns. Homeowners may install synthetic grass; HOA coven...
Yellowstone County, MT
Yellowstone County does not require or prohibit native-plant landscaping. Residents may plant Montana natives and drought-tolerant xeriscape freely, provided...
Yellowstone County, MT
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Montana and encouraged. Yellowstone County has no ordinance restricting rain barrels. Rooftop collection for outdoor landsca...
Yellowstone County, MT
Unincorporated Yellowstone County imposes no standing lawn-watering rule. The City of Billings enacts temporary Stage 1 restrictions during peak demand, typi...
Yellowstone County, MT
Montana law makes noxious-weed control MANDATORY for every landowner. State statute makes it unlawful to let a noxious weed go to seed on your land, and the ...
See how Yellowstone County's smoke detectors rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.