Huntley, MT

The county's zoning code requires fences to stand within your own lot lines, but Montana leaves cost-sharing and boundary-fence disputes to state law and neighbors — the county does not adjudicate who pays for a shared fence.

Most residential zones in the Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction allow common fencing but forbid barbed and razor wire in front and near dwellings. In special overlay districts (EBURD), barbed wire, chain link, exposed block, metal mesh and razor wire are prohibited except…

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.

In the zoned Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction, fences must stay within your lot lines, honor the 3-foot front-yard and 6-foot general height limits, keep clear-vision triangles at corners below 30 inches, and get a Planning permit at 3–6 feet. Rural unzoned land is…

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…

In the zoned Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction, retaining walls over 4 feet tall — or any wall with a surcharge or slope — require a building permit and must be designed by a Montana-licensed engineer. Walls 4 feet or higher are also reviewed for zoning conformance.

Standard residential zones in the Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction allow common wood, vinyl, chain-link and masonry fencing within the height and clear-vision limits. Overlay districts (EBURD) specifically permit brick, stone, wood, painted matte vinyl, wood composites…

Storage of oversized vehicles—large RVs, semis, heavy equipment—is regulated under the county zoning and property-maintenance standards in the Billings-fringe jurisdiction. On unzoned rural land the county sets no size limit, though junk/inoperable units still fall under the…

Painted curbs (red no-parking, yellow loading, etc.) are official traffic-control markings placed only by the road authority—not by residents. Rural county roads generally have no painted curbs; where markings exist, they are set by the city road authority under state law.

Yellowstone County runs the state Junk Vehicle Program and enforces its Community Decay Ordinance. Every junk vehicle, regardless of number, must be shielded from public view. Vehicles left too long on public property are treated as abandoned under MCA 61-8-356.

Yellowstone County has no ordinance requiring or restricting home EV chargers, and Montana has not enacted a statewide "right-to-charge" law. Installing a home charger follows the state electrical code and any local building-permit requirement—not a county parking rule.

In the county's zoning jurisdiction (within 4.5 miles of Billings), storage and parking of RVs, boats, and trailers is regulated as part of general property maintenance and zoning standards. Outside a zoning district, the county sets no rule—your city or township does.

Montana law sets the county's overnight backstop: a vehicle may not be left on a public highway right-of-way longer than 48 hours, or on county, city, or state property longer than 5 days. Beyond that it can be treated as abandoned.

Yellowstone County has no general on-street parking meter or permit ordinance for its rural roads. Statewide rules (MCA 61-8) govern how and where you may stop on a public highway; municipal on-street rules apply only inside Billings and Laurel.

Within the county zoning jurisdiction (~4.5 miles of Billings), parking and storage of vehicles is regulated under the zoning code and property-maintenance standards, which can limit commercial vehicles in residential districts. Rural parcels outside a zoning district have no…

Within the county zoning jurisdiction near Billings, off-street parking and driveway placement fall under zoning and setback standards. Approaches connecting to a county road need county Public Works/road approval. Rural parcels outside a zoning district face no county…

Designated loading zones are an urban curb-management tool; Yellowstone County does not establish loading zones on its rural roads. Where they exist, they are set by the cities of Billings or Laurel by ordinance. State law lets local authorities post traffic-control devices…

In Billings, keeping any animal that unreasonably annoys people by continuous and habitual barking, howling, yelping, or whining is a public nuisance and a misdemeanor. Unincorporated Yellowstone County handles habitual barking through county animal control and Montana's…

In Billings, a car sound system may not be operated so it is plainly audible 50 feet or more from the vehicle (Sec. 24-352). Statewide, Montana requires every motor vehicle to have a working muffler and bars exhaust noise over 95 decibels (MCA 61-9-403, 61-9-435).

Billings caps industrial-district noise at 90 dB(A), heavy commercial at 85 dB(A), and light commercial at 80 dB(A), measured at 25 feet or the lot line. Noise from production, processing, servicing, testing, and repair counts. At zone boundaries the lower limit applies.

Unincorporated Yellowstone County sets no numeric quiet-hours ordinance; your city governs. In Billings (the county seat), maximum noise levels drop to nighttime limits between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. As a rule, avoid noise likely to draw a complaint during those hours.

Billings sets no leaf-blower ban. Grounds-maintenance noise, including leaf blowers and mowers, is exempt from decibel limits between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Motorized lawnmowers fitted with equipment-type mufflers are specifically exempt in those hours. No separate county…

Billings measures noise at 25 feet from the source (or the lot line) and sets maximum dB(A) by district: residential 65 day / 55 night, light commercial 80, heavy commercial 85, industrial 90. Exceeding the limit is prima facie a public nuisance. Unincorporated county land has…

Yellowstone County sets no county-wide construction-hours noise rule. In Billings, noise from home or building repair, construction, or grounds maintenance is fully exempt from decibel limits between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Outside that window, construction must meet standard…

Billings has no separate amplified-music curfew, but loud amplified sound that disturbs a neighborhood is unlawful under the general prohibition, and radiating sound above the district decibel limits is prima facie a public nuisance. Special events over the limit require a city…

Outdoor music in Billings must stay within the district decibel limits and the general noise prohibition. Permitted events in stadiums or parks, and special events, are exempt only if a city waiver has been granted. Unincorporated Yellowstone County sets no outdoor-music…

Aircraft noise is regulated by the FAA, not by Yellowstone County or Billings. Billings Logan International Airport (KBIL), city-owned and located in Yellowstone County atop the Rims, follows FAA-established noise-abatement procedures. Neither the county nor city sets an…

Yellowstone County has no dedicated short-term rental permit for unincorporated areas. County zoning (within 4.5 miles of Billings) regulates land use, not STRs specifically. Inside Billings, the city requires a short-term rental permit. All Montana STRs need a state lodging tax…

Montana charges an 8% lodging facility sales and use tax (4% use tax plus 4% sales tax) on rentals under 30 days. This statewide tax applies across Yellowstone County. Yellowstone County levies no separate county-wide lodging or resort tax.

Yellowstone County has no STR-specific noise ordinance; general nuisance and disturbance rules apply. Inside Billings, STR permit holders must acknowledge and follow the City of Billings noise regulations and are barred from renting for large parties or gatherings.

Yellowstone County imposes no annual night cap on short-term rentals. The City of Billings does not cap the number of rental nights either; instead it limits STRs to one permit per dwelling and requires the stay to be under 30 days to qualify as short-term.

There is no county-level STR registration in unincorporated Yellowstone County. Every Montana short-term rental must register with the Montana Department of Revenue for the lodging tax. Rentals inside Billings must also register for the city STR permit and business license.

Yellowstone County sets no STR-specific parking rule, but its zoning within 4.5 miles of Billings regulates the storage and parking of vehicles generally. Inside Billings, STR permit conditions and city zoning govern guest parking. Rural parcels outside zoning may have no…

Yellowstone County has no host-presence requirement for short-term rentals. The City of Billings does not require the owner on-site but does require a designated local contact person — not a corporation — who can respond to complaints or issues at the property.

Yellowstone County sets no short-term rental occupancy cap for unincorporated areas. Occupancy in the county zoning area is governed by general building and land-use standards. Inside Billings, the city STR permit limits one permit per dwelling and applies its dwelling occupancy…

Yellowstone County imposes no primary-residence requirement on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. The City of Billings permits both owner-occupied guest homes and non-owner-occupied tourist homes, so a primary-residence limit is not a countywide rule.

Yellowstone County has no STR insurance mandate for unincorporated areas. The City of Billings requires STR applicants to acknowledge that the property meets safety requirements, but no specific liability-insurance minimum is set in county code; carrying STR coverage is strongly…

Consumer fireworks are legal in Montana within statutory windows. State law limits retail sale to June 24-July 5 and December 29-31; discharge tracks those dates. Yellowstone County can further restrict or ban fireworks under fire restrictions, which it does in dry years.

Open burning of natural vegetation is allowed year-round in Yellowstone County but requires a burn permit from County Disaster & Emergency Services. Permits cost $8 the first year and $5 to renew, must be activated daily, and burning is only allowed sunrise to sunset.

A recreational or cooking fire pit needs no burn permit in Yellowstone County if it is 48 inches or less in diameter and used only to cook food or recreationally. Only natural vegetation and clean fuel may be burned; no permit exemption applies to burning waste.

Small recreational backyard fires are allowed without a permit in Yellowstone County if the fire pit is 48 inches or less and used only for cooking or recreation. Burn only natural vegetation, never leave the fire unattended, and stop when fire restrictions are in effect.

Yellowstone County has no California-style mapped wildfire hazard zones, but commissioners impose Stage 1 and Stage 2 fire restrictions in dry, high-danger periods. Stage 1 bans open fires and fireworks and limits smoking; only propane/LP-gas devices that turn on and off stay…

Montana law makes landowners legally responsible for controlling noxious weeds and brush on their property. It is unlawful to let noxious weeds propagate or go to seed. Yellowstone County's Weed Department enforces the County Noxious Weed Management Act and can compel control.

Yellowstone County follows Montana's adopted International Fire Code (2021) for propane and LP-gas storage. The code limits LP-gas container sizes, storage locations and quantities. There is no unique county propane ordinance; state fire-code and NFPA 58 standards govern tanks…

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.

RiverStone Health inspectors verify that public pools in Yellowstone County correctly test disinfectant levels and have proper safety equipment and signs to prevent injury or drowning. Residential pools rely on the ISPSC barrier as the core safety control.

Under Montana's adopted ISPSC, a residential spa or hot tub is exempt from the pool barrier requirement if it is equipped with a lockable safety cover meeting ASTM F1346. Public spas are licensed and inspected by RiverStone Health.

Montana adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Under it, a residential pool, hot tub, or spa must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches tall for the entire perimeter, with gates that swing outward and self-close and self-latch.

Public and semi-public pools and spas in Yellowstone County must be licensed and inspected by RiverStone Health before opening. Residential in-ground pools on unincorporated land need a building permit under the adopted code; inside Billings or Laurel, apply to that city instead.

Under Montana's adopted ISPSC, an above-ground pool wall can serve as the required barrier only if it is at least 48 inches above grade around the whole pool and the ladder or steps can be secured, locked, or removed to prevent access.

In Yellowstone County zoning districts, a home occupation must stay within the home or an accessory building, use no more than 25 percent of one story, employ only immediate family, and create no noise, vibration, glare, fumes, or odors off the premises. A permit application is…

A family day care home in Yellowstone County zoning districts is a permitted use in residential zones and cares for up to six children; a group day care home covers seven to twelve. Both must be licensed by the State of Montana. Larger operations are day care centers.

Where county zoning applies (such as the Laurel-Yellowstone County jurisdictional area and other adopted districts), a home occupation is a permitted accessory use in residential districts if it stays incidental to the home. Much rural unincorporated land has no zoning, so no…

Montana lets you sell non-potentially-hazardous homemade foods without a food license. Under MCA 50-50-117 you must register your cottage food operation with the local health authority - RiverStone Health in Yellowstone County - and list your products. Sales must be direct to…

In Yellowstone County zoning districts, a home occupation may display no illuminated sign, and only one non-illuminated sign giving the name and occupation, not more than one square foot in area. Larger or lit signs are not allowed for a home business.

Yellowstone County has adopted a Dog Ordinance under Montana law that restrains dogs from running at large. Dogs picked up by the Sheriff are held 72 hours, then put up for adoption. Report strays to YCSO non-emergency: 406-657-8200.

Yellowstone County sets no beekeeping ordinance in the rural unincorporated county. Beekeeping is governed statewide: hobbyist apiary sites (up to 10 hives) may register with the Montana Department of Agriculture under MCA 80-6-114. Cities like Billings may add local hive rules.

Outside a zoning district, unincorporated Yellowstone County sets no chicken or hen limit and permits livestock under Montana's right-to-farm tradition. Within the county's zoning jurisdiction (about 4.5 miles of Billings), the agricultural-open space zone caps livestock at two…

Exotic-pet rules in Yellowstone County are set by Montana state law, not the county. The Fish and Wildlife Commission maintains lists of controlled and prohibited exotic wildlife; species on the prohibited list may not be imported, possessed, or sold. Menageries and zoos need…

Yellowstone County's animal ordinances focus on dogs; there is no county at-large or licensing rule for cats in unincorporated areas. Cats are covered mainly by Montana cruelty law and the state rabies program, which requires quarantine of an unvaccinated cat that bites a person.

Yellowstone County does not ban specific dog breeds. Instead, Montana law lets the county control any 'vicious dog' by ordinance, defined by behavior, not breed. A dog that bites or attacks may be regulated, quarantined, or destroyed regardless of breed.

In most of unincorporated Yellowstone County, livestock is not capped by the county under Montana's right-to-farm tradition. Only within the county zoning jurisdiction near Billings does the agricultural-open space zone limit livestock to two units per acre.

Feeding game wildlife such as deer, elk, and bears is regulated statewide by Montana FWP, not by a county ordinance. Attracting big game or predators with food is prohibited under state rule. (These are Montana rules for the county, not Yellowstone National Park's federal rules.)

Unincorporated Yellowstone County sets no hard numeric limit on how many dogs or cats you may own. The county controls animals through its Dog Ordinance, nuisance rules, and Montana cruelty law rather than a per-household pet cap. Cities like Billings may impose their own limits.

Animal hoarding in Yellowstone County is prosecuted under Montana state cruelty law, not a county ordinance. Cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor; inflicting cruelty on a collection or herd of 10 or more animals is aggravated animal cruelty, a felony-level offense.

Unincorporated Yellowstone County has no permit requirement to remove a private tree. In the City of Billings, removing a public boulevard tree (in the strip between sidewalk and street) requires a City permit.

Unincorporated Yellowstone County imposes no standing lawn-watering rule. The City of Billings enacts temporary Stage 1 restrictions during peak demand, typically banning lawn watering all day on Mondays; well-water users are exempt.

Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning or requiring a permit for artificial turf on residential lawns. Homeowners may install synthetic grass; HOA covenants and, inside Billings, any drainage or zoning standards may still apply.

Unincorporated Yellowstone County sets no general lawn-height rule; that is a city matter. Inside Billings, weeds, grass, and untended vegetation may not exceed twelve inches (12") in height from April 30 through September 30.

Rainwater harvesting is legal in Montana and encouraged. Yellowstone County has no ordinance restricting rain barrels. Rooftop collection for outdoor landscape use is allowed without a water right; large systems should be cleared with the state DNRC.

Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning backyard composting. Residents may compost yard and food waste; keep piles from becoming a rodent, odor, or vector nuisance. RiverStone Health oversees general sanitation and vector concerns.

Unincorporated Yellowstone County sets no tree-trimming ordinance for private yard trees. In the City of Billings, pruning a boulevard tree in the public strip between sidewalk and street requires a permit from City Engineering.

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 Yellowstone County Weed District administers and enforces control countywide.

Yellowstone County does not require or prohibit native-plant landscaping. Residents may plant Montana natives and drought-tolerant xeriscape freely, provided any designated noxious weeds are still controlled as state law requires.

Yellowstone County's zoning ordinance has no separate carport standard; a carport is treated as an accessory building. In the zoning area around Billings that means rear-yard placement with at least a two-foot setback from lot lines and alley. On unzoned rural county land the…

Yellowstone County has no tiny-home ordinance. In the zoning area around Billings, a tiny house on a foundation is a dwelling and must meet the district's setback and lot-size rules; a tiny house on wheels is treated like an RV. Rural unzoned land sets no rule.

In the county zoning area, a "private garage" is defined as an accessory building used only for storing motor vehicles. Converting it to a habitable rental unit creates a separate dwelling not authorized as an accessory use, and needs district, building and septic approval…

In Yellowstone County's zoning area around Billings, "accessory living quarters" (guest houses) are allowed within an accessory building but may have no kitchen and may not be rented as a separate dwelling. A full second dwelling depends on the zoning district. Rural unzoned…

In the county zoning area around Billings, accessory buildings such as sheds must sit in the rear yard, at least two feet from the rear or side lot line and two feet from any alley. Buildings housing animals need at least five feet. Rural unzoned land sets no rule.

Backyard smokers follow the same Montana fire-code rules as grills. Charcoal and open-flame cooking devices cannot operate on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Single-family homes are excepted, but during fire restrictions open-flame cooking…

Yellowstone County follows Montana's adopted International Fire Code for grilling. Charcoal and open-flame grills may not be used on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction. Small LP-gas grills (container 2.5 lb or less) are exempted; sprinklered…

In the zoned Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction, maximum building coverage is set by district. The N1 residential district caps building coverage at 60 percent, while light industrial (I1) allows up to 75 percent. Rural unzoned county land has no county lot-coverage rule.

In the zoned Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction, setbacks are set by district. The N1 residential district requires a front build-to zone of 8–25 feet, a 5-foot minimum side setback, and a 5-foot minimum rear setback. Rural unzoned county land has no county setback rule.

In the zoned Billings/Yellowstone County jurisdiction, height caps are set by district. The N1 residential district limits a principal building to 2.5 stories / 34 feet and accessory buildings to 2 stories / 27 feet. Industrial districts allow up to 70 feet. Rural unzoned land…

No permit is needed to remove a private tree in unincorporated Yellowstone County. Permits apply only to public 'boulevard' trees in the City of Billings, where planting, pruning, or removal in the public strip requires City Engineering approval.

Yellowstone County enforces a Community Decay Ordinance covering nuisance conditions visible from a public right-of-way, including inoperable/junk vehicles, vacant or abandoned buildings, and accumulated salvaged materials and debris. Enforcement is complaint-based; owners…

Vacant or abandoned buildings and accumulated debris on lots visible from a public right-of-way fall under Yellowstone County's Community Decay Ordinance. Owners of any land, occupied or not, also carry a mandatory duty to control noxious weeds under Montana law.

Yellowstone County sets no permit or frequency limit on residential garage sales in the unincorporated county. In Billings, the sale itself needs no permit, but garage-sale signs may not be placed on poles or the right-of-way and a temporary sign permit applies to…

Yellowstone County has no countywide rule forcing trash carts to be screened from view year-round; unincorporated storage is largely unregulated. In Billings, carts may not be stored on the street and should be kept off the public right-of-way except on collection day.

Montana law makes noxious-weed control mandatory: it is unlawful to let noxious weeds propagate or go to seed on your land. Yellowstone County's Weed District enforces this. There is no countywide turf-grass height limit; tall grass is a city matter in Billings.

Montana rules govern political signs statewide: they may be placed on private property only with the owner's permission, may not intrude into the public right-of-way or on public property, need no permit, and must be removed within 14 days after the election. The Montana DOT…

Yellowstone County has no dedicated garage-sale-sign ordinance. Signs may not be placed in or intrude into the public right-of-way and require the property owner's permission. Inside Billings the city sign code applies. Signs on state right-of-way are removed by the Montana DOT.

Yellowstone County has no dark-sky or outdoor-lighting ordinance for unincorporated land. County zoning near Billings limits glare that spills off a property (for example, home occupations may not create glare), but there is no shielding or lumen standard. Rural unzoned land…

Yellowstone County has no numeric light-trespass standard. In the zoning area, off-site glare can be limited (a home occupation may create none off-site) and nuisance law applies, but there is no county footcandle limit at the property line. Rural unzoned land sets no rule.

In Billings, garbage must be bagged, tied, and placed at the public right-of-way — crews cannot enter private property. Set garbage out by 6 a.m. on collection day; yard-waste carts by 7 a.m. Green bins may not be stored on the street. The unincorporated county sets no placement…

Montana law bans dumping garbage, dead animals, or refuse on roads, public property, within 200 yards of a public road, or on recreational private land without consent. Violators face absolute liability and civil penalties. Yellowstone County also cites accumulated debris under…

The City of Billings runs municipal curbside collection and the Billings Regional Landfill, which also serves county residents and regional haulers. Unincorporated Yellowstone County residents arrange service through private haulers or self-haul to the landfill; there is no…

Billings residents schedule special pickups for furniture, appliances, and large branches by calling Solid Waste. Special pickups run $60 to $180 depending on quantity, with a separate $87 fee per refrigerator/freezer/AC. Extra items are $5.50 each. County residents self-haul to…

Recycling is voluntary in Yellowstone County — there is no mandate to recycle. Billings offers voluntary curbside yard-waste collection (April-November) and drop-off recycling; the Billings Regional Landfill and private drop-offs take cardboard, paper, metal, electronics, and…

Under the Yellowstone County Parkland Ordinance, county parks close to public access one-half hour after sunset and open one-half hour before sunrise. No overnight camping is allowed. Violations are a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine, six months' jail, or both.