Billings, MT Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Billings, MT, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Private tree removal
- No permit required
- Hazardous trees
- City can order removal
- If city removes it
- Cost + 25% admin fee
- Public trees
- Removal without authorization banned
- Citation
- Sec. 25-209 / 25-211
Summary
Billings has no general permit for removing trees on private property, but the city can declare a tree a public nuisance if it's dangerous or unsafe and order the owner to remove it at their expense plus a 25 percent administrative fee.
If any part or the whole of any tree growing on private premises, streets, alleys, boulevards, or other public ways shall be found after inspection to be dangerous or unsafe or to otherwise constitute a public hazard or nuisance, the city may declare such tree or portion thereof a public nuisance, order the property owner to abate the nuisance or cause such nuisance to be abated in accordance with the provisions of section 25-210. In addition to the costs of removal the property owner or person in control of the property shall pay to the city an administrative cost equal to an additional twenty-five (25) percent of the actual costs and expenses of removing the nuisance.
(Code 1967, § 14.01.130)
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
Billings' code doesn't require a permit to voluntarily remove a tree you own. Instead, Sec. 25-209 lets the city inspect any tree on private premises, streets, alleys, boulevards or other public ways and declare it a public nuisance if it's dangerous, unsafe, or hazardous, then order the property owner to abate it. If the city ends up removing it, the owner pays the removal cost plus a 25 percent administrative surcharge. Separately, Sec. 25-211 bars anyone from cutting, damaging or removing trees on city parks, cemeteries or other public property without city authorization.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a city abatement order lets the city remove the hazardous tree itself and bill the owner the full removal cost plus a 25 percent administrative charge; violating the article generally is punishable under Sec. 1-110.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my own property in Billings?
What happens if the city declares my tree a hazard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Billings
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