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.
Under Billings City Code Sec. 17-103, industrial districts (industrial light and heavy) have an 90 dB(A) maximum, heavy commercial 85 dB(A), and light commercial 80 dB(A), applied both day and night. Sec. 17-103(b) states noise from 'production, processing, cleaning, servicing, testing and repair of vehicles, materials, goods or products' radiating above the district limit is prima facie evidence of a public nuisance. At boundaries between zones, the lower dB(A) level controls (Sec. 17-103(c)), protecting adjacent residential areas. Unincorporated Yellowstone County has no numeric industrial-noise ordinance; heavier operations there are governed by any applicable zoning district and state nuisance law.
Industrial noise above the district limit is prima facie a public nuisance and a misdemeanor under Sec. 1-110, abatable by injunction.
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