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 City Code Sec. 24-352 prohibits any driver or occupant from operating a vehicle sound amplification system so that the sound is plainly audible at 50 feet or more, with limited exemptions (emergency, utility, or permitted vehicles) under Sec. 24-353. Across all of Yellowstone County, state law applies: MCA 61-9-403 requires a muffler in good working order to prevent excessive or unusual noise and bans muffler cutouts, while MCA 61-9-435 prohibits operating a vehicle whose exhaust emits noise over 95 decibels (SAE J1169). Motorcycles must also meet MCA 61-9-418 noise-suppression rules.
Car-stereo violations are municipal misdemeanors in Billings; muffler and exhaust-noise violations are enforced statewide as motor-vehicle offenses under Title 61.
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