Billings, MT Parking Rules: Preferential Parking Districts (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- City council ordinance required
- Occupancy trigger
- 75%+ capacity at peak demand
- Non-resident threshold
- 35%+ vehicles non-resident owned
- Target occupancy
- 85% on-street, 90% off-street
- Enforcement
- Municipal infraction; boot at $50 unpaid
Summary
Billings can create parking permit districts that limit on-street and public off-street parking to permit holders in areas with heavy commuter demand, once the city council makes required occupancy findings under BMCC Sec. 24-452.
(b)Parking permit districts may be established by ordinance. The establishment of a parking permit district may include restrictions for parking on specific days or weeks during the year. The city council must make the following findings prior to establishment of the zone:(1)Seventy-five (75) percent or more of the capacity available for on-street parking and public off-street parking on six (6) contiguous blocks (and/or twelve (12) block faces) in such proposed district is generally occupied at the hour and day of peak observed demand;
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
Under BMCC Sec. 24-452, the city council may establish a parking permit district by ordinance once findings show 75 percent or more of on-street and public off-street capacity on six contiguous blocks is occupied at peak demand, and over 35 percent of parked vehicles belong to non-residents. Each district ordinance sets the permitted area, restricted hours and days, who may buy a permit, annual permit dates, and exceptions for schools, churches or businesses. The city administrator sets permit supply, rates and rules, targeting 85 percent on-street and 90 percent off-street occupancy, and may expand, shrink, or dissolve a district as conditions change.
Violations & Fines
Parking without a displayed permit or valid visitor pass in a designated permit-only area is a municipal infraction under Sec. 24-456(a)(5) and 24-457, enforced with citations and fines under Sec. 24-1004; vehicles with $50 or more in unpaid tickets may be booted or towed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can get a permit in a Billings parking permit district?
What happens if I park without a permit in the district?
Sources & Official References
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