Billings, MT Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Billings Fire Service
- Cost recovery
- Lien, foreclosed like a mechanic's lien
- Related repealed code
- Art. 6-800 (dangerous buildings, repealed 1994)
Summary
Billings orders owners to repair or demolish fire-hazard structures, then does the work itself and liens the property if they refuse.
Whenever the fire service shall find any building or other structure which for want of repairs, or by reason of age, dilapidated condition, fire damage or for any other cause is especially susceptible to fire and which is so situated as to endanger other property...it shall order the same to be removed or remedied...If the owner, occupant or both fail, the city...may take the required action and charge the costs and expenses to the property. The city may file a lien against the property in the same manner as a mechanic's lien and foreclose said lien under the laws of the state.
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 Sec. 14-205, the fire service can order any building that is dilapidated, fire-damaged, or otherwise a fire hazard to neighboring property to be removed or remedied. If the owner or occupant does not comply, city crews handle the repair or demolition themselves and bill the property owner. Unpaid costs become a lien on the property, foreclosed the same way as a mechanic's lien. The separate Article 6-800 dangerous-buildings code was repealed in 1994, so this fire-service authority is now the operative citywide tool for hazardous structures.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance lets the city complete the repair/demolition and charge costs to the owner, secured by a mechanic's-lien-style claim on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides a Billings building is dangerous?
What happens if a Billings owner ignores the order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Billings
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