Billings, MT Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Ag zoning district
- None: no dedicated AG zone
- Greenhouses/farm stands
- Permitted in all neighborhoods
- Livestock auction/feeding yards
- Special review, limited zones
- Backyard hens & crops
- By-right accessory use citywide
- Governing code
- Ch. 27, Secs. 27-1001–27-1008
Summary
Billings has no dedicated agricultural zoning district. Its zoning code classifies farming as its own use category, permitting greenhouses and farm stands broadly while confining livestock auction yards and feeding yards to special review.
Agricultural uses. Use Category Description: This is a category of uses characterized by active and on-going agricultural uses, activities, and related uses. Not all uses listed here are allowed within the city limits. An agricultural use, in general, means the use of land for the growing and production of field crops, livestock, aquatic, and animal products for the production of income. Other agricultural uses might include fruit and vegetable stands, livestock sales, wholesale nurseries, and stables. Lands in agricultural uses and districts may also be held for preservation and conservation purposes. The sale or service of agricultural products and equipment included in similar commercial use categories. (Ord. No. 21-5748, § 3(Exh. A), 1-25-21)
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' zoning code (Sec. 27-1001) defines 'agricultural uses' as land used to grow field crops, livestock, aquatic and animal products for income, plus stands, livestock sales, nurseries and stables, but the city has no dedicated agricultural zoning district like a rural county would. Table 27-1000.1 permits non-commercial greenhouses and farm stands outright in neighborhood districts, while livestock auction yards and commercial feeding yards require special review and are effectively confined to a couple of public/institutional zones. Separately, Sec. 27-1008's accessory-use table permits community gardens, crops, and backyard hens by right as 'urban agriculture' in nearly every residential zone.
Violations & Fines
Running a livestock auction yard, commercial feeding yard, or other agricultural use outside its permitted zone or without required special review approval violates the zoning code and can draw a stop-work or code-enforcement order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep chickens or grow crops on residential property in Billings?
Does Billings have a right-to-farm ordinance protecting agricultural operations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Billings
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