Billings, MT Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- Repair duty
- Owner or agent
- Notice period
- 30 days before city acts
- City repair cost
- Assessed to owner
- Lien trigger
- 60+ days unpaid
Summary
Billings property owners must repair defective abutting sidewalks; after 30 days' notice, the city repairs and assesses the cost to the owner.
Whenever the public convenience or safety requires any sidewalk, in case of injury or defect, to be repaired by the owner or his or her agent, the city shall, if the same is not immediately repaired by the owner or his or her agent after thirty (30) days' notice, served upon such owner or agent, or if he or she is a nonresident, on the occupant, or if the lot is unoccupied, posted upon the lot close to the walk to be repaired, proceed to repair the same.
(Code 1967, § 13.08.140; Ord. No. 17-5693, § 1, 8-28-17)
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. 22-231, when public safety requires a defective sidewalk to be fixed, the owner or agent is responsible. If the owner doesn't repair it within 30 days of notice (served on the owner, occupant, or posted on the lot), the city repairs it and bills the cost back. If the walk is dangerous enough, the city can skip the wait and repair immediately under Sec. 22-233. Unpaid ongoing-program costs over 60 days become a special assessment lien with interest (Sec. 13-1206).
Violations & Fines
Cost of city repair assessed and collected against the property under BMCC Art. 13-1200; amounts $500+ may be paid in installments over 5 years, unpaid balances become a lien with accruing interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who fixes a broken sidewalk in Billings?
What if I ignore the city's repair notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Billings
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