Yellowstone County, MT Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Interstate Corridor width
- 660 ft either side of ROW
- Corridor max size
- 600 sq ft
- Corridor max height
- 40 ft
- Corridor min separation
- 500 ft
- Zones allowed
- C3, CX, I1, I2
- Sign code violation status
- Strict liability misdemeanor
Summary
In unincorporated Yellowstone County, billboards along Interstate 90 are confined to a defined Interstate Corridor, 660 feet either side of the interstate right-of-way, and are allowed only on land zoned C3, CX, I1, or I2. Inside that corridor, Zoning Code Section 27-1409 caps billboards at 600 square feet and 40 feet in height, spaced at least 500 feet apart.
Billboards shall be permitted in the Interstate Corridor (660 feet either side of the right-of-way of the Interstate Highway) on properties zoned C3, CX, I1, or I2 as follows: 1. Billboards located within the Interstate Corridor shall have a maximum size of 600 square feet in size and shall be no more than 40 feet in height. 2. Billboards shall be separated by a minimum distance of 500 feet.
Full Breakdown
The Yellowstone County Zoning Code addresses freeway-facing billboards separately from other signage in Article 27-1400, Section 27-1409. Inside the Interstate Corridor, defined as the land within 660 feet of either side of the Interstate Highway right-of-way, billboards are permitted only on parcels zoned Commercial 3 (C3), Heavy Commercial (CX), Industrial 1 (I1), or Industrial 2 (I2). A. 22 sets different limits by zone: in C3, billboards top out at 30 feet high with a maximum face of 288 or 300 square feet and a minimum separation of 750 or 700 feet; in CX, the cap is also 30 feet high with a 378 square foot face and 500 feet of separation; in I1 and I2 the height limit rises to 40 feet.
C an EMD can occupy the entire sign face without also carrying a wall or freestanding sign. The zoning coordinator administers these standards, nonconforming off-premises billboard faces face limits on replacement under Section 27-1403, and every billboard, permitted or not, must be kept in good repair under Section 27-1410, including repairing any damaged sign base within 60 days.
Violations & Fines
Putting up a billboard on public property outside these limits exposes the owner to forfeiture and confiscation under Section 27-1704.F: the County can seize and dispose of it and bill the owner or installer for removal costs. Violating Article 27-1400 signage rules is a strict liability offense, and any Zoning Code violation is a misdemeanor under Section 27-1704.G, punishable by a fine up to the state statutory limit or up to six months in the county jail, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a billboard face I-90 in unincorporated Yellowstone County?
What are the limits for a billboard outside the interstate corridor?
Can electronic message billboards be used?
What happens if a billboard is installed illegally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yellowstone County
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