Noise Ordinances in Montana (2026)
17 rules on the books across Montana, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Quiet Hours
Nighttime and early morning noise restrictions. Most cities set specific hours when loud activities like lawn mowing, parties, and power tools are not allowed.
Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings drops its noise ceiling every night: residential sound must stay under 55 dB(A) max (45 dB(A) average) from…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, the noise article sets clock windows by season instead of one nightly quiet hour…
Read full rule →Construction Hours
When construction, demolition, and heavy equipment may run in residential areas. Most cities regulate this by hours and days rather than volume; violations can bring stop-work orders and fines.
Bozeman
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, construction noise between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. must not exceed 60dB(A) at the…
Read full rule →Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings' noise code exempts home, building, and grounds-maintenance construction noise from citywide sound limits only…
Read full rule →Barking Dogs
Rules about excessive or continuous dog barking, including how complaints are filed, time-of-day limits, and penalties for owners.
Montana: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsMontana treats a persistently barking dog as a nuisance. After the 2025 nuisance-law revision, a neighbor pursues it as…
Read full rule →Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings makes it a civil offense to let a dog or other animal bark, howl, or whine persistently enough to unreasonably…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, it is unlawful to own, keep or harbor an animal that by frequent or habitual howling…
Read full rule →Leaf Blower Rules
Restrictions on leaf blowers, including permitted hours, decibel caps, and the growing set of cities phasing out or banning gas-powered blowers outright.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Rules for loudspeakers, live bands, DJ equipment, and outdoor music at homes, venues, and events, decibel limits, permitted hours, and when an amplified-sound permit is required.
Billings
Some RestrictionsAmplified outdoor events in Billings must shut down by 9 p.m. on weeknights outside downtown (11 p.m. downtown on…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, it is unlawful to use a radio, boombox, musical instrument or any sound-producing…
Read full rule →Yellowstone County
Some RestrictionsOutdoor and rooftop seating at eating and drinking establishments in unincorporated Yellowstone County may use…
Read full rule →Aircraft Noise
Local regulations related to noise from airports, flight paths, and helicopter operations near residential areas.
Montana: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsAircraft noise in Montana is governed almost entirely by federal law under the Federal Aviation Act and FAA…
Read full rule →Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings regulates development near Billings Logan International Airport through an aircraft noise overlay zone…
Read full rule →Decibel Limits
The decibel thresholds cities enforce, usually as a table by zone and time of day, residential, commercial, and industrial limits, how noise is measured, and what happens at the property line.
Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings limits industrial-zone noise to 90 dB(A) maximum by day and 80 dB(A) at night, with lower 80/70 dB(A) average…
Read full rule →Yellowstone County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Yellowstone County, mechanical equipment on industrial property within 50 feet of a residential…
Read full rule →Vehicle Noise
Rules about loud vehicle exhaust, modified mufflers, racing engines, and stereos audible at distance. Covers what officers measure and typical fines.
Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings prohibits motor vehicles from making noise plainly audible 50 feet or more away, covering loud exhaust, engine…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, a motor vehicle on a street must carry a muffler in good working order and in constant…
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