Trash & Recycling in Montana (2026)
16 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
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Trash and recycling collection days, what time to put bins out, and rules about sorting materials for curbside pickup.
Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings residents can set solid waste and yard waste carts out the night before collection and on collection day only…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, it is unlawful to put solid waste at the collection point without a suitable…
Read full rule →Bin Placement Rules
Where to position trash and recycling carts, when they may go to the curb and must come back, and the screening or enclosure rules for where bins live between pickups.
Billings
Some RestrictionsIn Billings, solid waste and yard waste carts go out to the sidewalk, street right-of-way, or alley the night before…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, trash containers are allowed in the street right-of-way only the night before and on…
Read full rule →Yellowstone County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Yellowstone County, any building with five or more units must keep its trash and recycling area in…
Read full rule →Bulk Item Disposal
How to dispose of large items like furniture, appliances, and mattresses, including scheduled pickups and drop-off locations.
Recycling Requirements
Mandatory recycling rules including which materials must be separated, contamination penalties, and composting requirements.
Illegal Dumping
Penalties and enforcement for dumping trash, debris, or hazardous materials on private or public property without authorization.
Billings
Heavy RestrictionsBillings bans depositing solid waste on city right-of-way, city property, or anyone else's land without the express…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, depositing solid waste on another person's property without the owner's or occupant's…
Read full rule →Yard Waste Collection
Rules for separating grass clippings, leaves, branches, and other yard waste from regular trash, including pickup days and bag/bin requirements.
Dumpster Rules
Permits and placement rules for residential or construction dumpsters, including how long they can stay and ROW obstruction limits.
Billings
Significant RestrictionsOnly the City of Billings Public Works Department collects commercial dumpsters and carts. Section 21-214 makes it…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, dumpster collection accounts use a dumpster provided by the city, and all solid waste…
Read full rule →Yellowstone County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Yellowstone County's commercial and mixed-use zoning districts, dumpsters and other refuse containers…
Read full rule →Collection Schedule
Day-of-week pickup schedules by neighborhood, set-out and take-back time windows, and where to find your specific block's schedule.
Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings Public Works picks up residential solid waste carts once a week by automated truck, and runs a seasonal yard…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, solid waste collection is weekly. The printed exceptions are 35-gallon totes…
Read full rule →Recycling Rules
Which items can and cannot go in residential single-stream recycling bins, contamination penalties, and rules for hazardous-waste drop-off.