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Billings, MT Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Curb window
Night before + collection day only
Off-curb requirement
Stored off right-of-way rest of week
Underground storage
Banned citywide
Max penalty
$500/day, each day separate offense

Summary

Billings requires black or green solid waste carts to be stored off the street right-of-way except from the night before through the day of collection, with no underground storage allowed.

Underground container storage is not permitted. When collection is made from the street, storage of containers shall not be close to the curb area except on collection days. ... Black and green residential containers will be allowed to be placed for collection within, but without obstructing, the street right-of-way the night before and on the day of solid waste collection only. Containers must be stored off the street right-of-way the remainder of the time.

View official code

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

City code bars storing solid waste containers underground and keeps residential black and green carts off the curb except on trash day. Sec. 21-211(g) allows the carts within, but not obstructing, the street right-of-way only the night before and the day of collection: they must be stored off the right-of-way the rest of the week. Commercial properties must provide storage facilities that keep waste from scattering into alleys or streets. Violations are misdemeanors under the city's general penalty (Sec. 1-110), fined up to $500 per day.

Violations & Fines

Curbside carts outside the night-before/collection-day window, or any underground storage, is a misdemeanor under Sec. 1-110: up to $500 per day, each day a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I put my trash cart at the curb in Billings?
Only the night before your collection day and on collection day itself: city code requires it off the street right-of-way the rest of the week.
Can I bury my garbage cart in an underground bin in Billings?
No. Sec. 21-210 bans underground container storage citywide, regardless of property type.
Do commercial properties have separate cart storage rules?
Yes: commercial properties must provide facilities that keep waste from scattering into alleys or streets between collections (Sec. 21-210(b)).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Billings

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Overnight ParkingSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSignificant RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Billings rules

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