Montana law bans dumping garbage, dead animals, or refuse on roads, public property, within 200 yards of a public road, or on recreational private land without consent. Violators face absolute liability and civil penalties. Yellowstone County also cites accumulated debris under its Community Decay Ordinance.
Under MCA 75-10-212, a person may not dispose of solid waste except as permitted, and it is unlawful to dump or leave garbage, a dead animal, or other debris in or upon any highway, road, street, or alley; on public property; within 200 yards of a public highway, road, street, alley, or public property; or on private recreational land without the owner's consent. Violators are absolutely liable under MCA 45-2-104 and subject to civil penalties under MCA 75-10-233. Yellowstone County reinforces this locally: accumulations of debris or refuse visible from a public right-of-way are enforceable under the Community Decay Ordinance, and the Billings Regional Landfill provides the lawful disposal alternative.
Absolute liability under MCA 45-2-104 with civil penalties under MCA 75-10-233. County debris accumulations may also be abated under the Community Decay Ordinance with cost recovery.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Yellowstone County, MT
Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning backyard composting. Residents may compost yard and food waste; keep piles from becoming a rodent, odor, or vecto...
Yellowstone County, MT
Yellowstone County has no ordinance banning or requiring a permit for artificial turf on residential lawns. Homeowners may install synthetic grass; HOA coven...
Yellowstone County, MT
Yellowstone County does not require or prohibit native-plant landscaping. Residents may plant Montana natives and drought-tolerant xeriscape freely, provided...
Yellowstone County, MT
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Montana and encouraged. Yellowstone County has no ordinance restricting rain barrels. Rooftop collection for outdoor landsca...
Yellowstone County, MT
Unincorporated Yellowstone County imposes no standing lawn-watering rule. The City of Billings enacts temporary Stage 1 restrictions during peak demand, typi...
Yellowstone County, MT
Montana law makes noxious-weed control MANDATORY for every landowner. State statute makes it unlawful to let a noxious weed go to seed on your land, and the ...
See how Yellowstone County's illegal dumping rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.