The Billings Future Plan is the joint city-county growth policy adopted under Montana law. It guides annexation, zoning amendments, and capital projects across Billings and the surrounding Lockwood and Heights areas.
Montana law requires local governments to adopt a growth policy as a foundation for zoning regulations. The Billings Future Plan was adopted jointly by the City of Billings and Yellowstone County and serves as the comprehensive plan. It identifies future land use districts, annexation priorities, transportation corridors including the Inner Belt Loop study area, and infill goals for downtown and the South Side. Rezoning applications are weighed against the plan by the City-County Planning Division and Zoning Commission before City Council action. The plan is updated periodically with neighborhood-level subarea plans.
The growth policy itself is non-regulatory. Rezones inconsistent with the plan still require council action and face higher scrutiny and possible legal challenge.
Billings, MT
Montana preempts local minimum wage ordinances under MCA section 39-3-409. The state minimum is CPI-adjusted to roughly $10.55 per hour. Billings cannot enac...
Billings, MT
Billings has no hotel worker retention ordinance requiring new owners to retain existing staff. Montana is a right-to-work and at-will employment state with ...
Billings, MT
Billings hotel guests pay roughly 11 percent in Montana lodging taxes: 7 percent lodging facility tax plus 4 percent sales-on-lodging tax. Montana has no gen...
Billings, MT
Public urination and defecation are misdemeanors in Billings under BMC Chapter 25 disorderly conduct and Montana state indecent exposure laws. Downtown bar d...
Billings, MT
Billings cites residents for hosting loud parties under disorderly conduct provisions in BMC Chapter 25 and quiet-hours noise rules in BMC Chapter 17. Repeat...
Billings, MT
Billings prohibits aggressive panhandling near ATMs, bus stops, and outdoor dining under BMC Chapter 25. Passive sign-holding remains protected speech, but c...
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