Frequently Asked Questions

You can: Contact the court to reschedule your appearance, please call (406) 657-8490. You can appear on a different open-court session. Open-court is held 3 weeks a month on every Monday and Friday at 9:00 am.

City of Billings Warrants | Please call the Billings Municipal Court -  Phone: 406.657.8490 or 

Billings Police Department - Phone: 406.657.8460

Yellowstone County Justice Court (misdemeanor) Warrants | Yellowstone County Justice Court 

Yellowstone County District Court (felony) Warrants | Please call the Yellowstone County District Court - 

Phone:  406.256.2851

If you have been cited for a civil infraction of Billings Municipal Code which is punishable by fine, but not imprisonment, and in some instances, and Order of Abatement requiring you to fix the underlying code violation.  Civil infractions are not criminal charges, and you cannot be sentenced to jail time for a civil infraction. IF YOU DENY THIS VIOLATION AND REQUEST A TRIAL:  YOU may bring witnesses and present your case to the Municipal Judge.  The citing officer must prove that you committed the infraction by clear and convincing evidence.  YOU may represent or hire an attorney at your expense to represent you.  If you hire an attorney, you must notify the Court immediately in writing.  Since you are not facing the possibility of jail time, you are not entitled to have a public defender appointed to represent you.  IF you fail to show up for your trial on your trial date, OR IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND OR APPEAR to a "No Appearance Required" citation within Fourteen (14) days, the Court will enter a default judgement against you for the fine amount, authorized surcharges under state law and city ordinance, court costs and fees as provided in BMCC Section 18-1204, in addition to a possible Order of Abatement.  Unpaid default judgements will be forwarded to collections and subject to an additional 30% collection fee.  

You may board the bus at any of the 450 plus MET designated bus stop signs throughout the City, located approximately every 1/4 mile on 13 routes. When the bus is a half block away, just give the Bus Driver a wave, indicating you would like to board.  

Please click on the following link for additional information.

Bus passes may be purchased at the MET office at 1705 Monad Road, at City Hall at 316 North 26th, at Ticket Vending Machines at the Downtown Transfer Center and Stewart Park Transfer Center, and online by visiting the UMO website or by downloading the UMO smartphone app. Student bus passes may be purchased at School District 2 Middle and High schools except Billings West High School during the school year.

MET Bus Drivers cannot make change. You will need the correct change.

Fixed route and paratransit bus services operate from 5:45 AM to approximately 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM on Saturdays.   

There are two transfer centers. The Downtown Transfer Center is located at 220 North 25th Street. The Stewart Park Transfer Center is located at 26th Street West and Central Avenue (behind Rimrock Mall).

Yes, transfers are free within the first half hour of boarding a MET bus. To transfer, notify the Bus Driver of the transfer and you will be provided a transfer slip if you paid with cash. Give this slip to the Bus Driver on the second bus when boarding. If you pay using an UMO fare card or smartphone app, the system will track your transfer eligibility for the 1/2 hour timeframe, and you will not need to get a transfer slip from the Bus Driver.

Route 1 Downtown Circulator travels to the Airport five times daily during normal weekday hours; there is no service to the Airport on Saturdays.

All of the buses are equipped with front bike racks. Due to safety reasons, bikes are not allowed in the interior of the bus. Please click on the following link for additional information.

The MET Transit office is located at 1705 Monad Road, Billings, Montana, 59101. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The telephone number is 406-657-8218.

The MET Plus program is for individuals within 3/4 mile of a fixed-route bus route and whose disabling condition prevents them from using the regular fixed-route bus service. An application form must be completed and submitted to MET Transit. Please note, during the application process, verification from a qualified professional is required to verify disabling conditions. Please click on the following link for additional information.

During the application process, the applicant will be required to obtain professional verification of their disabling condition. The qualified professional providing the verification should be the one who knows you best, and can determine what your disabilities are, and if the disabilities qualify you for MET Plus paratransit service.

MET Plus clients must call 406-657-8218 at least 24 hours, or up to two weeks, in advance before your requested ride. MET Customer Service is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 

MET Customer Service is available at (406) 657-8218, Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

MET Plus service hours mirror fixed route service hours.

Please click the following link for Fare information:

Fares may be paid with cash, check, or credit card (at the MET office or over the phone).  Clients may pay on a ride by ride basis or they may choose to put additional fares on their individual account balance.  Account balances will be deducted from each time a client rides with MET Plus Transportation.   

Fares may be paid with cash, check, or credit card (at the MET office or over the phone).  Clients may pay on a ride by ride basis or they may choose to put additional fares on their individual account balance.  Account balances will be deducted from each time a client rides with MET Plus Transportation.   

Residents of Montana are eligible for a library card at no charge.

Individuals must show a photo identification and proof of current address to receive a library card.

https://billingslibrary.org/326/How-to-get-a-card 

Non-residents of Montana may purchase regular library cards for $20 per quarter (three months) or $75 per year. Call (406) 657-8258 or fill out a Online Library Card Application.

Meeting rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, though Library-sponsored programs will always have priority. Call (406) 657-8290 or stop at any service desk to make meeting room reservations.

The last meeting of the day must be over by one hour before closing time. Food and drink are permitted in the meeting rooms, but groups must leave the rooms clean at departure. Prior to the meeting, the booking must be confirmed by completion of a meeting room reservation form at the Library.

Meetings must be open to the public at no charge to those attending and may be held only during the time from one hour after the Library opens until one hour before the Library closes. Private, commercial activities are prohibited and City Code prohibits alcoholic beverages in public buildings.

Third floor meeting room: This is available Monday - Saturday after 10:00 am. No meetings are permitted on Sundays. Meeting room space will be booked for one meeting at a time, dependent on availability, no more than three months in advance. Only one meeting or event at a time will be held on the third floor.

Second Floor Computer Classroom: The Computer Classroom has 12 PCs available for training or taking online tests. The computers are equipped with standard office software. No food or drink is permitted in the Classroom. It is available each open day, including open Sundays from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Reservations must be made through the Assistant Director or Administrative Coordinator for organizations outside the City of Billings wishing to use the computer classroom; only one reservation at a time is permitted.

For the Second Floor meeting rooms, multiple meetings may be scheduled as follows:

• Daily for five days (one week)
• Weekly for four weeks (one month)
• Monthly for four months, if the group meets regularly

Second Floor Large Study: The Large Study is a conference room that can seat small groups. Maximum group size is 15 people. It is available each open day, including open Sundays from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm.

Second Floor Small Study: The Small Study is a conference room that can seat very small groups. Maximum group size is 5 people. It is available each open day, including open Sundays from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm.

Yes, regularly scheduled story times are available. A current schedule is available in the Storytime Calendar or the Children's Page or by calling Children’s Services at (406) 657-8256.

See our Hours page for information on open hours, holidays and other days the library may be closed, or call (406) 657-8259 for our automated hours line. Generally speaking, the library is open from 10:00 am - 9:00 pm, Monday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday, and 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday. Sundays from the weekend after Labor Day to the weekend before Memorial Day, the library is open from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. The library is closed on Sundays during the summer.

The person for whom the library was named. See our About the Library page for links to his picture and the history of the library.

To request a Building Inspection email us or call us at 406.657.8270.

Building permits applications are submitted via the GoPost online portal. Residential and commercial roofing, siding, windows, and doors may be submitted via email.

The Building Division is on the 5th floor of City Hall at 316 N. 26th Street, in downtown Billings.

A building permit is required for almost any type of construction on private property including:

• Roofing
• Fences - at or exceeding a height of 8 feet and retaining walls exceeding a height of four (4) Feet. *** Contact Planning at 406-657-8247 to obtain a permit for any fence between a height of four (4) feet and six (6) feet. SEC 27-604 (h) Click here.
• Siding
• Decks
• Parking lots

Some of the items that do not require a permit are:

• Detached sheds not exceeding 200 square feet
• Painting
• Wallpapering and similar finish work
• Sidewalks or driveways when they will not support a structure and are located entirely on private property

In addition, certain construction activities in the public right of way may require permits.

Part of the plan review process is to examine submitted plans for conformance with all codes, laws, and ordinances. This includes all phases of construction including site, structural, architectural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical drawings. The plumbing and electrical detail may be excluded on single-family residences provided the location of the mechanical equipment is shown. Commercial plans need to be stamped by a Montana-licensed architect or engineer. Handouts are available from the Building Division.

Fees are based on the valuation assigned to each individual project. On large commercial projects valuation may be determined by a competitive bid process. Other commercial and single family structures are assigned a value based on square footage. Remodels are determined by contract price or the estimated value of material and labor.

Permit-Fees 

Once a complete plan has been submitted, and special issues have been addressed (i.e., variances, special reviews, subdivisions, etc.), the initial review takes: Residential (single-family and duplex): 4-7 business days Commercial - Minor: 2-4 weeks Commercial - Major: 3-6 weeks

Because building plans are submitted electronically, only one (1) set of plans is required.

A "building setback" is the distance between a structure and a property line. An "arterial setback" is that distance between a structure and the center of an arterial street right of way. Setbacks are unique to each zoning district. Please contact City-County Planning at (406) 657-8247 for further assistance. In addition to verifying setbacks, knowing where the underground utility lines are located on the property is very important. Please call 811, or go to

• 2021 International Residential Code
• 2021 International Building Code
• 2021 International Mechanical Code
• 2021 International Fuel Gas Code
• 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code
• 2020 National Electrical Code
• 2021 International Energy Conservation Code
• 2021 International Fire Code
• 2021 International Swimming Pool & Spa Code

City of Billings’ Building Codes were last adopted on September 1, 2022 per Administrative Order #150.
A handout specifying each code and edition year is available at the Building Division front counter on the 5th floor of City Hall Building at 316 N. 26th St.

The State of Montana governs the area outside the city limits. You may call (406) 841-2056 for additional information.

State of MT Building Permits

You will be notified via email as soon as plans have been reviewed by all departments and divisions. If you would like to check the status, enter the permit number at the following link.

In cases where curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements are not appropriate at the time of development (e.g., gravel streets, no curbs adjacent to property, etc.), the City Engineer may accept an SID Waiver of Protest in lieu of construction.

Inside the city limits, call Jessica Fust, Floodplain Administrator (406) 657-8271. Outside the city limits, call Emergency and General Services at (406) 256-2775.

Contact a private surveyor. You can find a list of surveyors in the Yellow Pages. City staff is prohibited from surveying private property lines. It is also very important to know where a property's underground utility lines are located before starting a project. Please dial 811 or go to

While there are instances where a plan is not required, such as re-siding or re-roofing, many so-called "small jobs" are affected by building codes. The adding or deletion of a wall down the middle of a room can dramatically affect the existing and structural integrity of the building. A plan that clearly indicates the work to be done can avoid surprises and conflicts at the job site. Part of the building plan process should be knowing the location of a property's underground utility lines. Please dial 811 or go to callbeforeyoudig.org for more information.

The minimum opening area in accordance with the IRC section 310 is 5.7 square feet. Minimum opening height is 24 inches and the minimum opening width is 20 inches. The bottom sill height shall be no more than 44 inches from the floor. To obtain more information please call 657-8270.

(a) Ground level flowers/decorations are only allowed in city furnished flower receptacles. Any inappropriately placed ground level flowers/decorations will be removed and discarded by the city. 

(b) Ground-level flower receptacles are not to be used from October 15th through May 15th. 

(c) Exception to subsections (a) and (b) is granted for cultural holiday decorations. This includes birthdays, date of death, and anniversaries, provided they are clearly marked on the monument. Ground-level, holiday grave decorations are allowed three (3) days before and three (3) days after the holiday. 

(d) Christmas decorations are allowed from the day after Thanksgiving through the first week of the New Year. 

(e) Memorial Day decorations are allowed from May 15th up until the first Monday following Memorial Day.   Memorial Day decorations in the cemetery’s Veteran’s section are allowed until June 7th.

On the Cemetery's home page, find and click on the link to Gravesite Locator of click on the link below. It will take you Discover Everafter. You can type in the first and/or last name and click search. Then select “View More Info” and you will be directed to the burial information, to include a pin on our map showing where your loved ones grave site is located.

Flowers and decorations which are not in a standard flower container are not allowed in Mountview Cemetery. The Cemetery makes an exception to that rule during Memorial Day. All Memorial Day flowers not in a standard flower container are removed the Monday following Memorial Day. If you need a new standard flower container, they are available for purchase in the Cemetery Office for $50.

Gound level flowers can be covered by snow and not seen by snow removal personnel. This may result in damaged equipment or cause injury from airborne flowers. 

Exceptions are granted for cultural holiday decorations. This includes birthdays, date of death, and anniversaries, provided they are clearly marked on the monument. Ground-level, holiday grave decorations shall be allowed three (3) days before and three (3) days after the holiday. 

Christmas decorations are allowed from the day after Thanksgiving through the first week of the New Year. 

We will pick up and dispose of any ground level decorations the first Monday after Memorial Day. In the Veteran's sections we will remove decorations on June 7th.

Christmas decorations are allowed to be placed the day after Thanksgiving. Decorations will be removed by the City on after the first full week of the New Year. If you want to save yours, you need to remove them on or before the Monday following the first full week.

Ground level flowers placed in a standard flower container can be set out any time after May 15th. Flowers just set on the ground can not be put out before the Thursday before Memorial Day.

The phone number is (406) 256-2870. Click the following link to visit the website:  Yellowstone County Attorney

Order of Protection applications are available at the clerk's office for Billings Municipal Court (2nd floor City Hall) and Yellowstone County Justice Court (6th floor Yellowstone County Courthouse). Return completed applications to the clerk's office for review by a judge. There is no charge for an Order of Protection.

City Order-of-Protection 

Yellowstone County Protection Order 

Misdemeanors offenses that are committed inside the City limits are prosecuted by the Billings City Attorney’s Office, which are handled in Billings Municipal Court. These cases are investigated by the Billings Police Department. The website is as follows: Victim-Services-Information . The Billings City Attorney’s Office phone number is (406) 657-8205. All misdemeanors that are committed outside of the City limits but still in Yellowstone County, such as Lockwood, Shepherd, Huntley/Worden, Custer, and even some locations inside of the city limits, such as the Metra or certain parks, are handled in Justice Court and are prosecuted by the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office. These cases are investigated by various law enforcement agencies such as the Montana Highway Patrol, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Fish & Game, and Motor Carrier Services. The County Attorney’s Office also handles any and all felony crimes committed in all of Yellowstone County. The phone number for the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office is (406) 256-2870. The website is as follows: Yellowstone County Attorney  The Laurel City Attorney’s Office prosecutes misdemeanor criminal offenses that occur within the city limits of Laurel. These cases are handled in Laurel City Court. The phone number for the Laurel City Attorney’s Office is (406) 259-8611.  Laurel, MT - City Attorney 

We are located on the 2nd floor of City Hall at 316 North 26th Street in Billings. You may park in Park 3, a parking garage located on the corner of 2nd Avenue North and North 27th Street. The entrance to Park 3 is located on 2nd Avenue North. There is also metered parking available in downtown Billings. Garage-Locations-Rates 

If it is an emergency, call 911 immediately. If you want to report a crime that has already occurred and you live within the city limits, please contact the Billings Police Department at (406) 657-8200. A peace officer will respond and start an investigation by asking you a series of questions. Once the investigation is complete, the officer may or may not arrest the individual. If no arrest is made, the report may be submitted to the City Attorney’s Office to be reviewed by a prosecutor who will decide what charge(s), if any, should be prosecuted. It is at the prosecutor’s discretion whether or not each case is charged.

The number for the Yellowstone County Detention Facility is (406) 256-6881.

The website is:  Yellowstone County Detention Center, Inmate Search 

Contact Municipal Court at (406) 657-8490. Municipal Court is located at 316 N. 26th St. on the 2nd Floor.

Contact the Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's Office at (406) 256-2785 located on the 3rd floor of City Hall at 316 N. 26th Street.

Contact the City of Billings Finance Division at (406) 657-8364 located at 316 N. 26th St.

Visit https://www.billingsmt.gov/107/City-Council to find the council representative for your ward.

To request a payoff quote, please email Jordan Langton at langtonj@billingsmt.gov or call 406-860-9126. If the payoff request is received from a third party, such as a bank or title company, the payoff quote request must contain the loan holder's written authorization to release the information. Staff will make every effort to provide a response within 10 to 14 days of the date the request is received.

Please see Business License Information to determine if you are required to obtain a City of Billings business license.

Please see Business License Information for information on how to obtain a City of Billings business license.

You can find current and the past 9 years' budget and financial information here: Budgets and Financial Reports

All firefighters are trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and every fire engine is usually staffed with a paramedic as well. Firefighter/Paramedics are able to begin life saving care and medications before the arrival of an ambulance. Additionally, your neighborhood fire stations are located strategically throughout the city to provide short response times.

Open burning is generally prohibited within the City limits. If you plan on burning, a permit is required. To apply for a permit, if you live within the City limits, please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at (406) 237-6262. To apply for a permit, if you live in Yellowstone County, please call the Yellowstone County Emergency & General Services Department at (406)-256-2775.

Please contact the Fire Prevention Bureau for any Public Education needs at (406) 237-6262.

The minimum size fire extinguisher allowed for a commercial building is a 2A-10BC rated extinguisher. Contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at (406) 237-6262 for more information.

Yes, but only once the divorce is final. Until that time the spouse must remain on your insurance. If the former spouse needs to remain insured by order of the Divorce Decree, the former spouse will drop off of the City's group plan and COBRA rates will apply. If this happens, please provide HR with a copy of the Divorce Decree indicating the length of time the former spouse must be insured.

You can check a list of participating doctors, hospitals and facilities by checking out the Rocky Mountain Health Network website below. Once you've accessed the link, select EBMS-City of Billings on the dropdown menu labeled Insurance Accepted.

Before a Covered Person enters a Medical Care Facility on a non-emergency basis, or receives other listed medical services, the utilization review administrator will, in conjunction with the attending Physician, certify the care as appropriate. A non-emergency stay in a Medical Care Facility is one that can be scheduled in advance. The Physician or Covered Person must contact CareLink at 406-245-3575 or 866-894-1505, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Monday - Thursday, and 7:00 am - 5:00 pm, Friday, prior to the following treatments: * Inpatient admissions to a Hospital * Inpatient admissions to free-standing chamical dependancy, mental health, and rehabilitation facilities. * Cancer treatment programs, administered on an inpatient or outpatient basis. * Inpatient or outpatient surgeries relating to hysterectomies, spine surgery, or bariatric surgery.

Preferred hospital and facility plans do not require you to file a claim form when you visit a preferred hospital or facility. They will submit the claim electronically directly to EBMS. If you elect to receive care from a non-network hospital or facility, you may be required to pay in advance and then file a claim for reimbursement from the plan. However, should you ever require care for life-threatening situations, your preferred hospital and facility plan understands that you may receive care before contacting CARE LINK. The emergency room where you receive care may be outside of the preferred hospital and facility network. Most hospitals will file your claim for you; others may send the bill directly to you for you to coordinate with your plan. If you do need to submit a claim form, which is available on the website below, you can mail it directly to: Employee Benefit Management Services, P. O. Box 21367, Billings, MT 59104 Otherwise, you can forward the forms to the City of Billings, Human Resources dept for EBMS. They pick up mail daily.

You can log into your EBMS account by accessing the website below. If you are a new user, select the new user sign up button. Complete the registration form. (Note: If you are already registered, you will just need to login with the user name and password you previously set up.) EBMS will immediately validate your eligibility status. Once verified, you will have instant access to your miHealthManager and miBenefits, which includes personal health information, claims, flex status, requesting ID cards, and much more. You may also contact EBMS directly at (406) 869-5505 or HR at (406) 657-8265.

Fleet/Motor Pool

Below are options on how to pay or appeal a City-issued parking ticket.  Always include the ticket or license plate information with payment.

Paying by mail - Please mail your parking ticket with either a check or a money order to the following address:

City of Billings Parking Division

PO Box 1178

Billings, MT 59103

Paying in person - Please go to the City Finance office, located at 316 N 26th Street. Please bring either your parking ticket or license plate number with you.  American Express is not accepted.

Drop box - We have a Parking drop box located on 3rd Ave between the Police Station and the alley with 24-hour availability.

Pay / appeal online - American Express is not accepted.  You have TWELVE (12) CALENDAR DAYS from the date the ticket was written to appeal.  We also have printed contest forms available at the Finance Department in City Hall. 

For more information on paying and appealing a parking ticket, please go to Parking Ticket Information.

City of Billings recently purchased new gate control equipment in Park I, II, and III. Below are two videos to assist you with some of the new features that it offers.

The Hands Free option allows you to get a ticket when entering the garage without having to touch the kiosk. PayByText allows you to pay for your parking before you leave the garage.

Pay By Text Video

Hands Free Video

Powered by Froala Editor

The City of Billings Parking Division was awarded a grant from the State of Montana DEQ to purchase a number of Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.  There are two locations: 2 dual units with a total of 4 ports located in the 1st Ave N garage (Park 2) by the Downtown Wells Fargo drive thru and 1 unit with 2 ports located in the Hospital Corridor on 29th Street between 10th and 11th Ave N.
The spaces are reserved for Electric Vehicles (EV) only.  Non-EV vehicles will receive a parking citation if found parked in the EV parking spaces. The charge is $3.00/hour with a 5 hour maximum stay and are available 24/7.  All the EV meters will accept coin and PayByPhone. Credit Card Meters are available at the EV stations in the 1st Ave N garage (Park 2).

The City of Billings currently has four (4) parking garages available for public and monthly parkers.

Park 1 is located at 2912 3rd Ave N.

1st Ave N Garage (Park 2) is located at 2651 1st Ave N.

Park 3 is located at 210 N 27th St.

Empire is co-owned with the Northern Hotel and is located at 11 N Broadway.

Hourly rates are $1.25 / hour with a daily maximum charge of $25.  NO CASH OR CHECKS ACCEPTED.

Monthly rates are currently at $36.75 for roof parking and $73.50 for covered parking with company discounts available at 5, 25, and 100 monthly spots.

Find more information about garage availability here:  Garage Locations & Rates

• First ticket - $10 
• Second ticket - $20
• Third ticket - $40
• Fourth and subsequent tickets - $50 

Imposition of the maximum fine for fourth and subsequent violations of any of these sections will continue in effect until no fewer than 365 consecutive days have passed without a violation by the person.  Any violation by the person of any of these sections beyond that 365-day period will be fined as a first violation and restart the escalation of fines for subsequent violations until an additional 365 days have passed without a violation by that person.

Article 24-1000 - violations: enforcement: penalties

Article 24-400 - stopping, standing, and parking

PayByPhone

PayByPhone is the most convenient way to pay for metered parking. All City of Billings parking meters accept PayByPhone.  Create an account on the app for quick access every time you park!  Make sure to enter / use the correct license plate for the vehicle parked at the meter to avoid parking citations.  Please note that the meter screen will not show that the meter has been paid when using PayByPhone.  Parking officers can see if the vehicle parked at the meter (using the license plate) has paid for that specific meter.  Meters have a limit of four (4) hours.  You can add time up to the four hours on the PayByPhone app even while away from your vehicle.  Find us at parking locations in Billings!  It’s easy, either use our app or park online at: paybyphone.com.

For more information: On Street Parking

All junk vehicles, including vehicles that are not currently licensed, must be stored within an enclosed building or removed from the property after five (5) days. Within the city limits, please report violations to City of Billings Code Enforcement Division. In Yellowstone County please report violations to Mike Schieno (mschieno@yellowstonecountymt.gov). In the City, please call (406) 237-6146 and in Yellowstone County call (406) 652-2050.

To report an abandoned vehicle use the Billings Police online reporting system or call the Crime Prevention Center at (406) 247-8590.

Once you have established your property zone, you will go to Sec. 27-300 to determine placement and setback requirements for attached and detached garages.  In Sec. 27-1008 (D) you will find Detached Accessory Residential Structures. Detached buildings for accessory uses greater than 200 square feet in size.

You must first determine your properties zoning, you will go to Sec. 27-300.  The setback requirements are listed in the table for your specific zoning. 

Home occupations are allowed in Residential areas with a City of Billings business license.  Restrictions on home occupations Sec. 27-1000 (M) can be found here.

Once you have established your Zoning, go to Sec. 27-300 and look up your specific zone.  The table lists the lot coverage available. You will times the lot size by the available lot percentage. (ex. 7000 sq ft lot times 60% = 4200 lot coverage available).

Subdivision information and contact information can be found here.

Yes, fence permits that are between the height of 4 feet and six feet are required under the Unified Zoning Code. The permit can be found here.

Each Zoning District has a list of Permitted, Permitted Limited, Permitted use Restrictions and Permitted through Special Review.  The specific zoning district use table can be found in Table 27-1000.1 Billings Primary Use Table

The Billings Police Department is located on the first floor of City Hall at 220 N 27th Street. City Hall sits on the corner of 3rd Avenue N and N 27th. The front desk service window hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s office is located at 2323 2nd Ave N. The emergency number is 911. The non-emergency number is (406) 256-2929. The Sheriff’s Office is open 24 hours a day.

Go to the Billings Police Department at 220 N 27th St. Service Window hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm There is a $5 fee for your record. A valid photo ID is required to complete the request.

The Billings Police Department uses volunteers on an as-needed basis. For more information about volunteer opportunities, please call (406) 247-8590

The City of Billings usually holds an auction in June to dispose of property it no longer needs. The Billings Police Department consigns items to this sale. To find out where and when the next auction will be call (406) 657-8470.

Please see Billings Police Crime Statistics in the Document Center under Police or click the quick link.

The service is provided by the Billings Police Department Crime Prevention Center by appointment only. The CPC is located at: 2910 3rd AVE. N. Billings, MT PH#:(406)247-8590 HOURS OF OPERATION 8:00 am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday

The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office is responsible for the offender registry. You can call (406) 256-2939 or visit http://www.doj.mt.gov/svor/

A restraining order may be obtained from Municipal Court or Justice Court. Municipal Court will only consider orders involving partners or family members. All others must go to Justice Court. The first step is to pick up an application at the proper court and fill it out completely. The clerk of court will then make an appointment for the petitioner to see the judge.

Noise levels are measured in decibels and are different for different areas of the community defined as zones. For example, noise levels in an area zoned for 'heavy commercial' will be higher than areas zoned 'residential-one family'. The decibel listings are too long to list for this response. As a rule of thumb persons should limit activity likely to create a noise complaint between the hours of 8:00 pm and 7:00 am. Anyone wanting to look at the ordinance can go to the City Attorney's office at City Hall.

City of Billings Warrants | Please call the Billings Municipal Court -  Phone: 406.657.8490 or 

Billings Police Department - Phone: 406.657.8460

Yellowstone County Justice Court (misdemeanor) Warrants | Yellowstone County Justice Court 

Yellowstone County District Court (felony) Warrants | Please call the Yellowstone County District Court - 

Phone:  406.256.2851

Click on the link below to report an abandoned vehicle.

To report a water leak or sewer back-up

• Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, please call 406-657-8315 for immediate assistance.
• Our dedicated After Hours Emergencies line is 406-371-6897. This line does not handle billing questions. For any billing questions, please contact us at 406-657-8315 during regular business hours so we can best assist you.

To shut-off water

The meter and shut-off valve are typically together and usually can be found in the utility room, or basement of your residence. If this valve is inoperable, the City will need to shut off the service at the curb-valve for the property so you can repair your shut-off valve. Call (406) 657-8315 if you need the water turned off while repairs are being made.

To start or stop collection services, request a green barrel or temporary container, to report a concern, or to make any other inquiries, call the Solid Waste Division at (406) 657-8260.

Yard Waste is collected starting the first full week of April and through the last full week of November.

Learn more about Holiday closures, and guidelines on our webpage.

Find your route collection day on the map.

Hours:

Monday through Saturday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, closed on Sundays and select Holidays, visit our webpage to learn more

Location:

5240 Jellison Road

Directions:

From Billings, head south on South Billings Blvd, cross the Yellowstone River, then turn west (right) on Jellison Rd. The entrance is about a .5 mile from South Billings Blvd on the left hand side of the road. For complete details on the landfill, please visit:

Accepted Items

Unused Medication Disposal

Any unused medications should be taken to an approved drop-off location listed below for safe disposal of prescription and OTC medications (No liquids or sharps are accepted at these locations), see the Guidelines section below for additional information on handling and disposal practices:

• Solid Waste Administrative Offices at 4848 Midland Road, (406) 657-8260 
• Billings Police Department at 220 North 27th Street, (406) 657-8460

Guidelines for proper handling and disposal of medications and sharps in the State of Montana are provided by the Montana Department of Environment Quality (MTDEQ), additional information is available from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA):

• MTDEQ Household Pharmaceutical Waste Disposal Guidance   
• MTDEQ Safe Needle Disposal
• FDA Safe Disposal of Medicines 

Call the Utilities Underground Location Center at (800) 424-5555. Call before you begin any digging project. It's the law.

Water, Sewer and Garbage Utility Services

To start or stop services, or for billing questions call the Utility Service Center at 406-657-8315.

Open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to  5:00 PM

For after hours emergencies call 406-657-8353

Payments may be made through these methods:

Service Counter (This service is currently suspended due to COVID-19):

• Utility Service Center: 2251 Belknap Ave
• City Hall: 210 N 27th St

Payment drop boxes: 

• 2251 Belknap Ave 
• 3rd Ave N (between 27th and 28th St)

On-line at Public Works Department Payments & Utility Account Services, or by Phone at 406-657-8315.

Please, complete the petition form online at billingsmtpublicworks.gov 2020 FORM.

Petitions must be filed by August 31 for each tax year. If you need additional assistance please call (406) 657-8238.

Please contact HRDC District 7.

Please contact the Office of Public Assistance.

Applications are only accepted when we have an advertised vacancy on one of the many boards and commissions of the City. An application form can be downloaded from the City's website or the application form and additional information is available in the City Administrator's office located on the 5th floor of City Hall, 316 N. 26th St.

Use the Billings Police online reporting system or call a volunteer with the Crime Prevention to report an abandoned vehicle. The Cop Shop number is (406) 247-8590. This report will be forwarded to the Police Department and the vehicle will be tagged with an orange sticker. The officer will check back in five days after the sticker is placed on the vehicle and if the vehicle has not been moved we will forward the report to the Yellowstone County Junk Vehicle division to be towed.

You can call the Code Enforcement office at 406-237-6146.

Weed Complaint Form 

Weed-Brochure 

Noise levels are measured in decibels and are different for different areas of the community defined as zones. For example, noise levels in an area zoned for 'heavy commercial' will be higher than areas zoned 'residential-one family'. The decibel listings are too long to list for this response. As a rule of thumb persons should limit activity likely to create a noise complaint between the hours of 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. If a person wants to look at the ordinance they can come to City Hall and go to the City Attorney's office.

Justice Court is located on the sixth floor of the Yellowstone County Courthouse at 217 N. 27th St.

Municipal Court is on the second floor of City Hall, 316 N. 26th St. Office hours are 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, except holidays.

The United States Postal Service assists with first-time passport applications.

Contact information can be found on their website. 

City business licenses are issued through the City's Finance Division. An application must be completed. You may call 406-657-8364 for an application and further information.

The City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month for its regular business meetings and the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month for its informal work sessions. The Regular meetings and work sessions begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers located on the 5th floor of City Hall at 316 N. 26th St.

The City is not responsible for vital records such as birth and death certificates. For information on obtaining a copy of your Montana birth certificate, contact the Yellowstone County Clerk and Recorder's office at 406-256-2785.

All elections are conducted by the Yellowstone County Elections Department regardless of whether they are local school board, city or county elections, or state and/or national elections. For information on becoming registered, contact the County Elections Office at 406-256-2740.

All wireless and VoIP phone subscribers within Billings and Yellowstone County who wish to receive emergency notifications should register their telephone numbers on the Everbridge website.

No. All of the information you enter will feed directly into the Everbridge secure database. This information can only be accessed by system administrators and the data will never be sold or distributed to third parties.

You will receive phone calls when the notification system is activated and your address is within the geographic area chosen to receive the notification message. The notification system will only be activated for emergency purposes during incidents that pose a risk to public safety or when emergency services officials may ask for the public’s assistance during a crisis incident.

Yes. You can enter your landline phone number into the Opt-In website. 

Your telephone number can only be in the database once but can be used for notifications of five different locations. 

Yes. If you enter an address that does not exist you will not be in the database and will not be contacted when the notification system is activated.

Your phone number should be ready to receive emergency notifications immediately. 

There are no fees to create an Everbridge account. The cost of notification services is paid by the Billings City/County 9-1-1 Center with the 9-1-1 fees associated with your telephone bill.

Everbridge has TDD/TTY capabilities to assist those individuals.

Yes. You will not receive the notification call with a blocked telephone number.

We are located at 1735 Monad Road just east of the Par-3 Exchange City Golf Course.

City Ordinance Section 4-431 requires that the owner of every dog/cat kept in the city shall register the dog / cat. Please contact us for further information at (406) 657-8226.

Animal-Ordinance Document 

Monday thru Friday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Closed Holidays and Weekends

In addition to a business license, the business needs a Temporary Use Permit from the Planning Division if your mobile or seasonal business is continuously located in the same spot for more than 3 days at a time. For example, if you park your food truck at the same parking lot every day and leave it there overnight for more than 3 days, you will need a Temporary Use Permit. The permit must be accompanied by a site permit including building size, location, dimensions of the lot and measurements to meet setbacks, traffic flow, stacking of vehicles (if applicable), parking, and exits. Your kiosk or food cart may not block exits and must comply with clear vision for street traffic. Temporary Use Permits must also be signed by the property owner. Temporary Use Permits may be renewable for locations where the use is located year round, such as a coffee kiosk. Seasonal (not a full year) uses cannot be renewed – a new permit is required each year. A renewal of a permit must be submitted at least 30 days in advance of expiration. Temporary structures that will be in place for longer than 90 consecutive days require a $1650 bond to accompany the application.

The IT (Information Technology) Department is located at Cityhall.

City of Billings Covid-19 Website

Our previous system had no reporting capabilities, making data retrieval nearly impossible. It couldn't send service orders electronically to our meter service technicians, so we used paper, manually divided tasks between the service techs, and arranged them by location as best we could.  The legacy system also lacked accurate data needed for our Geographic Information System – GIS, which plays a vital role in managing our critical infrastructure.

The new system offers a robust electronic service order system and routes the service orders to be most efficient geographically. With over 500 miles of water main, more than 32,000 water meters, 13 pump stations, 18 storage reservoirs, over 4,700 fire hydrants, and soon-to-be two water treatment plants, we rely on accurate data to make smart decisions about maintaining and improving our system. This new billing system will ensure we can manage these resources efficiently and provide reliable service for Billings. 

The primary reason for the long delays in issuing bills is the data in the software system we converted from. We have always had issues with that software when trying to get data out of the system. While every effort was made to transfer as much accurate information as possible and test it thoroughly, there was still a large amount of missing data and corrections needed before issuing bills. The billing system “bugs” have been addressed, and while we expect more might come up, the bills should be back on schedule after mid-November. We do not anticipate any future bills covering longer than a 30-day period. 

The upgrade was initially planned for February but had to be delayed twice due to issues with the old system. The conversion took place in May, and the first bills on the new system went out in June. The delay didn't occur until after we got through the first cycle. If the problems had appeared before the first bills went out, we would have waited until the fall to transition. 

Our team is working closely with the vendor to ensure all bills are accurate, which is why the process has taken longer than expected. While we’re committed to getting this right, we understand the frustration this has caused and truly appreciate your patience! We agree that the timing of the system conversion wasn't ideal, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

If you enrolled in paperless billing before the conversion, your enrollment should have carried over, and you’ll be able to view your statements online. If you receive statements in the mail and want to enroll in paperless, sign in to your account online and update your bill delivery preference under your profile. 

For customers enrolled in automatic bill payment, the total amount due will be deducted on the due date listed on the bill. 

Use the online account portal to make adjustments by selecting 'payments,' then 'payment methods.' If you encounter any issues, message us on Facebook, call us at (406)657-8315 (option 3) , or email utilities@billingsmt.gov . Be sure to provide your service address and autopay cancellation request, and our customer service team can turn off autopay.

If you have any questions about your bill, please do not hesitate to reach us at 1(406)657-8315, option 3, or by email at utilities@billingsmt.gov  

A contract was signed with SL-serco on Oct. 31, 2024. 

Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, SL-serco has offered utility consulting for over 60 years. They specialize in field troubleshooting, data analysis, project management, and industry training for water, electric, and gas utilities.

A representative from independent contractor SL-serco Inc. will travel to Billings and begin examining residential meters on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024.

The firm randomly selected residential customers they would like to visit to conduct an electronic review of the home’s water meter and began scheduling appointments on Nov. 1, 2024.

The following is a list of tasks agreed to by the City and SL-Serco. 

CONSULTANT RESPONSIBILITIES:

•Communicate the impact of client requests for adjustments to service

•Perform project status and compliance reporting monthly.

•Determine if the measurement of water consumption was converted appropriately and billed accurately in accordance with data stored in Neptune 360.

•Determine if the last meter reading in the legacy system was imported correctly into VertexOne.

•Determine if customers were billed according to approved rate schedules.

•Determine if prorations between fiscal years and tiers was calculated accurately.

•Determine if the billing data from VertexOne was correctly reflected on the bill image.

•Determine if wastewater charges were calculated correctly.

•Determine if storm and garbage fees were billed correctly based on the abnormal billing periods. Verify proration if applicable.

•Verify that billing cycles and periods were maintained correctly (i.e., no double billing for same or overlapping periods).

•Verify that automatic payments for customers on autopay match what was billed (i.e., no extra debits have been taken).

•Review the CITY’S decision-making process and public communication related to the bills in question. Document where CONSULTANT observes opportunities for process and communication improvements.

•Review summary bill process and multi-account holders online access compared to the industry best practice.

•Report findings to staff and council including a description of the processes used throughout the review and a presentation at a public council meeting.

CITY RESPONSIBILITIES:

•Tracking and payment of invoices within 30-day terms.

•Provide feedback as needed throughout the project as well as at the end.

•Provide data from current and past billing systems as needed.

•Provide access to the Neptune Advanced Metering System.

•Assist with access to meter locations.

•Make staff available to discuss billing processes, fees, rates, etc.

•Review data and findings as the Audit proceeds, as needed.

SL-serco will select accounts at random to thoroughly examine every detail of the billing process.

The number of meters and accounts examined will be determined by the firm to provide the necessary statistically valid data needed for the audit.

The firm will select accounts at random. This allows the firm to create statistically valid data needed for the audit.

Findings will be available once the entire audit is complete. Upon completion, a representative of SL-serco will present the audit results to the Billings City Council during a public meeting.

The price of the audit service is $33,000.

The City also decided to proceed with additional meter testing, which will cost an estimated $42,500. This optional step brings the audit’s total to $75,500.

During the additional meter testing, residential water meters will be randomly selected, and with the property owner’s approval, will be physically removed and tested for accuracy.

SL-serco will hire a third party to conduct the water meter testing and will compile the results into a secondary report.

Since the firm selection process began, residents have been understandably concerned about who will pay for the audit’s cost.

At this moment, the payment will come from utility finances. If the audit reveals that another entity is responsible for any errors, the city will pursue a remedy.

City administration will update our community on SL-serco’s progress via social media and the City website. Although the results won’t be shared until the report is complete, we will announce when the firm reaches significant audit milestones.

During the firm selection process, the City researched several agencies and requested additional information from three finalists. SL-serco was selected because they can analyze everything from meter to bill, whereas other companies specialized in a subset of the desired audit.

We encourage you to use the information provided on this page to assess your bill. 

Alternatively, you can email, call, or direct message us on Facebook, but please be aware that, given the volume of questions, the response could take up to two weeks. 

We understand there is a due date on the bill, but if you have sent a message and are awaiting a response, you can wait to pay until you hear back from us without a penalty or late fee. 

Isolated errors primarily due to human error have been found. While errors have not been found in the new billing software process to date, an audit is underway to ensure the accuracy of the bills. Visit the Audit FAQs tab to learn more.  

Bills have been mailed at unusual times compared to historical 30-day utility bills.  

We've put together an example of a monthly billing schedule to help you review your bills and know what to expect moving forward. 

Your schedule may have different dates, but the general example of the billing periods should be the same unless you were one of the few customers who received a 3-month bill.  

To check your billing period, look at the top right side of the bill for the period of each billing cycle.  

The dates should be the same from the end of one period to the beginning of the next (e.g., 8/5-9/5 and 9/5-10/5). 

To avoid overlap, the time of day meter readings are taken will rotate from one billing cycle to the next. For example, for the first bill, meter readings are taken during the day, and then for the following bill, the meter will be read in the hours after. 

•Rate increases were effective at the start of the new fiscal year on 7/1.  

•Stormwater fees were previously part of your taxes. The stormwater fee was removed from taxes and placed onto your utility bill. 

•The garbage charge is based on the bill date, not the service date, so it sometimes covers periods longer than 30 days. See the FAQ below - Why doesn’t my solid waste (garbage fee) look right? 

•On average, water, wastewater, and solid waste fees increased by 7.8%.  

•Learn about Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater  fees. 

We understand if you need a few months to catch up on your utility bill. If that's the case, you do not need to contact us for now.

We are not currently offering payment plans because we are not charging late fees. 

You can make payments as you can, and if you are not caught up when late fees are reinstated, we can set up a payment plan at that time. 

The meter that records water consumption has not changed with this conversion. Meters are tested before they are installed; if they fail, they read low or do not read at all. Due to the type of meters in the system, they do not increase consumption over time or when they have problems. Click here to watch a video to see how meters are tested for accuracy.

Due to the hot weather, the city's overall water consumption increased by 29% from the same time last year, as shown in the graph. While not everyone's use was 29% higher, the overall system demand was 29% higher, which means usage increased for some properties and decreased for others. 

 As a large-scale gut check, we looked at how much water was produced in June, July, and August 2024 and how much the meters read for all accounts. The plant produced 3,453 MG, and we billed for 2,932 MG, which is a difference of 15%. The last estimation for unaccounted-for water was 14%, so these numbers are reasonable. We will continue to monitor our unaccounted-for water to ensure it continues to track consistently. 

Please remember that charges for solid waste services are based on the date the bill is posted. Since the bills have been mailed more than 30 days apart, the service period for solid waste has been greater than 30 days for many customers. The garbage fee will be at the normal monthly rate when the cycles are back to 30 days, and there will be a month that is less than a full 30-day fee before that. See the images below that further explain the calculation. 

The 2020-2023 summer water consumption numbers are available here. Instructions will guide you in looking up your past account balances. 

Late fees and shut-offs were suspended when the billing conversion went live due to concerns about the accuracy of the bills.  Since the conversion, the City has worked with customers to ensure bills are accurate. After almost 1 ½ years, the regular process for late fees and shut-offs is set to commence for outstanding balances from the November bill.  Depending on the billing cycle, late fees will start in December and January and turnoffs will commence in January and February.  In order to avoid late fees, please pay the balance on the bill.  If that is not possible, we are happy to work with you to set up a payment plan.  Entering into a payment plan and meeting the plan's requirements will avoid shut-off of service.   

We strongly encourage customers to reserve an approximate amount that will be due based on previous years’ bills during the same time frame. Some customers have decided to make payments for anticipated amounts to ensure that they do not spend that money on other items. 

The new online portal is accountadmin.billingsmtpublicworks.gov 

If you’ve received an email notification from Billings Public Works that your bill is ready, please follow the links on the email to view your invoice, pay your bill, or log into the online portal to manage your utilities. 

Here’s a video tutorial and a detailed written guide with screenshots on how to do so.  

Remember, if you ever logged into the old system, use your email and password from the existing system to log in – do not create a new user.  If you can’t remember it, put in your email and click “forgot password.”  If it does not recognize the email, use your account number to create a new account. If it does recognize you, reset your password, but do not create a new account. 

Besides already having an account (see above), the biggest reason people are not able to create a new account is that they put too much information in when creating a new online account. If you enter more than one field, it will not work. The easiest way is to use the number of your house – in other words, if you live at 123 Main Street, enter “123” and nothing else. Leave SSN and Date of Birth blank.   

Please utilize the automated phone payment system at (406)657-8315 (Option 1) or pay with a check and mail it to our Customer Service Center, 2251 Belknap Ave, Billings MT 59101. You can also drop off a check in person at the service center.

If you have any questions about your bill, please do not hesitate to reach us at 1(406)657-8315 (option 3), or by email at utilities@billingsmt.gov  

The new online portal is accountadmin.billingsmtpublicworks.gov 

If you’ve received an email notification from Billings Public Works that your bill is ready, please follow the links on the email to view your invoice, pay your bill, or log into the online portal to manage your utilities. 

Here’s a video tutorial and a detailed written guide with screenshots on how to do so.  

Remember, if you ever logged into the old system, use your email and password from the existing system to log in – do not create a new user.  If you can’t remember it, put in your email and click “forgot password.”  If it does not recognize the email, use your account number to create a new account. If it does recognize you, reset your password, but do not create a new account. 

Besides already having an account (see above), the biggest reason people are not able to create a new account is that they put too much information in when creating a new online account. If you enter more than one field, it will not work. The easiest way is to use the number of your house – in other words, if you live at 123 Main Street, enter “123” and nothing else. Leave SSN and Date of Birth blank.   

Please utilize the automated phone payment system at (406)657-8315 (Option 1) or pay with a check and mail it to our Customer Service Center, 2251 Belknap Ave, Billings MT 59101. You can also drop off a check in person at the service center.