The Billings, MT noise ordinance sets maximum decibel levels by zoning district under Chapter 17 of the city code, bans vehicle sound systems that are plainly audible from 50 feet under Chapter 24, and treats 8:00 p.m. as the start of nighttime limits in residential areas. Complaints go to the Billings Police Department non-emergency line, not the city’s general code enforcement form.
Decibel Limits by Zone
Section 17-103 divides the city into four zone types and sets a daytime and nighttime cap for each. Daytime runs from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Nighttime runs from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.1NoNoise.org. Billings, Montana Noise Ordinance Chapter 17
- Residential: 65 dB(A) day, 55 dB(A) night
- Light commercial: 80 dB(A) day, 60 dB(A) night
- Heavy commercial: 85 dB(A) day, 70 dB(A) night
- Industrial: 90 dB(A) day, 80 dB(A) night
Where two zones share a boundary, the lower limit controls. A residential yard that backs up to a heavy commercial lot is governed by the residential cap for any sound crossing that property line.1NoNoise.org. Billings, Montana Noise Ordinance Chapter 17
When Quiet Hours Actually Start
Many residents assume the nighttime limit starts at 10:00 p.m. In Billings it starts at 8:00 p.m. That matters most in residential zones, where the cap drops from 65 dB(A) to 55 dB(A). A backyard gathering, outdoor speaker, or power tool that was legal at 7:55 can be a violation five minutes later.1NoNoise.org. Billings, Montana Noise Ordinance Chapter 17
Car Stereos and the 50-Foot Rule
Chapter 24 covers amplified sound from vehicles. Under Section 24-352, no driver or passenger may operate a stereo, speaker, or other amplification device so that the sound is “plainly audible” at 50 feet or more from the vehicle. The rule applies on both public and private property.2City of Billings. Billings, Montana City Code – Amending Noise BMCC 24-351
The standard is based on human hearing, not a meter. An officer determines whether the sound can be clearly heard along a direct line of sight at 50 feet. Lyrics do not need to be intelligible, and bass vibrations count. Chapter 24 works alongside Montana’s state regulation of motor vehicle noise under Title 61, Chapter 9 of the Montana Code Annotated.2City of Billings. Billings, Montana City Code – Amending Noise BMCC 24-351
Officers can cite the driver or any occupant who controlled the system. Repeat offenders within a short period face progressively stiffer fines, and habitual violators may be required to appear in municipal court.
Construction, Mowing, and Other Exemptions
Construction, home repair, and grounds maintenance are exempt from the decibel limits between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Outside that window, those activities lose the exemption and must meet the nighttime cap for the zone — in a residential area, below 55 dB(A) after 8:00 p.m.1NoNoise.org. Billings, Montana Noise Ordinance Chapter 17
Motorized lawnmowers get their own exemption, but only if they have a proper muffler. An unmuffled mower that exceeds the zone cap can draw a citation even during daytime hours.1NoNoise.org. Billings, Montana Noise Ordinance Chapter 17
Section 17-104 also carves out emergency vehicles and warning signals, unanticipated repairs after storms or utility failures, city trash collection and street and snow work, noise from public parks and schools between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and stadium or special events held under an approved waiver.1NoNoise.org. Billings, Montana Noise Ordinance Chapter 17
How Officers Measure Noise
Enforcement officers measure at 25 feet from the source or at the lot boundary, whichever is greater. The 25-foot minimum prevents readings taken right next to the equipment.1NoNoise.org. Billings, Montana Noise Ordinance Chapter 17
There is a second filter that catches complainants off guard. A sound only violates the ordinance if it registers at least 10 dB(A) above the existing ambient level at the time of measurement. A noise that technically exceeds the table limits may not be citable when background noise from traffic or wind is already elevated.1NoNoise.org. Billings, Montana Noise Ordinance Chapter 17
How to Report a Noise Complaint
Do not use the general Code Enforcement Complaint Form on the city website. That form states on its face that it should not be used for noise concerns. The city routes all noise complaints to the Billings Police Department at (406) 657-8200.3City of Billings, MT. Complaint Form
Have the address of the source ready, a description of what you are hearing, and how long it has been going on. If the noise is happening right now, an officer may be dispatched to observe and take a reading. For recurring problems, keep a log of dates, times, and durations so officers have something concrete when they schedule follow-up visits. If multiple households are affected, independent reports from each give enforcement a clearer picture of scope and persistence.
Noise Waivers for Events
If you are planning an event or project that will exceed the standard limits or run outside the exempt hours, you can apply for a noise waiver. The city administrator’s office oversees the process, with input from police, parks, building, and engineering staff as needed.4No Noise. Billings Code Chapter 17 – Noise
The application fee is $20, by check or card; no cash. Submit the form at least 10 business days before the event, and expect up to five business days for review after that. Print the form from the city’s permits page and drop it off in person at the police front desk in City Hall, 316 North 26th Street, 4th floor.5City of Billings, MT. Permits and Forms
A waiver covers a specific duration and location — an outdoor concert running past 8:00 p.m., for example, or pre-dawn construction. It does not grant blanket permission for any level of noise; it moves the enforcement window for the approved activity.
Train Horns Are Not Covered
Billings sits along active rail corridors, and train horns are one of the most common complaints the city code cannot do anything about. Federal law requires locomotive engineers to sound horns at a minimum of 96 decibels and up to 110 decibels when approaching a public highway-rail crossing, in a pattern of two long blasts, one short, and one long, beginning at least 15 seconds before the crossing.6Federal Railroad Administration. Train Horns and Quiet Zones
Because these are federal requirements under 49 CFR Part 222, the city ordinance cannot restrict them. The only local tool is a “quiet zone,” which requires the city or county to apply as a public authority and install extra safety measures at each crossing. Even inside a quiet zone, engineers can still sound horns in emergencies.6Federal Railroad Administration. Train Horns and Quiet Zones
If train noise is your main concern, contacting a city council representative about quiet zone feasibility is more productive than calling police dispatch, since officers have no authority to enforce local decibel caps against federally mandated horn use.
Renters and Noise From Neighbors
Montana law gives tenants the right to quiet enjoyment of their rental, which includes freedom from excessive noise caused by other tenants in the same building. If a neighboring tenant’s noise is disrupting your ability to live comfortably, notify your landlord in writing with the specific problem and a reasonable chance to address it.
If the landlord does not act, you can still call the Billings Police non-emergency line for the immediate disturbance, and you can ask a court to order the landlord to fix the situation. Breaking the lease is a last resort reserved for genuinely serious violations; if a judge later finds the problem was not severe enough, you can be held liable for the remaining rent and the landlord’s legal fees.