Demolition / Moving Permit in Billings, Montana
VerifiedRequired for demolition or removal of any building within Billings city limits, and for moving a structure. Governed by City Code Chapter 6, Article 6-1000 (Demolition and Moving of Buildings), Division 3.
Verified 2026-07-02 · Source
When you need this permit
- Demolition permit required before demolishing or removing any building within city limits (City Code Sec. 6-1040)
- Owner or representative must post a $10,000.00 site bond per lot with the City Clerk at City Hall to ensure site cleanup (no bond required in the county)
- Contractors performing demolition work within city limits must be bonded and licensed by the city
- Application requires a notarized signature of the owner or the owner's representative, filed per structure (one permit per structure, one bond per site)
- Owner must obtain written verification from utility companies that all affected utilities have been disconnected before work begins
- Applicant must remove footings, foundation walls, and floor slabs; sewer and water lines must be capped per Public Utilities Department specifications; septic tanks removed or pumped and filled per Health Department requirements
- All demolition provisions must be inspected and signed off by the Building Division before backfilling
- Property must be filled, leveled, and cleared of debris within 30 days after building removal
- A right-of-way permit (issued by the Public Utilities Department) is required for street opening to cut off water piping to the main, if needed
- Contact the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (444-5300) regarding asbestos/NESHAP regulations, and Billings Solid Waste Division (657-8260) regarding asbestos disposal at the Billings Landfill
Required documents
- Required
Demolition Permit Application
City of Billings demolition permit application, notarized signature of owner/representative required for each structure
- Required
Site Bond ($10,000)
Filed with the City Clerk at City Hall, per lot/site, to insure site cleanup
- Optional
Moving Permit Application
Required for moving a building within or into city limits
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition Permit Fee | Applicable fee per City of Billings fee schedule plus $10,000.00 bond filed with City Clerk (city limits only; no bond required in the county) | City of Billings Demolition Permit Requirements/Checklist; City Code Chapter 6, Article 6-1000, Division 3, Sec. 6-1043 (Fees) |
Review timeline
~4–7 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Billings building department
Inspection process
- 1
Pre-Backfill
Footing/foundation removal, sewer/water line capping, and septic tank removal/fill must be inspected and signed off by the Building Division before backfilling
- 2
Final
Site restoration complete (holes filled, property leveled, debris and junk removed) within 30 days of building removal; bond released after final inspection
Tips
- The $10,000 site bond is per lot and is only required for demolition within city limits — not required in unincorporated Yellowstone County.
- If the applicant fails to complete demolition/restoration within 30 days (and after 10 days' written notice), the City may complete the work itself and recover costs from the posted bond.
- Contact Montana DEQ (444-5300) about asbestos/NESHAP requirements before demolition, and Billings Solid Waste (657-8260) about landfill disposal requirements.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the demolition bond in Billings?
- A $10,000.00 site bond per lot must be filed with the City Clerk at City Hall for demolition within Billings city limits. No bond is required for demolition in unincorporated Yellowstone County. Source: City of Billings Demolition Permit Requirements/Checklist and City Code Sec. 6-1042.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
- City of Billings Building Division — official building department
- Demolition Permit Requirements/Checklist (PDF) | City of Billings
- Moving Permit Application (PDF) | City of Billings
- Applications and Forms | City of Billings
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Billings building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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