Yes, Montana’s state law defers to local ordinances, but most cities prohibit goats within city limits due to zoning and nuisance concerns. Billings and Missoula explicitly ban goats in residential zones, while Bozeman allows them only with a 2026 conditional-use permit requiring 2-acre lots and setback distances. Violations may trigger fines or impoundment under municipal codes.
Key Regulations for Keeping Goats in the City in Montana
- Zoning Restrictions: Goats are classified as livestock under Montana’s Uniform Building Code, triggering residential-zoning prohibitions in Billings (Zoning Ordinance §18-203), Missoula (Municipal Code §17.50.030), and Helena (City Code §18.40.050). Exceptions require rezoning or agricultural overlay permits.
- Nuisance Provisions: Cities enforce noise (bleating) and odor ordinances; Bozeman’s 2026 update (Ordinance 2026-04) mandates soundproof enclosures and weekly manure removal to avoid citations under §8.12.010.
- Permit Requirements: Only Great Falls (City Code §17.36.040) permits goats with a $150 annual license, health inspections, and a 50-foot setback from property lines. Applications must include a waste management plan approved by the Cascade County Sanitarian.