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Engineering Division

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1. If I put my yard debris in the street, will the City pick it up?

No. Lawn clippings, tree branches and the like should be put in your dumpster or taken directly to the landfill. Call (406) 657-8260 for additional information.

2. How does the City determine where curb ramps will be installed?

ADA accessible curb ramps are installed on all newly constructed corners. Curb ramps are installed anytime an existing corner requires reconstruction. Some new ramps are constructed with new subdivisions and some will be replaced in the downtown area or installed where none exist.

To request information on a curb ramp, call the City Engineer's Office at (406) 657-8231.

3. How do I get permission to remove a street tree?

Contact the Forestry Superintendent in the City of Billings Parks Department at (406) 657-8372.

4. What contingency plans has the City of Billings Public Works Department made to deal with emergencies?

The Public Works Department is:

• Prepared to do first response activities for snow or ice, flood fighting, debris removal, and mud slide clearance


• The lead Department in the city's response to weather related emergencies


• A support partner with Fire and Police to coordinate emergency response when they are the lead Departments (hazardous materials spills, etc.)

5. What can be done about cleaning streets that have parked cars?

Effective street cleaning operations require the cooperation of residents. Residents can help by using off street parking when available and by reporting abandoned vehicles.

You can call (406) 657-8250 to find out when the sweeper will be in your area.

6. Where can contractors get information to bid on city sidewalk repair work?

The City of Billings advertises all major city contracts in the Billings Times. Information can also be obtained at the City Engineer's Office at (406) 657-8231.

Current City advertisements appear here.

7. How do I report conditions after an emergency?

• Life threatening conditions, like hazardous materials spills, to 9-1-1.


• Downed or arcing wires to your power company, Northwestern Energy, (888) 467-2353.


• Non-life threatening public works emergencies (flooding, trees down in the street) to the Street Traffic Division at (406) 657-8250 during regular business hours or to the Dispatch Center at (406) 657-8200 after hours and on weekends.

8. How frequently are streets cleaned?

The Downtown Central Business District is cleaned five nights per week. Arterial streets are cleaned approximately ten times per year. Residential streets are cleaned approximately every six weeks.

9. How can I improve the cleanliness of my neighborhood?

We recommend the following:

• Watch for notices announcing street cleaners on your block and remove your vehicle from the street.


• Remove grass or weeds that grow in the gutter between your curb and the street. This will reduce the accumulation of dirt and debris in front of your house, and will improve water run off during rainstorms.


• Report abandoned autos to the City’s complaint line at (406) 247-8590.


• Properly trim your street trees so that the street sweepers can clean next to the curb without damaging overhanging limbs. Contact the City Forester at (406) 657-8368 for a permit and trimming tips for maintaining a healthy, beautiful tree.


• Organize or participate in neighborhood cleanups.


• If you own a pet, obey the City’s “scoop law”. Your neighbors will appreciate you for it.


• Teach your children the benefits of a clean neighborhood and encourage them to dispose of litter properly.

10. Is street cleaning really necessary? Couldn’t we make better use of the funds that are now spent on street cleaning?

Street cleaning is necessary to protect health and safety, as well as preserve the livability of the community. Street cleaning removes debris from the street that would otherwise create traffic problems and deteriorate the street surface. Street cleaning also protects the air and water quality by removing dirt and debris that would otherwise be dispersed in the air or in local streams through street runoff.

11. What do I do to get my street improved?

In order to get your street improved, the majority of the property owners along the street apply for a Special Improvement District (SID). The city designs (or hires a consulting engineer to provide these services) the project and property owners pay the costs of design and construction. For more information, call the City Engineers office at (406) 657-8321.

12. Whom do I contact about potholes?

Contact Street Maintenance Division at (406) 657-8250, be prepared to report the specific location of the pothole (at the NW corner of Main & Hilltop or in front of 417 Lewis Avenue, for example)

13. Does the City have plans to maintain my street?

For information on existing or future street maintenance projects, call the City Engineer's Office, (406) 657-8231.

14. Why isn’t there money to fix my street when I pay a lot of property taxes?

The city gets about 25% of your property taxes to spend on all city operations - Police, Fire, Parks, etc. Gas tax revenue is money designated for street maintenance and repair. Since the funds are limited, streets that provide maximum use to the majority of citizens receive first priority. Unimproved streets continuously deteriorate making their maintenance a poor expenditure of the whole community’s limited resources. When the adjacent property owners improve their street, gas tax dollars will pay for the maintenance. For more information, call (406) 657-8231.

15. Why isn't the City maintaining my annexed street?

Both the City's and Yellowstone County's policies on street maintenance require that a street be constructed or improved under a permit issued by the governing agency and the work accepted before either agency will maintain the street. The construction or improvement is the responsibility of the abutting property owners. The process that you can use to get your street improved is the Special Improvement District (SID) process.

16. Why are you not working on my street? It seems they are fixing the streets all around but not mine.

There are many reasons for this.

Street maintenance may conflict with excavation work planned by a utility (phone, gas, cable TV, water, sewer, storm drainage...) company, so street maintenance work is being deferred.

Your street may not be maintained by the City because it is an unimproved street, a state route, or outside City limits.

The City of Billings has a pavement management system for prioritizing major street maintenance (chip-seals and overlays). Streets are rated in a process of visual inspections. Your street may be scheduled for low cost maintenance designed to keep streets from deteriorating. Other streets in worse condition may be scheduled for major reconstruction in the future.

Pothole patching is done on an area by size basis. Work in your area may simply be scheduled for a later date.

If you have questions about street repair call the City Engineer's Office at (406) 657-8231 or Street Traffic Division at (406) 657-8250.

17. Where can I get leaf compost for my yard or garden?

The City uses leaves picked up from parks and streets for their own projects, including reclamation at the landfill. They presently do not have any compost for sale.

18. Where can I dispose of leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste?

The City's landfill has a special composting area set aside for clean leaves, grass clippings and similar items. The compost is used to reclaim sections of the landfill as they are closed to use. The City also participates in a Christmas tree chipping program after Christmas each year. Call (406) 657-8260 for details on all of the City's "Recycle & Re-Use" programs

19. Where can I get asphalt grindings?

The City retains most asphalt millings (asphaltic pavement ground off the street surface prior to repaving) for use on park trails, temporary roads at the landfill, or mixing with gravel for alley maintenance. The Montana Department of Transportation, Yellowstone County or local contractors may have millings available. Please be aware that millings are NOT approved for parking lots.

20. I reported graffiti in my area last week, why is it still there?

Eliminating graffiti discourages more graffiti. To report graffiti on city property call (406) 657-8267. For graffiti not on city property call the Billings Police Department.

21. How do I get a stop sign installed on my corner?

To request any kind of new sign or pavement marking, call the City Traffic Engineer at (406) 657-8231.

22. What is the city doing about graffiti on traffic and parking signs?

We are exploring different strategies to protect signs from graffiti including pretreating signs with special coating or film overlays. We use special cleaning compounds to minimize damage to the signs. Traffic maintenance crews will remove graffiti or replace signs as needed. To report graffiti on traffic signs call (406) 657-8250.

23. How can I get a STOP sign installed on my street to slow traffic?

STOP signs are not designed to slow traffic. STOP signs assign right of way at an intersection. Studies have shown that average mid-block speeds often increase where signs are installed on a "nuisance" basis in an attempt to control speeds. Such stop signs also lead to increased noise from acceleration and breaking. For further details on STOP sign regulations, call the City Traffic Engineer at (406) 657-8231.

24. How can I get a speed bump on my street?

The City is no longer installing speed bumps on public streets.

25. How do I report a traffic sign which is missing or damaged?

Call the Street Traffic Division at (406) 657-8250. Be prepared to give an accurate description of the location.

26. What does the City do about trees and shrubs covering up signs?

Adjacent property owners are required by city code to keep trees and vegetation trimmed clear of streets, sidewalks, and signs. You can report signs that are covered or blocked by shrubs, trees and foliage by contacting the Street Traffic Division at (406) 657-8250.

27. How can I report a broken parking meter?

Call (406) 657-8412 and report the location and problem with the meter. Report the meter number if you know it.

28. Who maintains the street lights?

The City of Billings maintains the street lights in city owned street light districts. Northwestern Energy maintains the street lights in Northwestern Energy owned street light districts and also maintains the street lights owned by the Montana Department of Transportation. With over 7,500 street lights in Billings, we encourage citizen reports to notify us of outages. The City does not maintain any lighting on private property.

29. How do I report a street light that is not working?

Street light problems should be reported to the City at (406) 657-8231 or by e-mail. We will determine responsibility for maintenance and notify the appropriate personnel. Simple bulb changes are usually completed in 3-5 working days. Electrical problems may require more time. Please provide a description of the problem and a location complete with the nearest address. Email Engineers

30. How do I get a new street light installed?

Street lighting in Billings is installed through the creation of a Special Improvement Light Maintenance District (SILMD). This process is governed by state law. We initially ask for a petition from the neighborhood that is requesting street lighting. We will work with the neighborhood to create an SILMD if over 50% of the property owners indicate a willingness to proceed with the street lighting. The costs for the lighting will be assessed to the property owners in the district. Average residential costs are around $100 – $120 per year for an average size lot. Contact the City at (406) 657-8231 or by e-mailing us for more information. Email Engineers

31. How do I get a street light installed to illuminate an intersection?

The City strongly discourages the installation of single lights. They typically do not fit the pole spacing pattern required when the full street is lighted and therefore have to be removed and replaced. It is also very difficult to get neighborhood concurrence in creating a light maintenance district for a single light.

32. Why does my street light bulb blink?

Today’s street light bulbs are regulated by a ballast. As the bulbs get older, they become less efficient and burn hotter. The ballasts will automatically shut off current to the bulbs at a certain temperature. The bulb will go out and cool down to a point where the ballast will re-energize the bulb. This cycle will continue until the bulb is changed, or the ballast is ruined. "Blinkers" should be reported and repaired promptly to minimize maintenance costs. See How do I report a street light that is not working?

33. How long do the street light bulbs last?

The street light bulbs usually last five years.

34. How do I report a traffic signal that is not working?

The city maintains all the traffic signals within the Billings city limits, those on State routes are maintained by the City under a maintenance contract with the Montana Department of Transportation. To report a problem with a traffic signal, call (406) 657-8250. Be prepared to state the location, nature of the problem, name of observer, and give your phone number.

35. Why isn't there a traffic signal at _________?

Traffic signals are expensive to install and operate. The average new signal costs $100,000 for design and construction. It costs approximately $2,200 per year per signalized intersection (on average) for electrical energy and maintenance. Because each signal represents such a significant investment, the City wants to make sure they are only installed where needed and that locations with the greatest need are installed first.

In 1993, the City Council commissioned a study by Marvin and Associates, a local traffic engineering firm, to determine where signals were needed and to prioritize needs. This study is updated periodically by the Traffic Engineering staff to take into account changing traffic volumes and more current accident data. The City Council typically budgets one new signal each year from this list. They have been historically installed in priority order, unless installation with a street reconstruction project makes more sense.

Please keep in mind that traffic signals are predominately a means of assigning which vehicles have the right of way at an intersection. The number of accidents often increases at a location after a signal has been installed, although the most common type of accident may change from right angle accidents to rear-end accidents.

36. Who determines the traffic signal timing?

The City Traffic Engineer and the Street Traffic Division signal technicians.

37. Do traffic signals operate on different cycles?

Yes. A fixed cycle traffic signal serves traffic coming from each direction and operates regardless of the presence of vehicles. Other signals have vehicle detection and only change when a vehicle approaches the detector which triggers the signal to change.

38. Why don’t you allow more time for pedestrian crossing?

Intersections are designed and programmed to allow adequate time for the pedestrians to cross safely. Pedestrians may only enter the crosswalk when the sign says “WALK” or shows the white neon “person”. The flashing "Don't Walk" is like the yellow light for a vehicle. It provides time to complete your crossing if already started, but you should not enter the crosswalk on a flashing "Don't Walk".

39. Whom do I call with storm drain problems, comments, questions?

Sanitary sewer (the sewer servicing your house) questions should be referred to the Public Utilities Department at (406) 657-8307. Storm drain questions should be directed to the Street Traffic Division at (406) 657-8250.

40. Why do street drains flood every time it rains?

Build up from street debris or leaf fall accumulates at storm grates or in the winter may be blocked by ice and snow. If you want to help, you can use a shovel or rake to clear off the top of the grate. If this does not correct the problem, notify the Street Traffic Division at (406) 657-8250.

Also, it is not cost effective to build storm drain pipes large enough to handle every storm. Local streets are designed to be temporarily covered by water during heavy thunderstorms.

41. My neighbor directs storm run-off to my property. What can I do?

The City is responsible for seeing the drainage from public streets is properly handled. Water flowing onto your property from privately owned property is a matter between the private property owners. We suggest you talk with your neighbor and work together to arrive at solution. The City has no specific codes or jurisdiction over storm drainage from one lot flowing into another private lot.

42. When will the City come to clean out the plugged street drain?

During heavy storms, Street Traffic Division crews are very busy and cannot be everywhere at once. The Division appreciates help from the public. If there is a plugged storm drain or grate over a culvert adjacent to your property, we encourage you to take preventive measures, if you are able, and clear it out rather than wait to report a problem. To report a drainage problem call, (406) 657-8250.

43. There is a storm drainage assessment on my property tax statement. If there is no inlet on my street, why do I pay this fee?

The fee is to help pay to build a storm drainage system that will prevent a combined sewer overflow into the Yellowstone River.

44. What is a sidewalk hazard?

Sidewalk inspectors look for hazards that cause people to trip and fall. For example, sidewalks that are raised, badly cracked, or which have holes and rough spots or damage by tree roots may be hazardous. Guidelines suggest lips or settlement exceeding 3/4 inch may be considered a hazard. Hazards may be reported to the City Complaint Line at (406) 657-8267.

45. Why did I get this Sidewalk Repair Notice?

City code states that public sidewalks are to be maintained by the adjacent property owners. If a citizen complains about an unsafe sidewalk, it will be inspected after the complaint is received. If it is found to be hazardous, a repair notice will be sent to the adjoining property owner.

46. How do I get sidewalk repairs made?

Once they are notified that a hazard exists, property owners have 30 days to complete repairs either by doing the work themselves, hiring a contractor or asking the city to make repairs. A City Permit is required for sidewalk repair within the street right-of-way. Fees are based on the lineal footage of sidewalk being replaced. The City also provides property owners with an inspection to be sure that the repair is completed according to city code. Permits can be obtained at the City Engineer's Office, 510 North Broadway - 4th Floor Parmly Library, Billings, MT 59101. Call (406) 657-8231.

47. Does a property owner need a permit to complete sidewalk repairs?

Yes. Property owners who complete their own work in the right of way must obtain a permit from the City Engineer's Office. This permit offers inspections for forms and final finish work. Information is available to property owners who need advice on how to make repairs. Inspections are included with the permit. Call (406) 657-8231 for more information.

48. What are the financing options if the City does the sidewalk repair?

A property owner can generally spread payments over a period of 12 years on his/her taxes if the City completes the work. Interest is minimal. Payment in full can be made at any time with interest to date. For information call the City Engineer's Office at (406) 657-8231.