Billings, Montana Drone Laws

Overview

Billings is located in Montana. Drone operations are governed by federal FAA regulations (14 CFR Part 107) and may be subject to state and local ordinances.

State Regulations & Statutes

Montana has limited state-level drone legislation. MCA § 46-5-109 governs law enforcement use of drones, establishing that warrants are generally required for aerial surveillance. Montana does not have a comprehensive general drone statute governing civilian operations. As a result, the primary legal frameworks for drone pilots in Billings are the FAA's federal regulations (Part 107 and recreational rules), general trespass and privacy laws, and any local ordinances. The absence of statewide preemption means Billings and Yellowstone County may impose their own restrictions. Montana's vast public lands (BLM, USFS) present extensive flying opportunities, but each managing agency has its own drone policies. Billings Logan International Airport (KBIL) is located approximately 3 miles from downtown, placing most of the city within or near Class D or Class C airspace.

Applicable Statutes & Penal Codes

• MCA § 46-5-109: Law enforcement requires warrant for drone surveillance — protects citizens from government aerial surveillance
• No comprehensive civilian drone statute — FAA regulations are primary authority
• KBIL (Billings Logan International) Class C airspace — LAANC required within approximately 5 miles
• BLM Billings Field Office lands: BLM Montana state office drone policy governs operations on BLM land
• Yellowstone River corridor: Check for wildlife concerns and any USFWS restrictions in riparian areas
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required for all commercial UAS operations
• FAA drone registration required for all UAS over 0.55 lbs

Permits & Registration

Commercial operations require FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. LAANC authorization is required for KBIL Class C airspace — use FAA DroneZone or Aloft app. Billings city parks require permits from the City of Billings Parks and Recreation Division. BLM land operations should be coordinated with the BLM Billings Field Office (406-896-5000) for guidance on current drone policies. National Forest land in the Beartooth area (Custer Gallatin National Forest) requires USFS coordination. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument both have NPS drone restrictions.

Official Statute Links

• https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0090/0460-0050-0010-0090.html
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107/
• https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/laanc/

Local Ordinances

Billings does not have a standalone drone ordinance. The city applies general park regulations, state trespass and privacy law, and FAA airspace requirements. Billings Logan International Airport is located approximately 3 miles northwest of downtown, making the city center and surrounding commercial areas subject to Class C airspace LAANC requirements. The Rimrocks — the iconic sandstone cliffs north of downtown — are popular photography destinations but sit within the KBIL Class C footprint. The Yellowstone River south of Billings and the surrounding agricultural lands offer some of the best rural flying in Big Sky Country.

Local Restrictions & Rules

• KBIL Class C airspace: LAANC required within approximately 5 miles — affects downtown Billings and the Rimrocks area
• City of Billings parks: Permit required from Parks and Recreation Division
• Riverfront Park (Yellowstone River): City permit required; check KBIL Class C boundary at river corridor
• Big Sky Athletic Club / Rimrock area: Popular viewpoints within Class C airspace — LAANC required
• Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Hospital campuses: Healthcare facilities — no unauthorized overhead drone operations
• Rocky Mountain College and MSU Billings: Campus property — authorization required
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (approximately 60 miles east): NPS prohibits all drone operations
• Bighorn Canyon NRA: NPS prohibits all drone operations

Local Contacts

• Parks & Planning: City of Billings Parks and Recreation — (406) 657-8371, billingsmt.gov/parks; BLM Billings Field Office — (406) 896-5000, blm.gov/office/billings-field-office

Nearby Airports & Airspace

Airspace restrictions apply near airports. Always check B4UFLY and LAANC before flying.

Local Flying Guide

Always verify conditions with local authorities and property owners before flight.

Potential Safe Flying Locations

• Rural Yellowstone County farmland south of the Yellowstone River — outside Class C; get landowner permission
• Carbon County agricultural areas south (Laurel / Columbus area) — verify LAANC and outside Class C; open terrain
• BLM lands east of Billings (Pryor Mountains area) — check BLM Billings FO policy; spectacular badlands terrain
• Stillwater County rural areas west (Columbus area) — confirm outside Class C boundary; low air traffic
• Yellowstone River public access sites east of the city — outside Class C; spectacular river valley scenery

Areas to Avoid

• KBIL Class C airspace — affects all of downtown Billings and the immediate metro area; LAANC required
• The Rimrocks viewpoint area — within Class C airspace; LAANC required before flying here
• All City of Billings parks — permit required from Parks and Recreation Division
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument — NPS strictly prohibits all drone operations
• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — NPS prohibits all drone operations
• Yellowstone River corridor within Class C boundary — check LAANC authorization
• Hospital campuses and critical infrastructure — avoid overhead operations
• Sage Creek Wilderness Study Area (BLM) — contact BLM field office before operating in WSAs

Weather Considerations

Billings has a semi-arid continental climate with dramatic weather variability. The region sits in the path of Pacific systems that have crossed the Rockies and can develop rapidly. Chinook winds — warm, dry downslope winds from the Rocky Mountains to the west — can raise temperatures dramatically in winter (30–40°F in hours) and produce gusts over 60 mph at drone altitude. Thunderstorms are frequent from June through August, sometimes severe. Winter blizzards can strike with little warning, bringing whiteout conditions and zero visibility. The wide-open terrain offers excellent visibility most of the year but also means no windbreaks — sustained winds of 15–25 mph are common in spring. Check NWS Billings (weather.gov/byz) for regional forecasts.

Seasonal Tips

BEST: September–October (post-storm season, excellent visibility, warm days, elk rut provides wildlife photography opportunities on nearby BLM land) and June (before peak storm season, snow melted, access roads open). AVOID: November–March (blizzards, Chinook wind events, extreme cold below -20°F common, battery life severely limited), April–May (mud season, high winds, late-season blizzards possible). Summer afternoon thunderstorms (July–August) are frequent — fly mornings only during storm season. Chinook events in winter can actually create good flying windows when other areas are frozen, but the gusts require careful monitoring.

Compliance Checklist

• ✓ Federal FAA Part 107 or recreational exemption
• ✓ Montana state regulations
• ✓ Billings local ordinances
• ✓ B4UFLY airspace check
• ✓ LAANC authorization if in controlled airspace
• ✓ Property owner permission
• ✓ Weather safety