on September 10, 2026

Montana Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: Montana has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. None of them uses a set ticket amount. Fines are set by a judge within a range the code allows.

Why Montana leaves it to cities

Montana has no statewide dog waste statute. MCA 7-23-4101 gives each city or town council power to 'regulate, restrain, or prohibit the running at large of horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and dogs or other animals,' so leash and waste rules are set city by city. Verified 2026-09-10.

  • City and town power to regulate animals running at large: MCA 7-23-4101 (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in Montana's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Billings Billings City Code § 4-307 (Animal waste); penalties § 4-310 and § 18-1304 Up to $300 No
Missoula Missoula Municipal Code § 6.07.430 (Animal waste); nuisance dog definition § 6.07.020(R)(b); fines § 6.07.030(C) At least $50 No
Great Falls Official Code of the City of Great Falls (OCCGF) § 6.1.110 (Removal of excrement) Up to $500 Yes

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

In Great Falls, the law does not just require you to pick up. It requires you to be carrying something to pick up with, so walking out without a bag can be an offense on its own even if your dog never goes.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about Montana

  • Great Falls requires walkers to carry a means of removal and to double-bag waste or use a fly-proof container before it goes in the trash (OCCGF § 6.1.110(A)).
  • Billings treats uncollected dog waste as a civil municipal infraction rather than a crime, capped at $300 for a first violation (§§ 4-310, 18-1304).
  • Missoula's code sets escalating minimum fines of $50, $75, $225 and $300 plus court costs (§ 6.07.030(C)), while the city's own parks page quotes a $25 to $500 range.

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in Montana?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in Montana?

It depends on the city. Billings: Up to $300. Missoula: At least $50. Great Falls: Up to $500.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in Montana?

In Great Falls, yes. The ordinance requires you to have a means of removal with you while walking your dog.

Are service dog handlers exempt?

In Great Falls, the ordinance exempts handlers who have a disability and cannot physically pick up. The exemption covers the handler, not the dog.

Other states in the West

California · Washington · Arizona · Colorado · Oregon · Utah · Nevada · New Mexico

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.