What permits do you need to open a retail store in Billings?

Special Review (functional Conditional Use Permit)

Billings calls this process 'Special Review' rather than 'Conditional Use Permit,' but it works the same way. BMCC Sec. 27-1623 calls special review uses 'special exceptions to the general terms of this zoning code,' and only a use marked SR for that district in Table 27-1000.1 can be approved this way. A use that is neither SR nor otherwise allowed in the district needs a text amendment or a rezoning (Sec. 27-1623.A.3). The City's Zoning Information page, written jointly for City and County applicants, left open who takes final action inside city limits. The codified zoning code, read directly, settles it: the Billings City Council. Chapter 27 'applies to all lands within the City of Billings' (Sec. 27-103.A). The five-member City Zoning Commission holds a public hearing and 'shall make a recommendation to the city council' to approve, conditionally approve or deny (Sec. 27-1623.E.1). The council then holds its own hearing and approves, conditionally approves, denies, allows withdrawal, delays up to 30 days or refers the application back once (Sec. 27-1623.E.2). Sec. 27-1609.A.1(c) lists 'To review and decide on special review applications' among the council's powers, and Table 27-1600.1 names the council as the deciding body, with appeal to District Court. Sec. 27-1623 gives the Yellowstone County Commissioners no role, and the City Board of Adjustment 'does not have the authority to hear or decide on special review requests' (Sec. 27-1609.C.3(c)). Which businesses actually meet this process is set by Table 27-1000.1 and the use-specific standards, which is why only five industries are listed for it. A day care center is SR in the seven residential districts (N3, N2, N1, NX1, NX2, NX3, RMH) and permitted outright in NO, NMU, CMU1, CMU2, DX, CBD and CX. Minor vehicle repair (5,000 square feet or less) is SR in CBD, and major vehicle repair (over 5,000 square feet) is SR in CMU2. A restaurant with a drive-thru, which covers a coffee shop under the code's definition of a restaurant, is SR in NMU and DX, and any restaurant drive-thru that adjoins residentially zoned property 'is subject to special review' (Sec. 27-1005.N.1). A retail store with a drive-thru is SR in NMU. Four uses are not SR in any district, in either the primary-use table or the accessory-use table (Table 27-1000.6): a small-animal veterinary clinic, a personal-service business such as a barber shop (the code's own example of personal services), a fitness centre (which the code counts as a studio or instruction service) and a contractor yard. Where the table does not list them as permitted, only a text amendment or a rezoning can allow them. A licensed family or group day-care home is exempted from Special Review entirely by Montana state law (recorded separately below).

Shared with other businesses in Billings

• Sign Permit — City/County Planning Division, City of Billings Planning & Community Services Department, A $2.50-per-square-foot Sign application fee plus a $1.50-per-square-foot Sign permit fee (FY26 rates, effective July 1, 2025)., one-time, per sign — not stated in the published fee schedule. Also required for restaurants, coffee shops, salons and barbers, fitness studios, auto repair shops and veterinary clinics; what it involves is set out on the veterinary clinics page.
• Industry-Specific Municipal License (not found beyond the general Business License) — City of Billings, Department of Finance (Business License Division), No fee, not applicable. Also required for auto repair shops, veterinary clinics, fitness studios and salons and barbers; what it involves is set out on the fitness studios page.