Billings Considers Stormwater Fee to Fund New Development Infrastructure

Billings, MT, October 12, 2026 —

Billings city officials are evaluating a new stormwater development fee that could add more than $1,000 to the cost of new homes. The proposed charge is intended to finance the necessary stormwater infrastructure for future developments within the city.

Specifically, the fee aims to address the need for updated stormwater systems in areas like the West End, where the current city infrastructure does not yet reach. The initiative seeks to ensure that new construction contributes to the expansion and maintenance of essential services.

The Billings City Council is expected to hold a final vote on the proposed stormwater development fee on October 26. If approved, the fee could be implemented as early as January 2027.

Details regarding the exact calculation of the fee per development or per home were not provided in the summary. The scope of the infrastructure projects to be funded by the fee, beyond the West End, also remains unspecified at this time. The financial impact on developers and the subsequent effect on housing prices are key considerations as the city moves forward with this proposal.

The city has not released further details on the permitting process or inspection outcomes related to stormwater infrastructure, nor has it specified any potential code violations that this fee aims to preemptively address. The primary stated purpose of the fee is to fund the development of new infrastructure rather than to penalize existing issues.

Residents and developers await the council’s decision later this month, which will determine the financial implications for new housing projects in Billings starting in 2027.

Story summarized from the original created by Grace Harvey on www.ktvq.com, see more information here.