Staff recommends the City Council conduct a public hearing and approve a first reading of the ordinance amending Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC), Section 22-408.

Billings Municipal Code § 22-408 has not been updated since Ordinance Number 10-5501 was enacted on January 11, 2010. In 2010, this section was revised to make a violation of this section into a Municipal Infraction. 

Staff are proposing amendments to § 22-408 to create a safe and welcoming business environment, especially in the downtown business district. Revisions are also necessary to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the status quo, individuals and their property are obstructing entrances to businesses. This impedes business activities and makes it difficult for people with disabilities to access goods and services. 

In drafting this proposed revision, staff exercised diligence and reviewed ordinances in the state of Montana and other states (including Missoula’s Ordinance on Pedestrian Interference, Whitefish’s Ordinance on blocking business entrances, and comparable ordinances in metropolitan areas in Iowa and Idaho.)
 

Recommended by City staff, including the Code Enforcement Division and Legal. 

City Council may:

• Approve; or,
• Not Approve

Approval of all or some of the proposed amendments will have a negligible financial impact on the City's budget.