Regular 3.
City Council Regular Business Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 10/12/2026
- TITLE
- Public Hearing and Amendment to Ordinance 24-441 through 24-443.1, 24-445, 24-1004, 24-1007, 24-1008, and 24-1011, BMCC
- PRESENTED BY:
- Tracy Scott
- Department:
- Parking
Presentation:
Yes
Legal Review:
Yes
Project Number:
N/A
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council conduct a public hearing and approve the proposed accessible parking ordinance amendments on first reading. The amendments are intended to bring the City’s accessible parking provisions into alignment with applicable Montana law and federal accessibility requirements and update related enforcement procedures.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends that Council conduct the public hearing and approve the accessible parking ordinance amendments on first reading. The proposed changes update City Code to reflect current accessibility and parking requirements and clarify the City’s enforcement procedures.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
At its October 5, 2026, work session, City Council discussed the proposed amendments.
The amendments update outdated accessible parking terminology and address parking authorizations, use of accessible spaces and access aisles, and requirements for spaces and signs. They also propose a consistent $250 accessible parking fine and allow a person three business days to present an authorization that was issued before the violation and valid when the citation was issued. Montana law establishes the applicable fine ranges and three-business-day provision. mca.legmt.gov
Related amendments to BMCC 24-1007 and 24-1008 increase the unpaid parking ticket threshold for vehicle immobilization from $50 to $200 and update the written warning to reflect that amount. Redline and clean versions of the proposed ordinance are attached for Council’s review. The hearing was advertised in the Yellowstone County News on October 2 and October 9, 2026.
The amendments update outdated accessible parking terminology and address parking authorizations, use of accessible spaces and access aisles, and requirements for spaces and signs. They also propose a consistent $250 accessible parking fine and allow a person three business days to present an authorization that was issued before the violation and valid when the citation was issued. Montana law establishes the applicable fine ranges and three-business-day provision. mca.legmt.gov
Related amendments to BMCC 24-1007 and 24-1008 increase the unpaid parking ticket threshold for vehicle immobilization from $50 to $200 and update the written warning to reflect that amount. Redline and clean versions of the proposed ordinance are attached for Council’s review. The hearing was advertised in the Yellowstone County News on October 2 and October 9, 2026.
FISCAL EFFECTS
Updating City parking signs and enforcement materials may involve costs. The proposed fine and vehicle immobilization threshold may also affect citation revenue and collections. Staff will provide an updated estimate when available.
STAKEHOLDERS
The amendments affect people who use accessible parking, other motorists, owners and operators of parking areas available to the public, and agencies that issue parking citations. Parking Division staff will coordinate any changes to City parking signs and enforcement materials with the appropriate departments.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve the ordinance amendments on first reading;
- Direct staff to revise the ordinance and return it for consideration; or
- Decline to approve the amendments, leaving the existing City Code provisions in place.