Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER 5. GENERAL OPERATION AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

Part 1. Local Government Ordinances, Resolutions, and Initiatives and Referendums

Ordinance Requirements

7-5-103. Ordinance requirements. (1) All ordinances must be submitted in writing in the form prescribed by resolution of the governing body.

(2) An ordinance passed may not:

(a) contain more than one comprehensive subject, which must be clearly expressed in its title, except ordinances for codification and revision of ordinances;

(b) compel a private business to deny a customer of the private business access to the premises or access to goods or services;

(c) deny a customer of a private business the ability to access goods or services provided by the private business; or

(d) include any of the following actions for noncompliance with a resolution or ordinance that includes actions described in subsections (2)(b) and (2)(c):

(i) allow for the assessment of a fee or fine;

(ii) require the revocation of a license required for the operation of a private business;

(iii) find a private business owner guilty of a misdemeanor; or

(iv) bring any other retributive action against a private business owner, including but not limited to criminal charges.

(3) The prohibition provided in subsection (2)(c) does not apply to persons confirmed to have a communicable disease and who are currently under a public quarantine order.

(4) The prohibitions provided in subsections (2)(b) through (2)(d) do not apply to:

(a) the adoption of an ordinance allowed in 75-7-411;

(b) the enforcement of zoning provisions as allowed in 76-2-113 and 76-2-210; or

(c) the enforcement of an ordinance pursuant to 76-2-308(2).

(5) An ordinance must be read and adopted by a majority vote of members present at two meetings of the governing body not less than 12 days apart. After the first adoption and reading, it must be posted and copies must be made available to the public.

(6) After passage and approval, all ordinances must be signed by the presiding officer of the governing body and filed with the official or employee designated by ordinance to keep the register of ordinances.

(7) As used in this section, "private business" means an individual or entity that is not principally a part of or associated with a government unit and that has an established physical location within the boundaries of the county or municipality. The term includes but is not limited to a nonprofit or for-profit entity, a corporation, a sole proprietorship, or a limited liability company.

History: En. 47A-3-102 by Sec. 5, Ch. 477, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 47A-3-102(1) thru (3), (5); amd. Sec. 461, Ch. 61, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 408, L. 2021; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 185, L. 2023.