FAQs
2021 International Residential Code
2021 International Building Code
2021 International Mechanical Code
2021 International Fuel Gas Code
2021 Uniform Plumbing Code
2020 National Electrical Code
2021 International Energy Code
2012 International Fire Code
The owner or occupant is responsible for keeping their property free of feces. The following may happen, if the amount of feces causes odors, an eyesore, or attracts insects or pests. Animal Control will provide the owner or occupant with written notice to clean up the property within 48 hours. Failure to do so can result in fines and impoundment of the animals.
Contact Dispatch at (406) 455-8599. If the vehicle is a safety or traffic hazard, it may be towed.
The State of Montana governs the area outside the City limits. You may call (406) 841-2040 for additional information.
The first time one of your animals gets away, they may be given a free ride home. This is at the discretion of the animal control officer. If your animal is picked up by animal control, you will be subject to the intake fees at the animal shelter.
A "building setback" is the distance between a structure and a property line. An "arterial setback" is that distance between a structure and the center of an arterial street right-of-way. Setbacks are unique to each zoning district (areas of town). Please contact Planning & Community Development at (406) 455-8430 for further information.
If someone standing 50 feet from the vehicle can hear or feel vibrations from a car's sound equipment, the owner is in violation of the car stereo noise ordinance.
The Police Department does VIN inspections on Wednesdays from 11 am to 3 pm. The Drivers License Office does inspections daily.
You may file a complaint with the Great Falls Police Department. Animal control will review the complaint received and may request additional documentation. The Animal Control Officer may, at his or her discretion, investigate any complaint. Once complaints have been reviewed, animal control may issue a written notice to the owner of the nuisance animal. If further complaints are received and verified within fifteen (15) days from the issuance of the written notice, the owner may be subject to citations and fines.
There is a Animal Noise/ Barking Dog Complaint Log on the Animal Control Officers page that you may use to document such incidents.
In cases where curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements are not appropriate at the time of development (e.g., gravel street, no curbs adjacent to property, etc), the City Engineer may accept a SID Waiver of Protest in lieu of construction.
Curfew applies to people under the age of 18. Curfew starts at 11 pm Sunday through Thursday and ends at 6 am the following day. Weekend curfew hours are from 12:01 am - 6:00 am Saturday and Sunday. People subject to the curfew should not be out during curfew hours. Unless accompanied by a responsible adult -- parent/guardian or someone approved by the parent/guardian.
"Nuisance animal" means any animal or group of animals that behaves in a disruptive or destructive manner. This includes, but is not limited to;
Animals that steal, damage, soil, or defile public or private property
Rummaging through garbage, damaging flower or vegetable gardens
Chasing vehicles or bikes on public streets,ways, or parks
Impedes the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists
Is inside a public area that prohibits animals, except for an animal registered as a service animal
Animals in heat that are not in a proper enclosure preventing contact with a male of its species
Please refer to the Animal City Ordinance for further details.
Inside the City limits, call the Planning & Community Development Department at (406) 455-8435.
If it is an emergency situation, call 9-1-1 to report the incident. If it is a non-emergency, call the non-emergency number to the Police Department, (406) 455-8599, or use On-Line Reporting
Call Animal Control immediately. City ordinances require pet owners to keep their pet in their yard or on a leash. Any animal running free and charging you could result in charges being filed against the pet owner for animal at large. Also, depending upon the circumstances, the owner could be charged with nuisance or dangerous animal violations as well. If you are in reasonable fear for your safety and take defensive action to protect yourself or your dog. The owner of the pet could be charged with dangerous animal. If the dog chased you and your pet, that could be a nuisance animal violation.
Contact a private surveyor. You can find a list of surveyors online or in the Yellow Pages of a telephone directory. City staff is prohibited from surveying private property lines.
The fees are covered in the fee resolution. Refer to the Animal Shelter Fee list at the top of the page.
The minimum net opening area in accordance with the 2021 IRC section R310.1 is 5.7 square feet. Minimum net opening height is 24 inches and the minimum net opening width is 20 inches. The bottom sill height shall be no more than 44 inches from the floor. The minimum horizontal area of the window well shall be 9 square feet, with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches. Ladder and steps are required when the depth is greater than 44 inches. To obtain more information please call (406) 455-8431.
Contact the Police Department at (406) 455-8599 in order to report the incident. It is the property owner's responsibility to remove the graffiti.
Internships are generally set up through universities which oversee internships for their criminal justice students. The university will initiate the process with the GFPD.
A GeoTech report is required for new Residential construction, new Commercial construction including Commercial additions, and any foundation replacement on existing buildings. The report may be waived if there is a geotechnical investigation where satisfactory data from adjacent/adjoining areas is available that demonstrates soil conditions.
First you need to stop and render aid if possible. You must notify Animal Control or the Police Department as quickly as possible. Let them know about the collision and the injuries to the animal.
Call the Planning & Community Development Department at (406) 455-8430. All inspections need to be called in the day PRIOR to the inspection day needed. Or you may call BEFORE 7:00 a.m. of the inspection day and leave a message to ensure an inspection time may be scheduled that same day.
It is prohibited to own, harbor, or maintain a Wild Animal within the incorporated City limits.
