Hardin City Zoning Code

CAMP OR CAMPING: Means to pitch, erect, create, use or occupy or otherwise inhabit camp facilities

CAMP FACILITY: Includes, but is not limited to, tents, huts, temporary shelters, structures, vehicles, trailers, campers, recreational vehicles (motorized or non-motorized) designed for use as temporary living quarters, motor homes, camping trailers, tent trailers, truck campers, camper vans, or any other item used for the purpose of camping or temporary dwelling.

STORAGE: Storage of a camper, recreational vehicle, camper van, truck camper, motor home or similar means dry storage, without connection to electricity, and in a manner that is not meant for use as a camping facility. Storage may include protections against rodents or sun damage, but shall not include skirting of any kind. (Ord. 2025-04, 12-4-2025)

   A.   It is unlawful for any person to camp or use a camping facility in the city except in a campground as defined by Mont. Code. Ann. § 50-52-101(1) (2025), or as approved by City Council, and which is in compliance with state and city health, licensing, and zoning provisions.

   B.   Exception (not applicable to campgrounds):

      1.   Camping in a tent or camper for a period of five days or less in any thirty (30) period is allowable on any residential property.

         a.   No camping facility may be connected to city water unless actively filling water tanks, in which case the water connection should be immediately disconnected upon completion of filling.

         b.   Under no circumstances should any camping facility be connected to city wastewater, or discharge into stormwater drains or onto streets or alleys.

         c.   No more than one camping facility per residential lot.

         d.   No skirting of any kind is allowed on any camping facility parked on a residential lot.

   C.   Camping and/or camping facilities are prohibited on city owned property, easements granted to the city for any purpose, public rights of way, regardless of the legal status of the right of way, road, alleys, sidewalks, boulevards, and on property leased by the city.

      1.   The City may abate or cause the abatement of any camp facility, property, or other personal items in the public right-of-way by conspicuously posting a 72-hour notice of abatement. After the 72-hour notice period, any items remaining will be considered abandoned and subject to disposal. No notice is required to abate waste, debris, trash, or to abate a condition impeding traffic or when the condition poses an imminent risk to public health or safety.

      2.   The City may seek the costs of abatement including the costs of towing and impoundment as restitution in a criminal case or as part of a judgement in a civil proceeding.

   D.   Camping and/or camping facilities on any empty, vacant, damaged, abandoned, unclaimed, or unused lot is prohibited.

   E.   Camping and/or camping facilities on commercial or industrial lots is prohibited, unless the lot is used as a storage facility.

   F.   The Mayor or the Chief of Police may grant exceptions to these prohibitions upon application of any person. (Ord. 2025-04, 12-4-2025)

No more than one camper, recreational vehicle, camper van, truck camper, motor home or similar may be stored on a residential lot. (Ord. 2025-04, 12-4-2025)

It shall be unlawful for any camper, motor home, recreational vehicle or other camping facility to be stored or placed in any trailer or mobile home park, unless the park is also an established or approved campground. (Ord. 2025-04, 12-4- 2025)

Any person found in violation of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and is punishable of a fine of up to five hundred ($500) dollars, or up to six (6) months in the county jail, or both and court surcharges. Each day is a separate violation. (Ord. 2025-04, 12-4-2025)