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Missoula updates disabled‑parking fines to match state law; council adopts escalating penalties
Summary
Council adopted ordinance language to implement Montana House Bill 38: first disabled‑parking violation now $150, second $250, and third and subsequent $500. The state law took effect Oct. 1; council approved code update Oct. 6.
The Missoula City Council on Oct. 6 updated local ordinances to reflect Montana House Bill 38, which raises fines for disabled‑parking violations. Under the change, the first violation is now $150, a second violation is $250, and the third and subsequent violations are $500. Council adopted the ordinance language unanimously.
Jody Pilgrim, director of the Missoula Parking Commission, told council the state law sets a fine range of $150 to $500 and went into effect Oct. 1. The Commission has already applied the new fine schedule; the council action updates city code language so local penalties match the state requirement.
Pilgrim said the state law does not set a reset period for the escalating fines. Missoula enforces by license plate rather than by person, she said; as a result, a vehicle that reaches the $500 level could return to the $150 level if the owner changes the vehicle’s license plate.
Councilor Myrta moved approval of the ordinance language amending the relevant city code section; after no public comment, the council approved the motion by voice vote.
Materials presented at the hearing referred to House Bill 38 and to Missoula Municipal Code penalties for parking violations. The city will enforce the revised penalties as described in state law and its parking enforcement procedures.
