If a public road in Gallatin County does not have an ordinance for a speed limit, the Montana State default of 70 mph applies, regardless of whether a sign is currently posted. The following is the general procedure to request a speed limit. You may contact the Gallatin County Road Department at 582-3250 if you have any questions or need additional information.
• A petition must be submitted to the Gallatin County Clerk and Recorder office, located on the second floor of the Gallatin County Courthouse, 311 West Main, Bozeman. There is no set language for the petition, but the typical language for the top of the petition would read something like the following: “We, the undersigned, request that a speed limit be placed on “ Road” (at this point the petition needs to specify the road name and section – i.e. “X Road” from the intersection with “Y Road” to the intersection with “Z Road” or the entire length) for the following reasons: (i.e. poor sight distance, road width, safety, etc.). Every signer must include his or her address and phone number.
• Once the petition is submitted to the County Clerk and Recorder office, they will forward it the Road Department and to the County Attorney's office. The actual speed limit will be determined a speed study and must abide by current Montana State Law. This information regarding the speed study is then forwarded to the County Attorney’s office.
• The County Attorney’s office drafts a proposed ordinance and requests that it be placed on a public meeting agenda. The proposed ordinance must be read at two separate Public Meetings. It is suggested that at least one person be willing to speak at the Public Meetings to support a speed limit.
• Following the second reading and approval of the proposed ordinance and a waiting period of thirty (30) days, the speed limit goes into effect and is punishable by law. On county-maintained public roads, the County Road Department will post speed limit signs after the thirty-day waiting period. Speed limit signs are the responsibility of the homeowners on public roads that are not maintained by Gallatin County. They may be purchased at the County Road Department.
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