Eviction in Gallatin County (Bozeman), Montana

Where eviction cases are filed in Gallatin County (Bozeman), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Gallatin County (Bozeman)

Eviction court: Gallatin County Justice Court of Record (Departments 1 and 2) - Civil Division — Justice Court of Record Court page
Filing fee: $50 civil filing fee (Action for Possession is filed as a civil case); defendant's answer fee $30 per defendant; $20 judgment fee from the prevailing party (recoverable). Gallatin County Justice Court - Civil Complaints vs. Small Claims
Notice before filing (state law): 3 days' written notice of nonpayment and intent to terminate; agreement terminates if rent is not paid within 3 days. Montana rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026): $2,154/month HUD
Renter households: 19,945 (39% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28

Where eviction cases are filed in Gallatin County (Bozeman)

Eviction cases in Gallatin County (Bozeman) are heard by the Gallatin County Justice Court of Record (Departments 1 and 2) - Civil Division (Justice Court of Record).

Gallatin County Justice Center - Justice Court of Record — 515 S 16th Ave, Suite 1100, Bozeman, MT 59715 (406-582-2191, option 2 for civil; justice@gallatin.mt.gov) · website

Court eviction page · Self-help center

Eviction cases are filed as an 'Action for Possession' in the civil division (claims up to $15,000); they cannot be filed in small claims. Bring the signed Action for Possession Civil Complaint plus 2 copies (one more per extra defendant), the 5-day Summons - Action for Possession Unlawful Detainer, and a Praecipe-Instructions for Service; the plaintiff chooses who serves the summons. Filing in person or by mail with fees (not by email or fax). Hours Mon-Fri 8-5, window and phones close at 3 p.m.; open court Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8 a.m., appointments mandatory. The court's department overview describes its jurisdiction as cases outside the city limits of Bozeman.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Gallatin County (Bozeman)

$50 civil filing fee (Action for Possession is filed as a civil case); defendant's answer fee $30 per defendant; $20 judgment fee from the prevailing party (recoverable).

Service of the summons by sheriff or process server is a separate cost. A counterclaim in a civil case has no charge.

Source: Gallatin County Justice Court - Civil Complaints vs. Small Claims

How eviction cases work locally

Response time and mediation	Defendants have 5 days to respond in Action for Possession cases (20 days in other civil cases); the court sets mediation if an answer is filed within 14 days. Source: Official source
AI certification	The Justice Court has an Administrative Order on AI use and an Artificial Intelligence Certification Form posted with its civil forms. Source: Official source

The Montana eviction process

Montana state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Gallatin County (Bozeman):

Written termination notice: 3 days (nonpayment and certain violations), 14 days (other remediable noncompliance), 5 days (repeat within 6 months), or 30 days (month-to-month, no cause)
Landlord files an action for possession (and rent/damages) after termination
Tenant served with summons and complaint; tenant files answer (with any counterclaims) within 5 business days
Hearing within 10 business days after appearance or answer date (5 business days if termination was for damage/harm under § 70-24-321(3)); court rules within 5 days
If landlord wins, court immediately issues a writ of possession and writ of assistance
Sheriff executes the writ of assistance within 5 business days of receipt (or at a time agreed with the landlord)

Full Montana eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Gallatin County (Bozeman)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Bozeman, MT MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio	$1,485
1 bedroom	$1,642
2 bedrooms	$2,154
3 bedrooms	$2,996
4 bedrooms	$3,537

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Gallatin County (Bozeman): $1,694/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure follows state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.

Other Montana counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Gallatin County (Bozeman)?

Eviction cases in Gallatin County (Bozeman) are filed with the Gallatin County Justice Court of Record (Departments 1 and 2) - Civil Division.

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Gallatin County (Bozeman)?