Eviction in Missoula County, Montana

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

Quick facts: eviction in Missoula County

Eviction court: Missoula County Justice Court (civil side) — Justice court Court page
Filing fee: $50 complaint filing fee; $30 answer filing fee per defendant Missoula County Justice Court - Civil and Small Claims Court
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): $1,655/month HUD
Renter households: 21,701 (41% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28

Where eviction cases are filed in Missoula County

Eviction cases in Missoula County are heard by the Missoula County Justice Court (civil side) (Justice court).

Missoula County Justice Court — Missoula County Courthouse (first floor), 200 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802 · website

Court eviction page

Justice Court civil jurisdiction covers amounts up to $15,000, including landlord/tenant eviction cases (possession of real estate); it cannot decide title to real estate. Phone (406) 258-3470; 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Filings accepted in person or by mail to Missoula County Justice Court, 200 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Missoula County

$50 complaint filing fee; $30 answer filing fee per defendant

Civil judgment fee $20; civil appeal fee $20. No filing is accepted without the fee or an approved waiver; a party who cannot pay may file an Affidavit of Inability to Pay, and documents are not filed until a judge grants the waiver. Service costs not listed.

Source: Missoula County Justice Court - Civil and Small Claims Court

The Montana eviction process

Montana state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Missoula County:

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 Missoula County

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Missoula, MT HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio	$1,143
1 bedroom	$1,400
2 bedrooms	$1,655
3 bedrooms	$2,302
4 bedrooms	$2,776

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Missoula County: $1,190/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; evictions follow the Montana Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

Eviction help in Missoula County

Free legal help

Montana Legal Services Association (MontanaLawHelp.org) — Statewide civil legal aid; apply online at https://www.montanalawhelp.org/apply-legal-services or call the HelpLine.

Tenant and eviction lawyers in Missoula County

Section 8 and public housing in Missoula County

Missoula Housing Authority — Missoula, Missoula County
Housing Choice Voucher, Project-Based Voucher, Agency-owned affordable housing, Homeless and special-purpose voucher programs
Phone: (406) 549-4113
How to apply / waiting list

All Montana housing authorities →

Other Montana counties

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Missoula County?

Eviction cases in Missoula County are filed with the Missoula County Justice Court (civil side).

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Missoula County?

$50 complaint filing fee; $30 answer filing fee per defendant.

Where can I get help with an eviction in Missoula County?

Montana Legal Services Association (MontanaLawHelp.org).

What is the fair market rent in Missoula County?

HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,655 per month (1-bedroom: $1,400).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.