Is Dumpster Diving Legal in Montana?
Dumpster Diving is legal with restrictions in Montana as of 2026. Montana does not have a law specifically addressing dumpster diving, but trespass laws (Mont. Code Ann. § 45-6-203) prohibit unauthorized entry on private property, including dumpsters located there.
Dumpster Diving is LEGAL WITH RESTRICTIONS in Montana
Dumpster Diving is legal in Montana but with specific restrictions and regulations.
Dumpster Diving Laws in Montana: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Dumpster Diving is currently legal with restrictions in Montana.
- 2 Possession: Items may be taken from dumpsters accessible on public property; private property dumpsters require permission.
- 3 Sale: No explicit restrictions on sale; selling stolen goods is illegal.
- 4 Age Restriction: None
- 5 Penalties: Trespass is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 6 months.
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | Items may be taken from dumpsters accessible on public property; private property dumpsters require permission. |
| Sale | No explicit restrictions on sale; selling stolen goods is illegal. |
| Age Restriction | None |
| Penalties | Trespass is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and/or imprisonment up to 6 months. |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does Montana Compare?
Across all 50 states, Dumpster Diving is fully legal in 1 states, legal with restrictions in 49 states, and illegal in 0 states. Montana is among the 49 states where it is legal with restrictions.
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Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: Montana Code Annotated - Criminal Trespass
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0060/part_0020/section_0030/0450-0060-0020-0030.html
Last verified: 2026-01-15
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