Governing Documents

Articles of Incorporation

Articles of Incorporation are the basic charter of a corporation which spells out the name, purpose, incorporators, and any special characteristics such as being non-profit. The starting point for filing and approval of articles of incorporation is usually the state’s Secretary of State.
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Articles of Incorporation

Bylaws

Requirements

Assessments: Invoiced Oct 1; due by Nov 30. Late payments may incur fees, interest, or liens. Contact the office for payment plans.
ATVs & Snowmobiles: Generally prohibited within BSOA. Use multi-use trails in surrounding public forests.
BSOA Snow Removal: The snow contractor tries to make a concerted effort, to make the most efficient route to clear snow in a timely manner.  Arterial and high-volume roadways are concentrated on first and then secondary roadways.   If you see a concern or hazard or notice that plowing has not been performed at its “, please give the BSOA office a call.
Burning: Prohibited unless specifically allowed; a burn permit from Gallatin Canyon Rural Fire District is required.
Clutter: Keep yards tidy—stack wood, store garbage, tidy toys, and screen hot tubs.

Dogs & Pets: Leash pets and clean up after them. Report issues to Gallatin or Madison County authorities.
Easements: Various Covenants reserve easements for a variety of uses (i.e., utilities, roads, drainage and recreation). Landscaping may be allowed if non-permanent and non-obstructive, at owner’s risk.
Fences: Must be BSAC-approved; discouraged to protect wildlife corridors.
Fire Pits: New wood burning fire pits are prohibited. General use is discouraged; may be allowed per Covenants with BSAC approval. Propane fueled fire pits are allowed.
Firewood Storage: Firewood should be screened from view when visible from public or private Road Right-of Ways or Adjacent Properties. Firewood that is stored outside of the garage must be kept at least thirty (30) feet from flammable structures. Storage areas shall not be located on decks, balconies, or areas in direct contact with the structure.
Fireworks & Firearms: Fireworks are discouraged for fire prevention and only allowed on July 4 and New Years Eve; firearms are prohibited.

Garbage: All trash receptacles shall be animal proof, latched while curbside, and be stored in compliance with the Association Design Regulations. Owners may place a trash receptacle for curbside pick-up from 6:00 P.M. the evening prior to pick-up and remove any receptacle placed for curb-side pick-up no later than 6:00 P.M. on the day such pick-up is scheduled.
Hot Tubs & Saunas: Must be BSAC-approved and properly screened.

Lighting & Dark Sky Compliance: Dark Sky Lighting refers to a designation given to outdoor light fixtures that meet specific requirements outlined in this document to reduce light pollution, light trespass, glare, and offensive light sources. Most manufactures tag fixtures that meet these requirements as “dark sky rated”. All fixtures must have a full cut-off shield with no upward glare or visible bulb and should be subdued and limited in number of fixtures and direct lighting shall not trespass or radiate out or up from the Property. Exterior lighting shall operate only when the home is occupied, and between dusk and midnight.
Nuisance & Noise: Keep property tidy. Limit noise to the hours 7 a.m.–7 p.m. for construction, with all heavy machinery ending operations by 5 p.m.
Paint & Exterior Maintenance: Maintain approved colors and conditions; repaint/stain as needed.
Parking: No person shall park a vehicle or other item upon any road and/or road- right- of -way for a period longer than 48 hours. After 48 hours, your car will be considered abandoned. The Board may establish seasonal parking restrictions; do not block or alter road rights-of-way.

Remodels & Renovation: Notify BSOA before improvements. An architectural review is required.
RV Storage & Parking: Policy for Storage and Parking of Boats, Trailers, and Recreational Vehicles: No boats, trailers, snowmobiles, motor homes, or other recreational-type vehicles shall be permitted to be kept or stored on the premises of any lot or residence unless a covered, fenced and screened parking space, which must be approved in advance by the Big Sky Architectural Committee, is provided. Temporary parking of the aforementioned vehicles and trailers is permitted when advance notification is provided to the Big Sky Owners Association. Temporary parking is defined as parking for a period not to exceed 10 total days per month, and no more than 5 consecutive days without removal for a period of 2 days. Advance notification can be provided in person at the BSOA office or by mail, phone, or email.
Snow Removal & Stakes: Keep snow off streets; remove snow stakes May–Sept. Use approved storage areas.
Tenants: Owners are responsible for tenant compliance.

Utilities & Electrical Panels: All utilities must be buried; panels screened.
Voting: Return annual ballots in August.
Weeds: Montana Code Annotated 2017 7-22-2155 states: “Noxious weeds and the seeds of noxious weeds are herby declared a common nuisance.” Code 7-22-2116 part (I) states: “It is unlawful for any person to permit any noxious weeds to propagate or go to seed on the person’s land, except that any person who adheres to the noxious weed management program of the person’s weed management district or who has entered into and is in compliance with a noxious weed management agreement is considered to be in compliance.”

Resolutions

Resolutions and Policies are used by the BSOA Board to make policy on a single act or Board decision. While the BSOA Board of Directors has passed a variety of Resolutions and Policies over the years, a few of the most pertinent are provided below for membership information.

Enforcement Resolution (amended 2019) – This resolution delegates to the BSAC the authority to hear resolve violations that pertain to: declarations, design regulations, approvals/denials, and activities related to construction and architectural review.  

Trash Restrictions, Bear Feeding and Enforcement Regulation (adopted May 2014, amended November 2025) – The purpose of this resolution is to proactively minimize human-bear conflict, to insure the greatest level of safety for humans and bears. 

Public Disclosure Resolution for the BSOA Inc. (adopted January 2010) – The BSOA is a Montana non-profit corporation regulated by the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and certain provisions of IRS Code. In the Public Disclosure Resolution, the BSOA makes a variety of corporate documents available to the public upon request.
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Access to Big Sky Architectural Committee Records and Architectural Files (adopted May 2009) – BSAC files are maintained for the benefit of the BSOA and its members.  Consequently, information regarding the architectural history and BSAC review of a home, commercial property, or condominium development is guided by this resolution.  

Snow and Noxious Weed Management (adopted February 2008) – The purpose of this resolution is to define those roads in Gallatin and Madison County which also fall within the jurisdictional boundary of the BSOA and which receive winter road maintenance and road right of way noxious weed management as funded with BSOA assessment revenue.

Parking Rules, Regulations and Enforcement(adopted March 2017, amended November 2025) – This resolution assists the BSOA in governing vehicles parked or stored in or on road right of ways within the BSOA jurisdiction.  As a safety measure, enforcement of parked vehicles along road right of ways will allow better flow of traffic for residents and emergency vehicles.  

RV Parking and Storage (adopted 2015) – Policy for Storage and Parking of Boats, Trailers, and Recreational Vehicles: No boats, trailers, snowmobiles, motor homes, or other recreational-type vehicles shall be permitted to be kept or stored on the premises of any lot or residence unless a covered, fenced and screened parking space, which must be approved in advance by the Big Sky Architectural Committee, is provided.
Temporary parking of the aforementioned vehicles and trailers is permitted when advance notification is provided to the Big Sky Owners Association. Temporary parking is defined as parking for a period not to exceed 10 total days per month, and no more than 5 consecutive days without removal for a period of 2 days.
Advance notification can be provided in person at the BSOA office or by mail, phone, or email.

Conflict of Interest Policy Resolution (revised September 2020) – The purpose of this resolution is to acknowledge conflicts of interest and set forth several ethical duties for Board of Directors, Committee members, and Staff.  Members of the Board, Committees, and Staff are asked to maintain an updated Conflict of Interest form on a semi-annual basis. 

Dark Sky Lighting (adopted November 2025)

Holiday, Seasonal Lighting & Decor (adopted November 2025)

Noxious Weed Management (adopted November 2025)

Copies of all public information as described in the Resolutions above are available. Please contact the office at 406-995-4166.