Housing (Zoning)

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 713: Revise municipal zoning laws

HB 713 revises municipal zoning laws, outlining procedures for cities and towns to establish, amend, or repeal zoning regulations, restrictions, and boundaries. It requires public hearings with notice for most zoning changes, but allows for immediate adoption of zone map boundary changes by resolution. The bill also permits municipalities to conduct joint hearings for annexation and zoning under specific conditions, streamlining the process for newly annexed properties. Additionally, it repeals a previous method that allowed for citizen protest of zoning alterations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines zoning approvals for development, facilitating housing projects through faster processes and joint hearings.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Taxes Zoning

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 4307: Study resolution on incentivizing housing density and affordability

This joint resolution (LC 4307) requests an interim study to examine ways to increase housing density and affordability in Montana. It directs the Legislative Council to investigate methods for incentivizing denser housing developments, reviewing state programs supporting housing units, analyzing tax impacts on homeowners and developments, and identifying infrastructure funding solutions. The study must include input from developers, local governments, and housing advocates, and report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026. This resolution does not create new laws but focuses on gathering data to inform future housing policy decisions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs study to incentivize denser, affordable housing developments, aiming to advance housing density and affordability policies through state program review and infrastructure solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 25, 2025

LC 2403: Revise requirements to connect to municipal water/sewer system

This bill prohibits Montana municipalities from requiring landowners outside city limits to change zoning (e.g., from single-family to multifamily) before connecting to municipal water or sewer systems. It directly affects property owners seeking to connect to city utilities beyond corporate boundaries. The key provision amends Montana Code Annotated 7-13-4312 to explicitly ban such zoning requirements as a condition for service. The bill also appropriates $1,000 for the Department of Environmental Quality to update related documents and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barrier for utility connection, facilitating housing development (e.g., multifamily) without requiring landowners to change zoning first.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 26, 2025

LC 1276: Revise local growth policy and county zoning laws

This bill amends Montana law to prevent counties from including certain "sensitive lands" requirements in growth policies for areas outside city boundaries. It directly affects counties, cities, and landowners in rural areas by restricting how local governments can regulate land use outside incorporated cities. The key change prohibits counties from imposing specific land use rules (like those for natural resources or fire safety) on rural lands within their zoning policies. The bill also revises county zoning requirements and includes a funding appropriation, amending sections 76-1-601, 76-2-203, and 76-2-212 of Montana Code Annotated.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPrevents counties from regulating natural resources on rural lands via zoning, weakening local environmental protections by removing sensitive lands requirements.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves county restrictions on rural land use (e.g., 'sensitive lands' requirements), facilitating housing development by eliminating barriers to construction outside city boundaries.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 1018: Revise zoning laws related to accessory dwelling units

This bill (LC 1018) aimed to revise local zoning laws to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs), such as backyard cottages or converted garages, on single-family residential properties without requiring special permits. It would have directly affected homeowners seeking to build ADUs and local governments responsible for enforcing zoning codes. The key mechanism involved updating zoning regulations to permit ADUs as a standard use, reducing barriers to their construction. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes barriers to ADUs (backyard cottages), increasing housing supply and development opportunities - directly advancing affordable housing goals through zoning reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1879: Create housing improvement district

This bill (LC 1879) proposed creating housing improvement districts, which would have allowed local governments to establish designated areas for targeted housing development or rehabilitation efforts. It would have directly affected municipalities and property owners within those designated districts by enabling new zoning or funding mechanisms. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as its draft was officially "Died in Process" on May 27, 2025. No concrete policy changes were enacted, as the bill was abandoned before committee review or voting.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill proposes creating districts for targeted housing development/rehabilitation, enabling new zoning/funding mechanisms to advance housing initiatives per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation Housing Finance Zoning Tags Local Government

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passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 30: Study resolution on incentivizing housing density and affordability

HJ 30 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on methods to increase housing density and affordability across Montana. The study will be conducted by an appropriate interim committee or staff designated by the Legislative Council. It will investigate incentives for local governments to increase housing density, review state programs supporting housing, and analyze the economic implications of increased density, including property taxes. The study will also identify programs to fund water and wastewater systems for local governments, with final results reported to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly requests study of incentives to increase housing density and affordability, directly advancing policy solutions for affordable housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 266: Revise municipal zoning to allow for triplex and fourplex housing

SB 266 requires Montana cities with populations over 5,000 to allow triplexes (three-unit homes) and fourplexes (four-unit homes) in areas where single-family homes are permitted, without imposing stricter rules than those for single-family properties. The bill mandates that zoning regulations for these multi-unit housing types cannot be more restrictive than those for single-family residences, including limits on parking (max one space per unit) and reduced requirements for lot sizes or building setbacks. It also encourages local governments to adopt additional housing strategies, such as eliminating or reducing off-street parking mandates and permitting accessory dwelling units. This bill directly affects cities meeting the population threshold, aiming to increase housing density options for residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates cities to allow triplexes/fourplexes in single-family zones, increasing housing supply and affordability by expanding development options without stricter rules.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 871: Revise requirements to connect to municipal water/sewer system

HB 871 aimed to prevent municipalities from requiring a zoning change, specifically from single-family to multi-family, for parcels of land located outside city limits to connect to municipal water or sewer systems. It would have amended existing law to explicitly prohibit this requirement. The bill also included a $1,000 appropriation to the Department of Environmental Quality for updating related documents. This measure would have primarily affected property owners outside city boundaries seeking to access municipal utility services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barrier for multi-family development outside city limits, facilitating housing projects and aligning with affordable housing development goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 802: Revise zoning laws related to the rental of a primary residence

HB 802 aimed to revise Montana's zoning laws concerning the rental of primary residences. The bill stipulated that county and municipal zoning regulations could not prohibit the short-term rental of a property owner's primary residence, an accessory dwelling unit on the same parcel, or a residence on a neighboring lot. A "primary residence" was defined as a dwelling occupied by the owner for at least 183 days annually. This measure would have established these specific short-term rentals as permissible uses, limiting local government authority to ban them.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits short-term rentals of primary residences, increasing housing supply and development options under zoning laws, aligning with affordable housing advancement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Zoning

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