Housing (Property Development)

This bill allows local governments in Montana to cancel agricultural covenants on land that has been annexed into a municipality, enabling the land to be developed without undergoing subdivision review. The law applies specifically to properties that previously received exemptions from subdivision requirements under state agricultural zoning laws. Under the new provisions, a governing body can revoke the covenant if the land is annexed, provided that original lot lines are restored or the land is used for public purposes, though public hearings are required for certain revocations. Sanitary restrictions related to water and waste remain unaffected by this change.

This bill requires recreational vehicles and mobile homes to be classified as buildings for rent or lease when placed on land, meaning these spaces will be subject to subdivision review processes. The law directly affects landowners, developers, and local governments by mandating that areas with multiple RV or mobile home spaces undergo the same regulatory scrutiny as traditional subdivisions. Key provisions amend existing Montana statutes to explicitly include these types of living spaces within the legal definition of a subdivision, ensuring they meet the same standards for infrastructure and land division. Local governing bodies will need to apply existing subdivision regulations to these sites, potentially requiring surveys, plats, and compliance checks similar to those for conventional housing developments.

This bill (LC 1313) aimed to revise state laws governing conservation easements - legal agreements that protect land from development. It would have directly affected landowners, farmers, conservation groups, and local governments by altering how easements are created, managed, and enforced. The proposed changes included updated requirements for easement documentation and new oversight processes for land conservation projects. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold and ultimately died in the legislative process in May 2025. No policy changes were enacted.