Housing (Land Use)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 29, 2025

LC 808: Amend zoning regulations to allow taller buildings

This bill amends Montana zoning laws to allow taller buildings and more flexible housing options in certain municipalities. It requires cities with over 5,000 residents to permit multiple-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments in commercial zones with municipal water and sewer access. The legislation also limits local governments from imposing more than one off-street parking space per unit, restricting parking requirements to those needed for accessibility, and preventing height restrictions on buildings from being fewer than six stories in qualifying urban areas. Additionally, the bill defines key terms like duplex housing and mixed-use developments to clarify what types of structures can be built under these new rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allows taller buildings, multiple-unit dwellings, and mixed-use developments while limiting parking requirements, directly increasing housing supply and affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 30, 2025

LC 1861: Revise land use laws related to manufactured and factory built homes

This bill revises Montana's land use laws to require that manufactured and factory-built homes be treated the same as other residential properties in zoning regulations. It directly affects local governments, homeowners, and housing developers by mandating equal treatment in zoning districts and establishing a rebuttable presumption that placing these homes will not negatively impact property values. The legislation also updates definitions to include mobile homes and house trailers under manufactured housing, allows manufactured housing as a commercial purpose on state trust land leases, and defines tiny dwelling units as 350 to 750 square feet on permanent foundations. Additionally, the bill clarifies that local design review standards must be clear, objective, and necessary to protect public health or safety.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates equal zoning treatment for manufactured homes, increasing housing options and preventing discriminatory zoning restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Zoning

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 3842: Remove the restriction on inclusionary zoning

This bill removes state-level restrictions that currently prevent Montana cities and towns from requiring developers to pay fees or dedicate land for affordable housing. By repealing specific sections of the Montana Code Annotated, the legislation allows local governments to mandate that housing projects include units for specified income levels or sell at specified prices. The key change eliminates the prohibition on fees and land dedications that were previously in place under state zoning laws. Local municipalities would gain the authority to implement inclusionary zoning policies to address housing affordability within their jurisdictions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes state restrictions on inclusionary zoning, allowing cities to mandate affordable housing units and fees, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 4, 2025

LC 1655: Revise municipal zoning to allow for triplex and fourplex housing

This bill requires cities with at least 5,000 residents to allow duplex, triplex, and fourplex housing on lots where single-family homes are permitted, ensuring these multi-unit options face no stricter zoning rules than single-family homes. It also mandates that urban municipalities with municipal water and sewer systems allow multiple-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments in commercial zones, while limiting off-street parking requirements to one space per unit. Additionally, the legislation encourages cities to adopt various housing strategies such as reducing minimum lot sizes, eliminating certain impact fees, and relaxing design requirements to promote more diverse housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands housing options by allowing multi-unit dwellings in single-family zones and reducing parking requirements, directly increasing affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning Tags Local Government

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 492: Revise municipal zoning laws related to parking requirements

HB 492 revises municipal zoning laws by setting new limits on the minimum parking space requirements local governments can impose on new developments. The bill generally caps required parking for residential units at one space per unit and for commercial spaces at one space per 5,000 square feet, with specific exemptions for certain types of projects like affordable housing or smaller commercial spaces. If a city or town chooses to require more parking than these new limits, it must compensate the developer or property owner for the real cost of constructing the additional spaces. This legislation directly affects municipal zoning authorities and developers within those areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing from parking mandates, reducing development costs and advancing affordable housing goals through zoning reform.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use 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

Track

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

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 378: Remove the restriction on inclusionary zoning

HB 378 proposes to remove state-level prohibitions that currently restrict local governments from requiring certain contributions for housing development. The bill would repeal existing laws preventing cities, towns, and counties from mandating fees or land dedications from developers for the purpose of providing housing for specified income levels or sale prices. If enacted, this would allow local governments to include such requirements in their zoning regulations and conditions for approving new additions or developments. This change would directly affect local government planning capabilities and property owners or developers undertaking new projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves state barriers to inclusionary zoning, enabling local mandates for affordable housing units at specified income levels95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning Tags Local Government

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 252: Revise land use laws related to manufactured and factory built homes

SB 252 revises land use laws concerning manufactured and factory-built housing. The bill requires municipal and county zoning regulations to treat these housing types the same as other residential units, preventing differential treatment. It also establishes a rebuttable presumption that placing manufactured or factory-built homes in residential zones will not adversely affect conventional property values. Additionally, the bill includes manufactured housing as an allowable commercial purpose in state trust land leases and provides relevant definitions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires equal zoning for manufactured homes, removes barriers to affordable housing development, prevents discriminatory treatment in residential zones95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning