MontanaHB 71369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise municipal zoning laws

Sponsored By: Larry Brewster (Republican)

Signed by Governor

PlanningCities and TownsLocal Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Public zoning hearings and joint annexation hearings

Cities and towns must hold a public hearing before any zoning rule, restriction, or boundary change takes effect. They must publish the time and place at least 15 days in advance in a local newspaper. Residents and interested parties can speak at the hearing. For annexations, a city may hold one combined hearing on annexation and the new city zoning if the city zoning is comparable to county zoning, matches county-approved uses, or follows a growth policy for that land. One combined hearing meets the city’s zoning notice and hearing duty for the annexation.

State zoning protest process ended

The law repeals the state protest process for changing zoning rules (Montana Code 76-2-305). People can no longer use that statute to file a protest. They must rely on other local or legal ways to challenge zoning changes.

Faster zone boundary changes

When a change only moves a zone map boundary, the city council adopts it by resolution. The boundary change takes effect immediately when adopted. This applies only if no other zoning rules are changed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Larry Brewster
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Forrest Mandeville
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 290 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 96 • No: 3

House vote • 3/5/2025