PRIA Logo™
MontanaSB 21469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Revise zoning laws to clarify decisions regarding prior nonconforming use of property

Sponsored By: Greg Hertz (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Local GovernmentPlanningPropertyCities and TownsCounties

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger rights for existing property uses

If your property's use was legal when a zoning rule took effect, you can keep that use. The county can end it only if you change the use after the rule or you abandon it. When rules are unclear, officials must read them in favor of the use, including nonconforming uses. These protections apply now, on passage and approval.

City staff handle design checks

City employees must decide if your zoning permit or variance meets design rules. The city cannot require review by outside boards, like a historic preservation board, for that compliance check. This streamlines decisions and removes extra review steps.

Towns can allow tiny-home zones

Your town can create zones that allow tiny dwelling units. A tiny home is 350 to 750 square feet on a permanent foundation. It must be used as a single-family home for at least 45 days. Appendix Q of the 2023 building code governs other requirements for these homes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Greg Hertz

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 211 • No: 186

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 52 • No: 48

House vote • 4/11/2025

AMD-SB0214.002.004 Strand DO PASS

Yes: 41 • No: 59

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 50 • No: 48

Senate vote • 2/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 34 • No: 16

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 34 • No: 15

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/8/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/5/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/25/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/21/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/12/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  10. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend

    4/11/2025House

  11. Committee Report

    4/9/2025House

  12. Committee Executive Action

    4/8/2025House

  13. Hearing

    3/6/2025House

  14. 1st Reading

    2/28/2025House

  15. Referred to Committee

    2/28/2025House

  16. Transmitted to House

    2/27/2025Senate

  17. 3rd Reading

    2/27/2025Senate

  18. 2nd Reading

    2/26/2025Senate

  19. Committee Report

    2/25/2025Senate

  20. Committee Executive Action

    2/24/2025Senate

  21. Hearing

    2/1/2025Senate

  22. Referred to Committee

    1/27/2025Senate

  23. 1st Reading

    1/27/2025Senate

  24. Introduced

    1/24/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/25/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/24/2025

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation