HOW ZONING SHAPES COMMUNITIES

THE GOOD, BAD AND HOPEFUL ASPECTS 

OF THE CENTURY-OLD TOOL THAT DETERMINES

EVERYTHING ABOUT THE PLACES WE LIVE, WORK AND PLAY

The Montana governor convened a task force and several pro-affordable housing preemptive laws were passed with bipartisan support, which include:

Streamlining the subdivision process, especially by expanding exemptions from the state’s environmental assessment requirement.

Clarifying that cities can allow tiny homes.

Opening commercial zones to housing development.

Allowing duplexes anywhere that single-family homes are permitted in cities with more than 5,000 residents.

Formalizing planning procedures and requiring each city to enact any five out of a list of 14 significant pro-housing regulatory changes.

Limiting the use of design review.

Requiring municipalities to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) without parking mandates or owner-occupancy requirements.