Growth Policy Update Entering Adoption Phase

Following a jurisdictional change that went into effect July 1st, 2026 (background below), land within the former Belgrade extraterritorial planning jurisdictMap Caption: The Belgrade "Donut" or ETJ is shown in light blue, it includes 4.5 miles surrounding Belgrade city limits ion or "ETJ" needs to be incorporated into the County Growth Policy and the portions of Belgrade’s Growth Policy that apply to the former ETJ rescinded.

This update is necessary to ensure a consistent planning approach across Gallatin County. The proposal also includes routine updates to the Growth Policy for accuracy, clarity, and compliance with state law review mandates.

Upcoming Public Hearings

The Growth Policy update will be considered during each public hearing below. There will be opportunity for verbal public comment at each hearing:

• Planning Board on September 8^th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The Planning Board will make a recommendation on the proposal to the County Commission.
• County Commission on September 15^th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The County Commission will decide on a resolution of intent to adopt the proposal.
• County Commission on September 22^nd, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The County Commission to decide on a resolution adopting the proposal.

All three hearings will take place in the Gallatin County Courthouse Community Room, 311 W. Main Street, Bozeman, MT and will be live streamed on Zoom. For the Zoom meeting links, see the Planning Board and County Commission websites or contact the Planning Department at 406-582-3130.

Written comments on the proposal can be emailed to envision@gallatin.mt.gov or delivered/mailed to the Planning Department in the Gallatin County Courthouse, Room 108, 311 W Main St., Bozeman.

Project Materials

• Growth Policy Document. Review the proposed updates to the Growth Policy here. Content proposed to be added to the Growth Policy appears in red underline and content proposed to be removed is in red strikethrough.
  
  
• Future Land Use Map. Review the interactive map showing the draft 2026 update of the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) alongside the original 2024 FLUM here. Instructions on how to use the map are shown on the right side of the page, and updated data is noted in the "Data Sources" tab on the top right of the page.
  • The draft updates to the 2026 FLUM followed the same process that was used to create the 2024 FLUM replacing any out of date data. The process used to create the 2024 FLUM can be found here

Public engagement events were held in July of 2026 to discuss the project and hear feedback, scroll down to "past events & meeting materials" for more information.

Still have questions? Check out our F.A.Q or send us an email: envision@gallatin.mt.gov!

Project Background

Last year, the City of Belgrade initiated the process to change who handles land use planning and development review in the 4.5 mile “donut” around their city limits. This area, formerly called Belgrade’s “extra-territorial planning jurisdiction” or ETJ, had been under shared City-County authority since 1975. Belgrade initiated the change primarily to focus capacity on meeting the requirements of the Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA).

On July 1^st, 2026 planning and development review responsibility in this area was transferred to Gallatin County. The City and County are working together on the transition, as announced in this joint press release.

Importantly, as part of MLUPA, the City of Belgrade will still prepare planning documents that address land use outside of city limits but within the former ETJ. However, these planning documents only apply if property is annexed into the City of Belgrade. Without annexation, the County’s planning documents apply.

Past Events & Meeting Materials

• July Open Houses to Discuss Belgrade ETJ Transition & Growth Policy Update:
  • July 7th Open House 4-7pm at Central Valley Fire District Station 1 in Belgrade
  • July 7th Virtual from 12-1pm meeting recording, passcode: t!P&Hz8M
  • July 6th Open House 4-7pm at Bozeman Library.

The first draft of the Growth Policy updates discussed during July outreach can be found here and interactive map Future Land Use Map for that draft can be found here. Informational boards used at the July outreach meetings and the presentation slides from the Zoom meeting can be found under "documents" on the right side of the page

• May 12^th, 2026 - County Commission Meeting - 9 a.m. - Materials and Recording
  Discussion and Direction to Planning Department on Three Long-Range Planning Initiatives: 1) Belgrade Extraterritorial Planning Jurisdiction Transition; 2) Required Growth Policy Update; 3) Draft Boundary for Growth Area Focused Zoning Reform (Gallatin County Planning Department)

Other Ways to Participate:

• Register to get notified via email about project updates and public meetings. If you have trouble registering, instructions are on the Envision Gallatin homepage. You can also give us a call at 406-582-3130.
• Ask a question using the "Ask" button below. Frequent questions will be added to the FAQ on the right.