Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing

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Feedback Form Closed, Stay Tuned for Updates!

Feedback on the Draft Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing was collected via an online feedback form from December 15th, 2025, through February 2nd, 2026. Though the feedback form is now closed, the draft may still be reviewed by clicking on the above link and the video tutorial remains available here.

The project team is now reviewing all feedback submitted and working on edits to the draft Model Code in preparation for finalization. The Model Code will be presented to the County Commission for acceptance as a reference document later this year. Once accepted, the Model Code will be linked on the Planning Department website and available for use!

Sign up for the Envision Gallatin email list by emailing envision@gallatin.mt.gov to receive project updates direct to your inbox!

Public Meeting Recording

Planning staff presented the Model Code project before the Commission during a regularly scheduled public meeting on January 27th, 2026. During the meeting, members of the public provided comment on the draft Code and the Commission discussed the draft and all comments they had received on the project, both written and verbal, up to that point. Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide comments, your time is deeply appreciated! A recording of that meeting can be found here. The slides used during the presentation and links to the studies and papers that were referenced verbally can be found here and in the documents pane on the right side of the screen.

Questions or Technical Difficulties?

If you experience any technical issues interacting with the draft Model Code, give us a call at 406-582-3130 or stop by Room 108 at 311 W Main St. in Bozeman and we would be happy to help you navigate. In addition to the video above, background information about the project is included in the introduction to the Model Code and below. Use the links on the right side of this page to view public outreach documents and other Model Code materials. As always, additional comments and questions can be sent to envision@gallatin.mt.gov.



About the Project

The goal of this project is to create "model" zoning content focused on housing affordability. The Model Code can then be used like a menu to make targeted updates to existing zoning regulations or provide starter content to inform the creation of new zoning regulations. The Model Code will include example standards appropriate for rural areas with limited infrastructure and services as well as standards for areas with more robust infrastructure and services.

Importantly, while housing density can increase affordability in some areas, the County’s jurisdiction is not appropriate for high density development in all areas. This project seeks to create zoning content that promotes housing affordability that is appropriate given local considerations and development constraints reflected in the Growth Policy and Future Land Use Map.

The primary goals of this project are to create model zoning content that:

Does not create barriers to affordability through arbitrary or overly restrictive standards

Supports existing property owners, developers, and non-profits seeking to create affordable housing that is appropriate given existing infrastructure and services

Includes standards to promote the development of high-quality units and mitigate the impacts of development

Promotes high quality of life for current and future residents, focusing on things like efficient water use and transportation

Housing is considered affordable when it takes up no more than 30% of a household's gross income. Affordable housing can be in many different shapes and sizes, in fact, the 2024 County Housing Strategy describes how different types of housing are needed to meet the needs of community members in different stages of life and promote aging in place.

The Model Code fills a specific gap by providing technical content for very specific challenges (quality affordable housing) and builds on a continuum of long-range planning efforts like the County’s Growth Policy, Future Land Use Map, and neighborhood plans. The content in these foundational plans acts as a compass to guide the development of the Model Code.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the Model Code. The right pane on this page also includes the project trajectory, a documents section that includes information gathered through public outreach to date, and an FAQ.


Applicability

The content of the Model Code will predominately focus on the Urban or Rural Growth areas shown on the Future Land Use Map or FLUM. The Code also includes some content to address the adjacent Public Infrastructure Holding Areas and Managed Growth Areas. Importantly, the Model Code is a tool, not a zoning proposal. Adoption of any of the model standards, whether as part of a new zoning district or targeted updates to existing zoning, will include public hearings and opportunities for further input.


Relationship to the Zoning Reform Discussion

The various long-range planning efforts in Gallatin County are meant to work together and build on each other to deliver on the larger goals expressed in the County’s Growth Policy. A lot of individual components are required to realize the vision of a planning framework that manages growth and protects the County’s most loved attributes.

Zoning Reform is an overarching initiative the County Commission is exploring to determine how best to address a variety of land use concerns through a more intentional approach to expansion of zoning. The Model Code is a concurrent effort to provide a menu of quality content to address a gap in the County’s existing library of zoning regulations. For example, the County has a lot of experience with developing and administering zoning codes that are appropriate for very rural areas, but we have very limited experience with developing code that is appropriate for urban, urbanizing, and small-town core areas.

We’ve heard concerns from residents that new housing is unaffordable to local residents and promotes long commute times, increasing traffic on local roads. These existing concerns highlight the need for this project, which aims to foster housing that is both affordable to local residents and decreases commute times, promoting livability and quality of life. If the Commission pursues updates to zoning or new zoning regulations in any of the areas mentioned above, the Model Code provides a tool to help those efforts move more quickly and smoothly.


Feedback Form Closed, Stay Tuned for Updates!

Feedback on the Draft Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing was collected via an online feedback form from December 15th, 2025, through February 2nd, 2026. Though the feedback form is now closed, the draft may still be reviewed by clicking on the above link and the video tutorial remains available here.

The project team is now reviewing all feedback submitted and working on edits to the draft Model Code in preparation for finalization. The Model Code will be presented to the County Commission for acceptance as a reference document later this year. Once accepted, the Model Code will be linked on the Planning Department website and available for use!

Sign up for the Envision Gallatin email list by emailing envision@gallatin.mt.gov to receive project updates direct to your inbox!

Public Meeting Recording

Planning staff presented the Model Code project before the Commission during a regularly scheduled public meeting on January 27th, 2026. During the meeting, members of the public provided comment on the draft Code and the Commission discussed the draft and all comments they had received on the project, both written and verbal, up to that point. Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide comments, your time is deeply appreciated! A recording of that meeting can be found here. The slides used during the presentation and links to the studies and papers that were referenced verbally can be found here and in the documents pane on the right side of the screen.

Questions or Technical Difficulties?

If you experience any technical issues interacting with the draft Model Code, give us a call at 406-582-3130 or stop by Room 108 at 311 W Main St. in Bozeman and we would be happy to help you navigate. In addition to the video above, background information about the project is included in the introduction to the Model Code and below. Use the links on the right side of this page to view public outreach documents and other Model Code materials. As always, additional comments and questions can be sent to envision@gallatin.mt.gov.



About the Project

The goal of this project is to create "model" zoning content focused on housing affordability. The Model Code can then be used like a menu to make targeted updates to existing zoning regulations or provide starter content to inform the creation of new zoning regulations. The Model Code will include example standards appropriate for rural areas with limited infrastructure and services as well as standards for areas with more robust infrastructure and services.

Importantly, while housing density can increase affordability in some areas, the County’s jurisdiction is not appropriate for high density development in all areas. This project seeks to create zoning content that promotes housing affordability that is appropriate given local considerations and development constraints reflected in the Growth Policy and Future Land Use Map.

The primary goals of this project are to create model zoning content that:

Does not create barriers to affordability through arbitrary or overly restrictive standards

Supports existing property owners, developers, and non-profits seeking to create affordable housing that is appropriate given existing infrastructure and services

Includes standards to promote the development of high-quality units and mitigate the impacts of development

Promotes high quality of life for current and future residents, focusing on things like efficient water use and transportation

Housing is considered affordable when it takes up no more than 30% of a household's gross income. Affordable housing can be in many different shapes and sizes, in fact, the 2024 County Housing Strategy describes how different types of housing are needed to meet the needs of community members in different stages of life and promote aging in place.

The Model Code fills a specific gap by providing technical content for very specific challenges (quality affordable housing) and builds on a continuum of long-range planning efforts like the County’s Growth Policy, Future Land Use Map, and neighborhood plans. The content in these foundational plans acts as a compass to guide the development of the Model Code.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the Model Code. The right pane on this page also includes the project trajectory, a documents section that includes information gathered through public outreach to date, and an FAQ.


Applicability

The content of the Model Code will predominately focus on the Urban or Rural Growth areas shown on the Future Land Use Map or FLUM. The Code also includes some content to address the adjacent Public Infrastructure Holding Areas and Managed Growth Areas. Importantly, the Model Code is a tool, not a zoning proposal. Adoption of any of the model standards, whether as part of a new zoning district or targeted updates to existing zoning, will include public hearings and opportunities for further input.


Relationship to the Zoning Reform Discussion

The various long-range planning efforts in Gallatin County are meant to work together and build on each other to deliver on the larger goals expressed in the County’s Growth Policy. A lot of individual components are required to realize the vision of a planning framework that manages growth and protects the County’s most loved attributes.

Zoning Reform is an overarching initiative the County Commission is exploring to determine how best to address a variety of land use concerns through a more intentional approach to expansion of zoning. The Model Code is a concurrent effort to provide a menu of quality content to address a gap in the County’s existing library of zoning regulations. For example, the County has a lot of experience with developing and administering zoning codes that are appropriate for very rural areas, but we have very limited experience with developing code that is appropriate for urban, urbanizing, and small-town core areas.

We’ve heard concerns from residents that new housing is unaffordable to local residents and promotes long commute times, increasing traffic on local roads. These existing concerns highlight the need for this project, which aims to foster housing that is both affordable to local residents and decreases commute times, promoting livability and quality of life. If the Commission pursues updates to zoning or new zoning regulations in any of the areas mentioned above, the Model Code provides a tool to help those efforts move more quickly and smoothly.

Page last updated: 09 Feb 2026, 10:39 AM