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About the Project
The goal of this project is to create "model" zoning content focused on housing affordability that can be used to update existing zoning or to inform the creation of new zoning regulations in the future. 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
Includes standards to promote the development of high-qualityunits 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 life stages and promote aging in place.
Applicability
The content of the Model Code will predominately focus on the Urban or Rural Growth areas shown on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM), as these are areas with existing development and infrastructure. The Code also includes some content to address the adjacent Public Infrastructure Holding Areas and Managed Growth Areas. This "Model code" is intended to be used as a reference to inform updates to zoning related to housing in any of the corresponding Future Land Use categories from the FLUM.
Focus Areas
Project outreach is currently focused in Four Corners (Urban Growth Area and Public Infrastructure Holding Area) and the Gallatin Gateway Community Core (Rural Growth Area) because of the service and infrastructure availability in the areas relative to other parts of the County's jurisdiction, and because of increasing growth pressure. See the chart and maps below! The right pane on this page also includes the project trajectory, documents, and an FAQ!
Focus Area 1: Four Corners
Focus Area 2: Gallatin Gateway Community Core
About the Project
The goal of this project is to create "model" zoning content focused on housing affordability that can be used to update existing zoning or to inform the creation of new zoning regulations in the future. 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
Includes standards to promote the development of high-qualityunits 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 life stages and promote aging in place.
Applicability
The content of the Model Code will predominately focus on the Urban or Rural Growth areas shown on the Future Land Use Map (FLUM), as these are areas with existing development and infrastructure. The Code also includes some content to address the adjacent Public Infrastructure Holding Areas and Managed Growth Areas. This "Model code" is intended to be used as a reference to inform updates to zoning related to housing in any of the corresponding Future Land Use categories from the FLUM.
Focus Areas
Project outreach is currently focused in Four Corners (Urban Growth Area and Public Infrastructure Holding Area) and the Gallatin Gateway Community Core (Rural Growth Area) because of the service and infrastructure availability in the areas relative to other parts of the County's jurisdiction, and because of increasing growth pressure. See the chart and maps below! The right pane on this page also includes the project trajectory, documents, and an FAQ!
Focus Area 1: Four Corners
Focus Area 2: Gallatin Gateway Community Core
Page last updated: 04 Sep 2025, 12:53 PM
Project Trajectory
Housing Strategy and FLUM adopted
Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing has finished this stage
Late 2024: Future Land Use Map and Housing Strategy adopted, showing where development is most suitable in the County's jurisdiction and how the County can assist with affordable housing efforts.
MDC Grant Received
Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing has finished this stage
Late 2024: $30,000 grant from Department of Commerce received to help fund Model Code project.
Project Steering Committee Formed
Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing has finished this stage
Early 2025: Steering committee is formed to help guide the project; the Committee meets every other month
Stakeholder Interviews
Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing has finished this stage
April 2025: The project team conducts 12 stakeholder interviews with housing and community professionals to set the stage for the project.
Drop-in workshops and community survey
Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing has finished this stage
Summer 2025: Drop-in workshops were held in Four Corners and Gallatin Gateway to allow residents to share feedback about the project, an online survey was also available on the website for six weeks
Public Engagement Summary
Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing is currently at this stage
Now: The project team is working on compiling the feedback gathered from the public engagement events and survey, once complete, a summary will be available on this page!
Draft of Model Code Released for Public Comment
this is an upcoming stage for Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing
Next: Learnings from public engagement and existing plans and policies will be used to guide the development of the first draft of the Model Code, expected to be released in fall of 2025 for public comment.
Model Zoning Code Finalized
this is an upcoming stage for Model Zoning Code for Affordable Housing
Later: Public comment on the draft version of the Code will be used to develop the final version, which will then be published on the County Planning website and available to use!
