Zoning Reform Discussions

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New! Update on Zoning Reform at Public Hearings

Update on Zoning Reform: The Planning Department will provide an update on zoning reform at the Planning Board Hearing scheduled on September 23rd and the County Commission hearing scheduled on October 21st.


Whether you have been participating since the Listening Sessions, or are new to the Zoning Reform Discussion, public participation is welcome and encouraged!

What will happen at the hearings? At both hearings, the Planning Department will present a summary of the additional detail, requested by the County Commission following the May 13th hearing. At the Planning Board hearing on September 23rd, a representative from the County Commission will provide a summary of Commissioner perspectives so far on these options, allowing for a discussion among members of the Planning Board and public comment. At the County Commission hearing on October 21st, the County Commission will consider public comment, discuss their perspectives, and provide verbal direction on which, if any, option the Planning Department should begin work on.

How can you participate? Both hearings will provide the opportunity for written and verbal public comment. Written comment can be submitted prior to the hearings to envision@gallatin.mt.gov. Verbal testimony can be provided in person or virtually.

  • Planning Board Hearing – September 23rdat 6pm – 311 West Main Street, Bozeman – Community Room
  • County Commission Hearing – October 21stat 9 am 311 West Main Street, Bozeman – Community Room

Are you new to the County discussions on Zoning reform? Check out the resources and information about what has happened so far below!

Zoning Reform Listening Sessions

In February-March of 2025, the County Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Planning Board held three Community Listening Sessions on Zoning Reform (recordings and resources below) to kick-off conversations about re-evaluating the County's zoning framework and how it could improve. Then, the Commissions/Board held a public meeting to debrief what was learned in the listening sessions.

Direction to Planning Department

On May 13th, the Commission gave direction to staff about which zoning reform options are off the table and which they are interested in investigating further. The Commission requested additional information on options 3-5 from the Zoning Reform Spectrum handout, eliminating options 1 and 6-8 from further consideration at this time.

At the regularly scheduled County Commission hearing on October 21st, the County Commission will consider information compiled by the Planning Department, feedback from the Planning Board, and public comment before directing the Planning Department to begin work on their preferred next steps, if any.

Stay Informed about Next Steps

More information on the next steps for zoning reform will be advertised on this website once available, and distributed to folks on the Envision Gallatin email list, social media, and a variety of other formats.

To sign up for the email list, send a message to envision@gallatin.mt.gov. This conversation is just beginning- stay tuned for more opportunities to participate!

Stay informed about Gallatin County initiatives and engagement opportunities, sign up for the County Bulletin

Follow Gallatin County on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn | Nextdoor | YouTube

Resources

Planning staff has published a video series to help residents understand zoning and potential reform options. Each link below leads to a video in the four-part series, except for Part 1, each video includes chapter links in the description to allow you to skip around to different parts at your discretion.

Part 1: Introduction to Series on Gallatin County Planning Framework

Part 2: Gallatin County Planning 101

Part 3: Why Talk about Zoning Reform as a Community?

Part 4: Zoning Reform, What Does it Mean and What Could it Look Like?

ZONING REFORM SPECTRUM HANDOUT

Background on Zoning Reform Listening Sessions:

The County has a complex zoning framework consisting of 22 independently operating zoning districts that were created over the course of several decades. Though a tremendous amount of citizen participation has gone into the creation and updates of the 22 districts over the years, their independent nature makes it difficult to update them in response to community needs, new information about wildlife and water, or to reduce confusion or errors to better serve the public. For example, changing a simple typo across all districts requires at least 22 public hearings and 22 individual public notice procedures to make the same change, which can be confusing and costly for the public.

Additionally, about 74% of private land in the County is not zoned, which means that there are few local review mechanisms available in these areas to ensure that any impacts of development on water quality and quantity, agriculture, wildlife, roads, and more are mitigated. With increases in new and innovative land use types across the County, as well as tremendous growth pressures, the County Commission, boards, and staff are investigating what, if any, reforms to our zoning framework are needed to better serve residents and protect the County's most loved attributes.

Past Events

Commission Direction to Staff on Next Steps for Zoning Reform

May 13th, 2025, at 9:00 AM - County Commission, Recording: AV Capture All

Listening Sessions on Zoning Reform Debrief

April 15th, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM - County Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Planning Board, and Planning staff listening, Partial Recording: AV Capture All

Community Listening Sessions on Zoning Reform

March 25th, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM - County Commission, Planning Board, and Planning staff listening
Recording: AV Capture All

March 13th, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM -County Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Planning staff listening
Recording: AV Capture All

February 18th, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - County Commission & Planning staff listening
Recording: AV Capture All



New! Update on Zoning Reform at Public Hearings

Update on Zoning Reform: The Planning Department will provide an update on zoning reform at the Planning Board Hearing scheduled on September 23rd and the County Commission hearing scheduled on October 21st.


Whether you have been participating since the Listening Sessions, or are new to the Zoning Reform Discussion, public participation is welcome and encouraged!

What will happen at the hearings? At both hearings, the Planning Department will present a summary of the additional detail, requested by the County Commission following the May 13th hearing. At the Planning Board hearing on September 23rd, a representative from the County Commission will provide a summary of Commissioner perspectives so far on these options, allowing for a discussion among members of the Planning Board and public comment. At the County Commission hearing on October 21st, the County Commission will consider public comment, discuss their perspectives, and provide verbal direction on which, if any, option the Planning Department should begin work on.

How can you participate? Both hearings will provide the opportunity for written and verbal public comment. Written comment can be submitted prior to the hearings to envision@gallatin.mt.gov. Verbal testimony can be provided in person or virtually.

  • Planning Board Hearing – September 23rdat 6pm – 311 West Main Street, Bozeman – Community Room
  • County Commission Hearing – October 21stat 9 am 311 West Main Street, Bozeman – Community Room

Are you new to the County discussions on Zoning reform? Check out the resources and information about what has happened so far below!

Zoning Reform Listening Sessions

In February-March of 2025, the County Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Planning Board held three Community Listening Sessions on Zoning Reform (recordings and resources below) to kick-off conversations about re-evaluating the County's zoning framework and how it could improve. Then, the Commissions/Board held a public meeting to debrief what was learned in the listening sessions.

Direction to Planning Department

On May 13th, the Commission gave direction to staff about which zoning reform options are off the table and which they are interested in investigating further. The Commission requested additional information on options 3-5 from the Zoning Reform Spectrum handout, eliminating options 1 and 6-8 from further consideration at this time.

At the regularly scheduled County Commission hearing on October 21st, the County Commission will consider information compiled by the Planning Department, feedback from the Planning Board, and public comment before directing the Planning Department to begin work on their preferred next steps, if any.

Stay Informed about Next Steps

More information on the next steps for zoning reform will be advertised on this website once available, and distributed to folks on the Envision Gallatin email list, social media, and a variety of other formats.

To sign up for the email list, send a message to envision@gallatin.mt.gov. This conversation is just beginning- stay tuned for more opportunities to participate!

Stay informed about Gallatin County initiatives and engagement opportunities, sign up for the County Bulletin

Follow Gallatin County on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn | Nextdoor | YouTube

Resources

Planning staff has published a video series to help residents understand zoning and potential reform options. Each link below leads to a video in the four-part series, except for Part 1, each video includes chapter links in the description to allow you to skip around to different parts at your discretion.

Part 1: Introduction to Series on Gallatin County Planning Framework

Part 2: Gallatin County Planning 101

Part 3: Why Talk about Zoning Reform as a Community?

Part 4: Zoning Reform, What Does it Mean and What Could it Look Like?

ZONING REFORM SPECTRUM HANDOUT

Background on Zoning Reform Listening Sessions:

The County has a complex zoning framework consisting of 22 independently operating zoning districts that were created over the course of several decades. Though a tremendous amount of citizen participation has gone into the creation and updates of the 22 districts over the years, their independent nature makes it difficult to update them in response to community needs, new information about wildlife and water, or to reduce confusion or errors to better serve the public. For example, changing a simple typo across all districts requires at least 22 public hearings and 22 individual public notice procedures to make the same change, which can be confusing and costly for the public.

Additionally, about 74% of private land in the County is not zoned, which means that there are few local review mechanisms available in these areas to ensure that any impacts of development on water quality and quantity, agriculture, wildlife, roads, and more are mitigated. With increases in new and innovative land use types across the County, as well as tremendous growth pressures, the County Commission, boards, and staff are investigating what, if any, reforms to our zoning framework are needed to better serve residents and protect the County's most loved attributes.

Past Events

Commission Direction to Staff on Next Steps for Zoning Reform

May 13th, 2025, at 9:00 AM - County Commission, Recording: AV Capture All

Listening Sessions on Zoning Reform Debrief

April 15th, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM - County Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Planning Board, and Planning staff listening, Partial Recording: AV Capture All

Community Listening Sessions on Zoning Reform

March 25th, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM - County Commission, Planning Board, and Planning staff listening
Recording: AV Capture All

March 13th, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM -County Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Planning staff listening
Recording: AV Capture All

February 18th, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM - County Commission & Planning staff listening
Recording: AV Capture All



Page last updated: 21 Oct 2025, 02:50 PM