2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 76. Land Resources and Use › Chapter 25. Montana Land Use Planning Act › Part 3. Zoning › 76-25-305. Effect on zoning regulations and map

76-25-305. Effect on zoning regulations and map.
(1) After the adoption of a zoning regulation, map, or amendment pursuant to 76-25-304, any application proposing development of a site is subject to the process set forth in this section.
(2) (a) When a proposed development lies entirely within an incorporated city, or is proposed for annexation into the city, the application must be submitted to and approved by the city.
(b) Except as provided in subsections (2)(a) or (2)(c), when a proposed development lies entirely in an unincorporated area, the application must be submitted to and approved by the county.
(c) If a proposed development lies within an area subject to increased growth pressures, higher development densities, or other urban development influences identified by either jurisdiction in 76-25-213, the jurisdiction shall provide other impacted jurisdictions the opportunity to review and comment on the application.
(d) If the proposed development lies partly within an incorporated city, the application and materials must be submitted to and approved by both the city and the county governing bodies.
(3) Zoning compliance permits and other ministerial permits may be issued by the planning administrator or the planning administrator's designee without any further review or analysis by the governing body, except as provided in 76-25-503.
(4) If a proposed development, with or without variances or deviations from adopted standards, is in substantial compliance with the zoning regulations or map and all impacts resulting from the development were previously analyzed and made available for public review and comment prior to the adoption of the land use plan, zoning regulation, map, or amendment thereto, the application must be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the planning administrator and is not subject to any further public review or comment, except as provided in 76-25-503.
(5) (a) If a proposed development, with or without variances or deviations from adopted standards, is in substantial compliance with the zoning regulations and map but may result in new or significantly increased potential impacts that have not been previously identified and considered in the adoption of the land use plan or zoning regulations, the planning administrator shall proceed as follows:
(b) request that the applicant collect any additional data and perform any additional analysis necessary to provide the planning administrator and the public with the opportunity to comment on and consider the impacts identified in subsection (5)(a);
(c) collect any additional data or perform additional analysis the planning administrator determines is necessary to provide the local government and the public with the opportunity to comment on and consider the impacts identified in subsection (5)(a); and
(d) provide notice of a 15-business day written comment period during which the public has the reasonable opportunity to participate in the consideration of the impacts identified in subsection (5)(a).
(6) (a) Any additional analysis or public comment on a proposed development described in subsection (5) must be limited to only any new or significantly increased impacts potentially resulting from the proposed development, to the extent the impact was not previously identified or considered in the adoption or amendment of the land use plan or zoning regulations.
(b) The planning administrator shall approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application. The planning administrator's decision is final and no further action may be taken except as provided in 76-25-503.
(7) If an applicant proposes to develop a site in a manner or to an extent that the development is not in substantial compliance with the zoning regulations or map, the applicant shall propose an amendment to the regulations or map and follow the process provided for in 76-25-304.
History: En. Sec. 22, Ch. 500, L. 2023.