2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 76. Land Resources and Use › Chapter 3. Local Regulation of Subdivisions › Part 6. Local Review Procedure › 76-3-611. Review of final plat

76-3-611. Review of final plat.
(1) The governing body or the agent or agency designated by the governing body shall examine each final plat, and the governing body shall approve the plat only if:
(a) it conforms to the conditions of approval set forth on the preliminary plat and to the terms of this chapter and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter; and
(b) the county treasurer has certified that all real property taxes and special assessments assessed and levied on the land to be subdivided have been paid.
(2) (a) The governing body may require that final plats and certificates of survey be reviewed for errors and omissions in calculation or drafting by an examining land surveyor before recording with the county clerk and recorder. When the survey data shown on the plat or certificate of survey meets the conditions pursuant to this chapter, the examining land surveyor shall certify the compliance in a printed or stamped certificate on the plat or certificate of survey. The certificate must be signed by the surveyor.
(b) A land surveyor may not act as an examining land surveyor in regard to a plat or certificate of survey in which the surveyor has a financial or personal interest.
(3) (a) A final plat is considered to be received on the date of delivery to the governing body or the agent or agency designated by the governing body when accompanied by the review fee submitted as provided in 76-3-602.
(b) Within 20 working days of receipt of a final plat, the governing body or the agent or agency designated by the governing body shall determine whether the final plat contains the information required under subsections (1) and (2) and shall notify the subdivider or, with the subdivider's written permission, the subdivider's agent of that determination in writing. If the governing body or its agent or agency determines that the final plat does not contain the information required under subsections (1) and (2), the governing body or its agent or agency shall identify the final plat's defects in the notification.
(c) The governing body or its agent or agency may review subsequent submissions of the final plat only for information found to be deficient during the original review of the final plat under subsection (3)(b).
(d) If the governing body determines that an examining land surveyor must review a final plat pursuant to subsection (2)(a), the governing body or its agent or agency shall identify the requirement in its notification.
(e) The time limits provided in subsection (3)(b) apply to each submission of the final plat until a written determination is made that the final plat contains the information required under subsections (1) and (2) and the subdivider or the subdivider's agent is notified.
(4) If a determination is made under subsection (3)(b) that the final plat contains the information required under subsections (1) and (2), the governing body shall review and approve or deny the final plat within 20 working days.
(5) The subdivider or the subdivider's agent and the governing body or its reviewing agent or agency may mutually agree to extend the review periods provided for in this section.
History: En. Sec. 9, Ch. 500, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 334, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 553, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 11-3867(part); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 273, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 293, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 251, L. 2017.