2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 76. Land Resources and Use › Chapter 2. Planning and Zoning › Part 2. County Zoning › 76-2-206. Interim zoning district or regulation

76-2-206. Interim zoning district or regulation.
(1) Except as provided in 76-2-240 and subject to subsection (3) of this section, the board of county commissioners may establish an interim zoning district or interim regulation to address an emergency that involves the public health, safety, morals, or general welfare if:
(a) the purpose of the interim zoning district or interim regulation is to classify those uses and related matters that must be regulated to mitigate the emergency; and
(b) within 30 working days, the county initiates a study or investigation to verify that an emergency exists and to identify the facts and circumstances that constitute the emergency, the potential options for mitigating the emergency, and the course of action that the governing body intends to take, if any, during the term of the interim zoning district or interim regulation to mitigate the emergency.
(2) A resolution for an interim zoning district or interim regulation must be limited to 1 year from the date it becomes effective. Subject to subsections (4) and (5), the board of county commissioners may extend the resolution for 1 year, but not more than one extension may be made.
(3) The board of county commissioners shall observe the following procedures in the establishment of an interim zoning district or interim regulation:
(a) Notice of a public hearing on the proposed interim zoning district boundaries or of the interim regulation must be published as provided in 7-1-2121. In addition to the requirements of 7-1-2121, the notice must state:
(i) the boundaries of the proposed district;
(ii) the specific emergency compelling the establishment of the proposed interim zoning district or interim regulation;
(iii) the general character of the proposed interim zoning district or interim regulation, including how those uses and related matters that must be regulated to mitigate the emergency will be classified and regulated; and
(iv) that the proposed interim zoning district or interim regulation is on file for public inspection at the office of the county clerk and recorder.
(b) At the public hearing, the board of county commissioners shall give the public an opportunity to be heard regarding the proposed establishment of an interim zoning district or interim regulation.
(c) After the hearing, the board of county commissioners may adopt a resolution to establish an interim zoning district or interim regulation.
(4) The board of county commissioners shall observe the following procedures in the extension of a resolution pursuant to subsection (2):
(a) A study or investigation as provided in subsection (1)(b) must be completed prior to the hearing on the proposed extension of the resolution.
(b) Notice of a public hearing on the proposed extension of the resolution must be published as provided in 7-1-2121. In addition to the requirements of 7-1-2121, the notice must state:
(i) the boundaries of the existing interim zoning district;
(ii) the specific emergency that compelled the establishment of the existing interim zoning district or interim regulation and the reason for the proposed extension of the resolution; and
(iii) that the proposed extension of the resolution is on file for public inspection at the office of the county clerk and recorder.
(c) At the public hearing, which must be held prior to the expiration of the existing interim zoning district or interim zoning regulation, the board of county commissioners shall give the public an opportunity to be heard regarding the proposed extension of the resolution.
(5) After the hearing provided for in subsection (4), the board of county commissioners may in its discretion extend the resolution for the interim zoning district or interim regulation.
History: En. 16-4711 by Sec. 20, Ch. 273, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 16-4711; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 582, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 87, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 446, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 56, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 416, L. 2013.