Building our Future Together - Development Code Update
Click here to view the draft code document
Click here to view the proposed zoning map
If you missed the chance to attend an Open House, check out the slides and recording from the virtual Open House on August 28th. The slides from the September 11th Community Development board are available as well.
This project is all about implementing the vision and goals established in our city’s guiding documents such as the 2020 Community Plan (aka Growth Policy), the Climate Plan, and strategic priorities like affordable housing.
These broad visions, goals, and priorities are implemented through the Unified Development Code or “UDC” or “the code.” The UDC sets forth regulations around what kinds of development can occur in which areas through development standards and zoning districts.
The goal for this engagement effort is to consult the community on how to improve usability of the UDC and how the regulations in the UDC can help us accommodate growth while meeting community goals in our Community Plan, Climate Plan and others.
Throughout the project residents, developers, builders, and the community at large will be consulted on specific topics relevant to how different people interact with the code. Specific focus areas will be:
Formatting, organization of the UDC
Zoning Districts
Sustainability
Parking
Transportation
This project page will be the place to go for updates on how to engage in person, virtually, or on your own time. You can subscribe to email updates specific to this project by clicking “Follow Project” on the right hand side of this page. We're glad you're here!
Click here to view the draft code document
Click here to view the proposed zoning map
If you missed the chance to attend an Open House, check out the slides and recording from the virtual Open House on August 28th. The slides from the September 11th Community Development board are available as well.
This project is all about implementing the vision and goals established in our city’s guiding documents such as the 2020 Community Plan (aka Growth Policy), the Climate Plan, and strategic priorities like affordable housing.
These broad visions, goals, and priorities are implemented through the Unified Development Code or “UDC” or “the code.” The UDC sets forth regulations around what kinds of development can occur in which areas through development standards and zoning districts.
The goal for this engagement effort is to consult the community on how to improve usability of the UDC and how the regulations in the UDC can help us accommodate growth while meeting community goals in our Community Plan, Climate Plan and others.
Throughout the project residents, developers, builders, and the community at large will be consulted on specific topics relevant to how different people interact with the code. Specific focus areas will be:
Formatting, organization of the UDC
Zoning Districts
Sustainability
Parking
Transportation
This project page will be the place to go for updates on how to engage in person, virtually, or on your own time. You can subscribe to email updates specific to this project by clicking “Follow Project” on the right hand side of this page. We're glad you're here!
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Code Connect #3 Recording Available - Commercial Districts and Transitions
Share Code Connect #3 Recording Available - Commercial Districts and Transitions on Facebook Share Code Connect #3 Recording Available - Commercial Districts and Transitions on Twitter Share Code Connect #3 Recording Available - Commercial Districts and Transitions on Linkedin Email Code Connect #3 Recording Available - Commercial Districts and Transitions linkAs a reminder, the project team hosted a Code Connect meeting on Wednesday, March 8th, where we provided an update on commercial zoning districts and zone edge transitions. You can find the presentation and recording of the meeting here:
Code Connect meetings will take place roughly every other month throughout the course of the project, to inform the community about the project and gather input on proposed approaches. We will post about these meetings in advance on this page, so be sure to check back often - our next session on Parking and Transportation scheduled for April 20th.
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Reminder - Code Connect Tomorrow, 3/8
Share Reminder - Code Connect Tomorrow, 3/8 on Facebook Share Reminder - Code Connect Tomorrow, 3/8 on Twitter Share Reminder - Code Connect Tomorrow, 3/8 on Linkedin Email Reminder - Code Connect Tomorrow, 3/8 linkJoin us at the next Code Connect meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, March 8th! The project team will recap their February 14th work session with the City Commission, discuss progress on code drafting, and answer questions about the project. Code Connect meetings will take place roughly every other month throughout the course of the project, to inform the community about the project and gather input on proposed approaches.
Topic: Commercial Districts and Zone Edge Transitions
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 8 at 6:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84562733565
Meeting ID: 845 6273 3565
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keiutIMEZt
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Mid-Project Intercept Activity Report
Share Mid-Project Intercept Activity Report on Facebook Share Mid-Project Intercept Activity Report on Twitter Share Mid-Project Intercept Activity Report on Linkedin Email Mid-Project Intercept Activity Report linkThroughout the course of the UDC revision process, the project team has been conducting outreach activities both online and in-person. Our lead engagement consultant Interboro Partners has put together a summary of their intercept activity findings (so far!) which you can view now here (link).
Here are some key takeaways from our engagement efforts so far:
Hot topics include Height Limits, Housing Diversity, and Solar Power Generation.
Some respondents were comfortable with increased building heights as long as they accommodate affordable housing.
Others pointed to specific areas of Bozeman that would be appropriate places for taller buildings along major corridors like Huffine, Oak, and 19th. Some residents opposed taller buildings anywhere in Bozeman.
Share your thoughts on these topics and more at https://bozeman-code.net/ - more topics will be posted soon!
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City Commission Work Session Debrief – Commercial Zones, Transitions, and Parking
Share City Commission Work Session Debrief – Commercial Zones, Transitions, and Parking on Facebook Share City Commission Work Session Debrief – Commercial Zones, Transitions, and Parking on Twitter Share City Commission Work Session Debrief – Commercial Zones, Transitions, and Parking on Linkedin Email City Commission Work Session Debrief – Commercial Zones, Transitions, and Parking link- Zone edge transition strategies, including angle planes, setbacks, stepbacks, and landscaped buffers
- The allocation of land among various commercial and mixed-use zoning districts
- Which zoning districts should be maintained, modified, or removed from the code
- Where in Bozeman there should be no minimum parking requirements
- The number of parking spaces required elsewhere in the city
The City Commission provided the following guidance to the project team on districts and transitions:- Pursue a strategy including the use of a fixed building stepback for zone edge transitions
- Consider the use of landscaped buffers (including water-wise requirements) and come back to Commission for further direction
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Update several zoning districts, including:
- Change most (but not all) B-2 zoning to B-2M,
- Reconfigure the B-1 district,
- Modernize the B-P district,
- Maintain and modernize the NEHMU district, and
- Remove/consolidate the R-O and UMU districts.
Regarding parking, the City Commission directed the following:- Consult with advisory boards for further guidance on what other urban renewal areas to remove parking requirements (like parts of the Midtown area today)
- Implement the Downtown Plan recommendations:
- Remove minimum parking requirements in the core area downtown (roughly Main St. from Rouse to Grand)
- Reduce the commercial parking requirements in the rest of the B-3 zone
- Reduce and simplify other parking minimums citywide.
Visit the City Commission page here to view the meeting recordings and minutes (link). The consultant team's presentation is also available in the Presentation Materials section of this website - parking here (link), and commercial districts and transitions here (link).
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Code Connect Webinar #3 – Wednesday, 3/8
Share Code Connect Webinar #3 – Wednesday, 3/8 on Facebook Share Code Connect Webinar #3 – Wednesday, 3/8 on Twitter Share Code Connect Webinar #3 – Wednesday, 3/8 on Linkedin Email Code Connect Webinar #3 – Wednesday, 3/8 linkJoin us at the next Code Connect meeting on Wednesday, March 8th! The project team will recap this month’s work sessions with the City Commission, discuss progress on code drafting, and answer questions about the project. Code Connect meetings will take place every other month throughout the course of the project, to inform the community about the project and gather input on proposed approaches.
Topic: Commercial Districts, Zone Transitions and Parking
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 8 at 6:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84562733565
Meeting ID: 845 6273 3565
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keiutIMEZt
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City Commission Work Session #5 – Parking
Share City Commission Work Session #5 – Parking on Facebook Share City Commission Work Session #5 – Parking on Twitter Share City Commission Work Session #5 – Parking on Linkedin Email City Commission Work Session #5 – Parking linkThe project team has their next work session with City Commission on Tuesday, February 28th. Our discussion will focus on parking regulations in the revised UDC.
You can find the related materials, agenda, and the link to join the meeting online the city’s website (link). We’ll post a summary of the meeting as well as presentation slides to this site shortly after the session.
We will also meet with the Community Development Board the day before, on Monday, February 27th to discuss our progress on the UDC revision so far. You can find out more and join the meeting virtually here (link). Thank you for staying engaged!
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Reminder: City Commission Work Session #4 – Transitions and Commercial Zoning
Share Reminder: City Commission Work Session #4 – Transitions and Commercial Zoning on Facebook Share Reminder: City Commission Work Session #4 – Transitions and Commercial Zoning on Twitter Share Reminder: City Commission Work Session #4 – Transitions and Commercial Zoning on Linkedin Email Reminder: City Commission Work Session #4 – Transitions and Commercial Zoning linkThe project team has their next work session with City Commission on this Tuesday, February 14th. Our discussion will focus on how the new UDC will approach zone edge transitions, and general updates to commercial and mixed-use zoning districts.
You can find the related materials, agenda, and the link to join the meeting online the city’s website (link). We’ll post a summary of the meeting as well as presentation slides to this site shortly after the session. Thank you for staying engaged!
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2/14 City Commission Work Session – Transitions and Commercial Zoning
Share 2/14 City Commission Work Session – Transitions and Commercial Zoning on Facebook Share 2/14 City Commission Work Session – Transitions and Commercial Zoning on Twitter Share 2/14 City Commission Work Session – Transitions and Commercial Zoning on Linkedin Email 2/14 City Commission Work Session – Transitions and Commercial Zoning linkThe project team has their next work session with City Commission on Tuesday, February 14th. Our discussion will focus on how the new UDC will approach zone edge transitions, and general updates to commercial and mixed-use zoning districts.
You can find the related materials, agenda, and the link to join the meeting online the city’s website (link). We’ll post a summary of the meeting as well as presentation slides to this site shortly after the session. Thank you for staying engaged!
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Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
Share Upcoming Engagement Opportunities on Facebook Share Upcoming Engagement Opportunities on Twitter Share Upcoming Engagement Opportunities on Linkedin Email Upcoming Engagement Opportunities linkThere are plenty of opportunities to get involved and engage with the project next month both virtually and in-person. Keep an eye out for the following events and engagement opportunities:
- Ongoing: Online engagement surveys (click here to learn more and participate)
- City Commission Work Session #4 – Commercial Zoning – February 14th
- Community Development Board UDC Work Session – February 27th
- City Commission Work Session #5 – Parking – February 28th
- Code Connect Webinar #3 – Zoning Districts and Parking – March 8th
We will also be scheduling more in-person engagement station events on a regular basis, so be sure to check back on this page often. We look forward to hearing your thoughts!
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Reminder: Online Engagement Surveys
Share Reminder: Online Engagement Surveys on Facebook Share Reminder: Online Engagement Surveys on Twitter Share Reminder: Online Engagement Surveys on Linkedin Email Reminder: Online Engagement Surveys linkOver the last several months, the project team has conducted in-person activities with informational pamphlets and surveys about topics related to the UDC update. These materials are now available online for you to review, interact with, and provide feedback on! The responses we gather both online and in-person will be used to inform our revisions to the UDC. We will continue to update this page with new topics throughout the project, so check back often.
Follow the link below to go to our virtual library, available in English and Spanish, and provide your input. We look forward to hearing what you have to say!
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Project Timeline
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Project Start Date: Summer 2022
Building our Future Together - Development Code Update has finished this stage -
Phase 1: Kick-off & Data Collection (Summer 2022)
Building our Future Together - Development Code Update has finished this stageIn the first phase, the project team will work together to review existing materials, draft an engagement plan, and launch the project.
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Phase 2: Analysis & Framework (Fall 2022 - Spring 2023)
Building our Future Together - Development Code Update has finished this stageIn Phase 2 of the project the team will conduct engagement with stakeholders throughout Bozeman, including the general public, the development and design communities, and through several topic-focused work sessions with the City Commission. This engagement will inform proposed changes to the code.
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Phase 3: Code Drafting (Winter 2022 - Summer 2023)
Building our Future Together - Development Code Update has finished this stageThe project's third phase involves the project team synthesizing public engagement received in Phase 2 with direction from the City Commission, to reorganize the existing UDC and draft new regulations as needed. This phase will end with a legal review of the updated UDC, a period for public review and comment on the draft changes to the UDC, and a final adoption-ready draft.
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Phase 4: Supplemental Public Engagement
Building our Future Together - Development Code Update is currently at this stageIn Phase 4, a supplemental engagement plan will be drafted, adopted by the City Commission, and then carried out. The information gathered will help refine the draft prior to public review and adoption processes.
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Phase 5: Public Review and Adoption (on pause until early 2025)
this is an upcoming stage for Building our Future Together - Development Code Update -
Project End Date: TBD
this is an upcoming stage for Building our Future Together - Development Code Update
Key Dates
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October 01 2024
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September 17 2024
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October 30 2023
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October 16 2023
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October 10 2023
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August 23 → August 24 2023
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August 28 2023
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September 11 2023
We're in the news!
- Fairfield Sun Times: Bozeman looking for feedback on new development code, zoning drafts
- MT Right Now: Bozeman looking for feedback on new development code, zoning drafts
- Billings Fox: Bozeman looking for feedback on new development code, zoning drafts
- Bozeman looking for feedback on new development code, zoning drafts
- Bozeman releases draft of development code rewrite
FAQs
- What is the UDC?
- What can (and can't) the UDC regulate?
- Where does the UDC apply?
- Will there be future updates to the UDC?
- What is the Community Plan?
- What is Zoning?
- Are there other planning and regulatory updates underway?
- Is there any location in Bozeman where R-MH is zoned/allowed?
- What keeps 4 stories from being super tall (like >>50ft in height?)
- For any subdivisions, when/where is the cut-off for vesting to current vs new UDC codes?
- Can you speak to when zoning transitions apply? Common lot lines? Alley?
- If a subdivision got approved for Preliminary Plat, and then UDC gets passed, then can the Final Plat be under NEW UDC, or vests back to City Code from Application Complete, for example?
- You mention building heights etc., and I am seeing several different terms such as wall plate height, story height. Will these definitions be clarified?
- If a site has easements within the frontage area that prohibits the percentage of built frontage listed for in the District Standard, B-2 for example, can relief be provided or clarified in the final code?
- Do you have consulting provisions for those boundaries between city and county property?
- How will historic district standards and NCOD standards be applied even though increased density will be permitted in some residential districts?
- How are residential zoning districts being consolidated?
- Will Short Term Rental regulations change if residential zoning districts are changing?
- If we have more questions- who do we ask?
- What other code updates are in process or being planned for the future?
- Since the UDC project was delayed in the fall, what is the anticipated timeline for the review and adoption of the new code?
- Is the City going to start over on the UDC rewrite, or continue with the current draft of the code?
- Why doesn’t the UDC include provisions to require affordable housing in new developments?
- How will the new code regulate fraternities and sororities?
- Is the draft prohibiting construction of single detached homes or preventing subdivision for new single home lots?
- What types of housing are being built in Bozeman now?
Code Documents
- Community Engagement Plan Phase 2 (746 KB) (pdf)
- Bozeman UDC Public Review Sep 7 DRAFT (23.7 MB) (pdf)
- Bozeman UDC Public Review Aug 14 DRAFT (23.6 MB) (pdf)
- UDC Top Edits Handout (137 KB) (pdf)
- UDC Replacement Public Notice (38.4 KB) (pdf)
- UDC Replacement UPDATED Public Notice 9-13-2023 (45.7 KB) (pdf)
- Consolidated Outreach List 9-29-2023.pdf (160 KB) (pdf)
Presentation and Participation Materials
- Project Introduction slides (322 KB) (pdf)
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Commission Work Session Materials
- 2-28 Commission Work Session - Parking (7.55 MB) (pdf)
- 2-14 Commission Work Session Slides - Commercial Districts and Transitions (13.5 MB) (pdf)
- 11-15 Commission Work Session Slides - Sustainability (1.43 MB) (pdf)
- 10-18 Commission Work Session Slides - Zoning Districts (17.2 MB) (pdf)
- 9-13 Commission Work Session slides - Formatting (4.65 MB) (pdf)
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Code Connect Presentations
- Code Connect Aug 28 chat with response 8-29-2023.pdf (543 KB) (pdf)
- Virtual Open House slides 08-28-2023 (7.51 MB) (pdf)
- Code Connect Slides_Parking_April 20.pdf (5.5 MB) (pdf)
- Code Connect Slides March 8 - Transitions and Commercial Districts (21.4 MB) (pdf)
- CodeConnect_Sustainability_12-1.pdf (1.98 MB) (pdf)
- Code Connect Slides October 27 (12 MB) (pdf)
- Community Development Board Materials
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Engagement Brochures
- ADUs (591 KB) (pdf)
- B-1 Neighborhood Business Districts (1010 KB) (pdf)
- B2 to B2M (21.7 MB) (pdf)
- Bike Parking (1.97 MB) (pdf)
- Business Park Zoning (2.27 MB) (pdf)
- Corner-Oriented Development (3.86 MB) (pdf)
- Corridor-Oriented Development (5.88 MB) (pdf)
- Employment-Oriented Development (1.01 MB) (pdf)
- EV-Capable Parking (639 KB) (pdf)
- Height Limits (4.11 MB) (pdf)
- Housing Diversity (2.79 MB) (pdf)
- LID Standards (1.41 MB) (pdf)
- Mixed Use Development (25.6 KB) (pdf)
- Neighborhood Scale Retail (2.51 MB) (pdf)
- Planning for Climate Change (841 KB) (pdf)
- School-Oriented Development (2.39 MB) (pdf)
- Solar Power (24.4 KB) (pdf)
- Transitions (872 KB) (pdf)
- Urban Agriculture (24.6 KB) (pdf)
- Vehicle Parking (1.18 MB) (pdf)
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Folletos de Participación
- Agricultura Urbana (500 KB) (pdf)
- B-1 Distrito Empresarial del Vecindario (1010 KB) (pdf)
- B2-a-B2M (21.7 MB) (pdf)
- Cicloparqueaderos (1.96 MB) (pdf)
- Comercial a Escala de Vecindario (911 KB) (pdf)
- Desarrollo de Uso Mixto (703 KB) (pdf)
- Diversidad de Vivienda (835 KB) (pdf)
- Desarrollo Orientado a Corredores (1.14 MB) (pdf)
- Desarrollo Orientado al Empleo (354 KB) (pdf)
- Desarrollo Orientado a Esquinas (1020 KB) (pdf)
- Desarrollo Orientado a la Escuela (645 KB) (pdf)
- Estacionamiento Apto para Vehiculos Electricos (644 KB) (pdf)
- Estandares de Desarrollo de Bajo Impacto (1.41 MB) (pdf)
- Estacionamiento de Vehiculos (1.18 MB) (pdf)
- Generacion de Energia Solar (900 KB) (pdf)
- Limites de Altura (1.02 MB) (pdf)
- Planificacion para el Cambio Climatico (801 KB) (pdf)
- Transiciones de Borde de Zona (873 KB) (pdf)
- Unidades de Vivienda Accesorias (667 KB) (pdf)
- Zonificacion del Parque Empresarial (2.26 MB) (pdf)
- Engagement Reports
Who's Listening
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CS
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Custom
Inform: Giving information to the community
Consult: Asking for the community's input on alternatives