Building our Future Together - Development Code Update
Updated draft text as of Oct 29, 2024
Updated Draft zoning map reflecting updated text draft
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!
Updated draft text as of Oct 29, 2024
Updated Draft zoning map reflecting updated text draft
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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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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Engagement Update
Share Engagement Update on Facebook Share Engagement Update on Twitter Share Engagement Update on Linkedin Email Engagement Update linkWe’ve been busy meeting with high school and university students, community members, city staff, advisory boards, and City Commission. Midway through our engagement efforts, here’s what we’ve done and who we’ve heard from so far. The stats below provide a high-level summary of where we've been, who we've talked to, and what we've heard so far.
- 7 mobile engagement station events
- More than 250 people spoken with
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157 completed engagement surveys (click here to learn more and participate)
- Most popular topics include Height Limits, Housing Diversity, Solar Power Generation and Urban Agriculture
- 2 neighborhood group meetings
- 2 development and design professionals focus groups
- Over 40 high school and college students during class visits and focus group conversations
- Major takeaways:
- Interest in creating more connected neighborhoods where pedestrian and biker safety is prioritized
- Increasing the amount of mixed-use land throughout the city was popular, tempered by concern about encroachment into existing neighborhoods
- Widespread interest in creating a greater variety of housing types throughout Bozeman
Continue to stay involved as we continue our outreach efforts throughout the course of this project, and remember to come back to this site for the latest updates!
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Community Development Board Work Session Debrief
Share Community Development Board Work Session Debrief on Facebook Share Community Development Board Work Session Debrief on Twitter Share Community Development Board Work Session Debrief on Linkedin Email Community Development Board Work Session Debrief linkLast week the project team participated in a virtual work session with the Community Development Board. They discussed progress on the project so far, including some of the draft regulations for residential zoning districts and a summary of community engagement efforts conducted through the end of 2022. Check out the presentation and meeting recording at the links below to learn more!
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Engagement Update
Share Engagement Update on Facebook Share Engagement Update on Twitter Share Engagement Update on Linkedin Email Engagement Update linkHappy New Year, Bozeman!
The MSU “Street Team” has been out and about the last semester with a mobile engagement station to gather input for the city’s development code update. You might have seen them at city parks, the Winter Farmer’s Market, HandMADE Fair, or most recently at the Christmas Stroll. Architecture students Rebecca Hennings and Krista Hunton have been leading the outreach efforts for the MSU Street Team and were joined by Daisy Parnell, Jenavieve Lynch, and City Planner Tom Rogers.
Your input on things like housing diversity, height limits, and sustainable design will help the consultant team, Community Development Board, and City Commission improve regulations around new development to help our community meet climate goals, achieve the vision in our Community Plan, and address housing supply and affordability in Bozeman.
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Online Project Surveys
Share Online Project Surveys on Facebook Share Online Project Surveys on Twitter Share Online Project Surveys on Linkedin Email Online Project Surveys linkOver the last few months, we’ve 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 the direction of our revisions to the UDC.
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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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 over the next few weeks both virtually and in-person. Keep an eye out for the following events and engagement opportunities, with even more to come after the holidays:
- Winter Farmers Market – Gallatin County Fairgrounds – date(s) tbd
- Online engagement surveys are live! Click here to learn more and provide your feedback (link)
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City Commission Work Session #3 Debrief - Sustainability
Share City Commission Work Session #3 Debrief - Sustainability on Facebook Share City Commission Work Session #3 Debrief - Sustainability on Twitter Share City Commission Work Session #3 Debrief - Sustainability on Linkedin Email City Commission Work Session #3 Debrief - Sustainability linkThe project team had a third UDC-focused work session with the City Commission this week, focused on sustainability. Here's what we discussed:
- The city's approach to regulating urban agriculture (both residential and larger-scale commercial operations)
- Requirements for EV charging in new developments
- The sale of home-grown and home-produced agricultural products
The City Commission provided the following guidance to the project team:
- Aim high for EV-charging requirements - pursue options that encourage more "EV-ready" and installed solutions, as opposed to "EV-capable"
- Allow for height encroachments for rooftop greenhouses
- Allow the development of context-sensitive urban agriculture in commercial zones
- Consider more thoroughly the impacts of allowing sales of home-based agricultural goods in residential zones
Visit the City Commission page here to view the meeting recording and minutes (link). The consultant team's presentation is available in the Presentation Materials section of this website (link).
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Reminder - Sustainability Work Session Tomorrow, 11/15
Share Reminder - Sustainability Work Session Tomorrow, 11/15 on Facebook Share Reminder - Sustainability Work Session Tomorrow, 11/15 on Twitter Share Reminder - Sustainability Work Session Tomorrow, 11/15 on Linkedin Email Reminder - Sustainability Work Session Tomorrow, 11/15 linkThe project team has their next work session with the City Commission tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15. The discussion will focus on how the new UDC will address issues related to sustainability. You can find the materials, an agenda, and the link to join the meeting online or in person on the city’s website.
We will post a summary of the meeting as well as presentation slides to this site shortly after the session.
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11/15 City Commission Work Session - Sustainability
Share 11/15 City Commission Work Session - Sustainability on Facebook Share 11/15 City Commission Work Session - Sustainability on Twitter Share 11/15 City Commission Work Session - Sustainability on Linkedin Email 11/15 City Commission Work Session - Sustainability linkWe will post a summary of the meeting as well as presentation slides to this site shortly after the session.
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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
this is an upcoming stage for Building our Future Together - Development Code UpdateA revised text draft and zoning map have been prepared to update for 6 ordinances and several zone map amendments and annexation adopted since the last draft was published. The RA district was modified to reflect a consolidation of the current RS, R1, and R2 districts. A several month period of public outreach on the new draft will be held with a follow "deep dive" into identified topics to follow.
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Project End Date: TBD
this is an upcoming stage for Building our Future Together - Development Code Update
Key Dates
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December 09 2024
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December 12 2024
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December 11 2024
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December 05 2024
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December 04 2024
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December 02 2024
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October 01 2024
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September 17 2024
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?
- How are residential zoning districts being consolidated?
- How will historic district standards and NCOD standards be applied even though increased density will be permitted in some residential districts?
- Is there any location in Bozeman where land is zoned for manufactured home communities?
- 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?
- 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 fall 2023, 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
- UDC Top Edits Handout 11-18-2024.pdf (140 KB) (pdf)
- Bozeman UDC Public Review Draft Oct 29, 2024 .pdf (21.5 MB) (pdf)
- Community Engagement Plan Phase 2 (746 KB) (pdf)
- Bozeman UDC Public Review Sep 7 DRAFT (23.7 MB) (pdf)
- UDC Top Edits Handout Aug 2023 (137 KB) (pdf)
- UDC Replacement UPDATED Public Notice 9-13-2023 (45.7 KB) (pdf)
- UDC Replacement Public Notice (38.4 KB) (pdf)
- Consolidated Outreach List 9-29-2023.pdf (160 KB) (pdf)
- Bozeman UDC Public Review Aug 14 DRAFT (23.6 MB) (pdf)
Presentation and Participation Materials
- Project Introduction slides (322 KB) (pdf)
- Dec 2024 UDC Open House Display Boards (13.4 MB) (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
Custom
Inform: Giving information to the community
Consult: Asking for the community's input on alternatives