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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Code Connect #1 Debrief
Share Code Connect #1 Debrief on Facebook Share Code Connect #1 Debrief on Twitter Share Code Connect #1 Debrief on Linkedin Email Code Connect #1 Debrief link
The project team hosted the first Code Connect webinar last Thursday, Oct. 27th. About 20 community members tuned in to learn about our progress on the UDC rewrite, ask questions, and offer input. If you weren’t able to attend the session, you can view the recording of the meeting here (LINK), and find the presentation slides in the Documents section of this site.Video: View the Oct. 27th meeting recording (external link)
Slideshow: View the Oct. 27th meeting slides
Follow along here on engage.bozeman.net/udc for future updates, and be sure to join our next Code Connect session on Thursday, Dec. 1st. Thank you!
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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 UDC update next month, both virtually and in-person.
Keep an eye out for the following events and engagement opportunities, with link to virtual events also posted on this site:
City Commission Work Session (Topic: Sustainability) – Tuesday Nov. 15, 6:00pm
Winter Farmers Market – Gallatin County Fairgrounds – dates coming soon!
Code Connect #2 (virtual) – Thursday Dec. 1, 6:00pm – Click here for more information
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Downtown Christmas Stroll – Dec 3rd 4:30-7:30pm
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Reminder - Code Connect this Thursday!
Share Reminder - Code Connect this Thursday! on Facebook Share Reminder - Code Connect this Thursday! on Twitter Share Reminder - Code Connect this Thursday! on Linkedin Email Reminder - Code Connect this Thursday! linkOur first Code Connect webinar will happen this Thursday, October 27th at 6:00pm. Join to hear the project team provide an update on their progress so far, discussing formatting of the updated UDC and changes to zoning districts, and answer any questions you might have.
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.
Meeting information:
Topic: Bozeman UDC Update - Code Connect
Time: Oct 27, 2022 06:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85953798231
Meeting ID: 859 5379 8231
Dial in by phone: +1 719-359-4580 US
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kefGd6iFMq
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Recent In-Person Engagement Activities
Share Recent In-Person Engagement Activities on Facebook Share Recent In-Person Engagement Activities on Twitter Share Recent In-Person Engagement Activities on Linkedin Email Recent In-Person Engagement Activities linkLast week, part of our project team from Interboro Partners was in town conducting intercept activities across the city, and attending the Inter-Neighborhood Council meeting last Thursday. You might have seen them (and their bright green table!) at one of their many stops, including:
- Main Street & Rouse Ave at Soroptomist Park
- Gallatin County Regional Park
- Bozeman MADE Fair at MSU
- Langhor Community Garden
- Peets Hill and Burke Park
The team from Interboro, assisted by MSU architecture and planning students, spoke to over 120 people, receiving about 20 written comments and handing out more than 80 informational packets. Early takeaways from these events include:
- Affordability of living in Bozeman is a key concern
- Mobile home parks are one crucial affordable housing type
- Interest in more multi-household housing types with consideration for height and placement
- Interest in preserving the character of single-household neighborhoods
- Interest in encouraging a variety of housing types, including mixed-density neighborhoods
While we work to incorporate feedback received in the last few weeks, future opportunities to engage with the project team will be posted in advance on this site, as well as virtual versions of the in-person materials. As always, check back often or subscribe above to stay up-to-date!
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City Commission Work Session #2 Debrief - Zoning Districts
Share City Commission Work Session #2 Debrief - Zoning Districts on Facebook Share City Commission Work Session #2 Debrief - Zoning Districts on Twitter Share City Commission Work Session #2 Debrief - Zoning Districts on Linkedin Email City Commission Work Session #2 Debrief - Zoning Districts linkOur second UDC-focused work session with the City Commission last week went well. Here's what we discussed:
- The consolidation of residential zoning districts, consistent with the Community Plan
- The overall approach to consolidating, removing, and changing existing districts in the code
- Height limits in commercial and mixed-use districts
- Zone edge transitions
The City Commission provided the following guidance to the project team:
- Pursue a bold approach to consolidating residential districts, potentially into as few as two districts ("Option A" in the supporting presentation)
- Explore increasing allowable building heights in some commercial districts, potentially in conjunction with new step-back requirements and transitions
- Create transition standards which better ensure the compatibility of adjacent zoning districts
Visit the City Commission page here to view the meeting recording and minutes (link).
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Code Connect Webinar #1 - Thursday, 10/27 at 6:00pm
Share Code Connect Webinar #1 - Thursday, 10/27 at 6:00pm on Facebook Share Code Connect Webinar #1 - Thursday, 10/27 at 6:00pm on Twitter Share Code Connect Webinar #1 - Thursday, 10/27 at 6:00pm on Linkedin Email Code Connect Webinar #1 - Thursday, 10/27 at 6:00pm linkOur first Code Connect webinar will happen on Thursday, October 27th at 6:00pm. Join to hear the project team provide an update on their progress so far discussing formatting of the updated UDC and changes to zoning districts, and answer any questions you might have.
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.
Meeting information:
Topic: Bozeman UDC Update - Code Connect
Time: Oct 27, 2022 06:00 PM Mountain Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85953798231
Meeting ID: 859 5379 8231
Dial in by phone: +1 719-359-4580 US
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kefGd6iFMq
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October Engagement Opportunities
Share October Engagement Opportunities on Facebook Share October Engagement Opportunities on Twitter Share October Engagement Opportunities on Linkedin Email October Engagement Opportunities linkThere are plenty of opportunities to get involved and engage with the project next month both virtually and in-person. More information can be found on this site. Keep an eye out for the following events and engagement opportunities:
Thurs. October 13th
Presentation and interactive engagement activity at Inter Neighborhood Council meeting.
- Time: 4:30-6pm
- Location: City Commission Meeting Rm @ City Hall - 121 N. Rouse Ave
Friday October 14th
Interactive engagement activity - find us out and about!
- 12-2pm: Main Street & Rouse Ave at Soroptomist Park
- 3-5pm: Gallatin County Regional Park
Saturday, October 15th
Interactive engagement activity - find us out and about!
- 9-11am: Bozeman MADE Fair at the Brick Breeden Field House at MSU
- 12-2pm: Langhor Community Garden
- 3-5pm: Peets Hill/Burke Park Parking lot
Tuesday, October 18th
City Commission work session on zoning districts
- Time: 6pm
- Location: Bozeman City Hall, and online at www.bozeman.net/meetings
Thursday, October 27th
Code Connect webinar - an hour-long event with plenty of time for Q&A to learn more about the project and hear our progress so far
- Time: 6:00pm
- Location: Online - link will be posted to engage.bozeman.net/udc
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Project Team Community Tour
Share Project Team Community Tour on Facebook Share Project Team Community Tour on Twitter Share Project Team Community Tour on Linkedin Email Project Team Community Tour linkThe project team had their first work session recently and got to tour some parts of our city. If you have ideas of other locations to examine as examples of what to do (or what not to do!) leave a comment on this page.
During the work session, the team also had conversations with stakeholder groups made up of local architects and developers. If you have a group of stakeholders who are interested in meeting with the project team, please reach out directly via email.
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City Commission Work Session Debrief
Share City Commission Work Session Debrief on Facebook Share City Commission Work Session Debrief on Twitter Share City Commission Work Session Debrief on Linkedin Email City Commission Work Session Debrief linkWe had a productive first UDC-focused work session with the City Commission last week! Here's what we discussed:
- The use of colors and graphics to improve readability of the code
- Web hosting services to display the UDC online
- The consultant team’s opinion on the organization and order of the current UDC document
- The target audience for a revised UDC
The City Commission provided the following guidance to the project team:
- Prioritize robust public engagement to accurately interpret policies and ensure the UDC meets community needs
- Move forward with an illustrated, colorized, consolidated approach as presented in the meeting materials
- Ensure that changes to the document layout and organization prioritize affordability and ease-of-use
Visit the City Commission page here to view the meeting recording and minutes (link).
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City Commission Work Session - Formatting and Organization
Share City Commission Work Session - Formatting and Organization on Facebook Share City Commission Work Session - Formatting and Organization on Twitter Share City Commission Work Session - Formatting and Organization on Linkedin Email City Commission Work Session - Formatting and Organization linkOur first engagement opportunity is coming up soon! The project team has a work session with City Commission next Tuesday, September 13. Our discussion will focus on formatting and organization of the new UDC document. Please join in person or online at https://www.bozeman.net/departments/city-commission/commission-meeting-video.
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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