Building our Future Together - Development Code Update

Share Building our Future Together - Development Code Update on Facebook Share Building our Future Together - Development Code Update on Twitter Share Building our Future Together - Development Code Update on Linkedin Email Building our Future Together - Development Code Update link
The City Commission has restarted engagement and work on this project. See the News Feed for updates.

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!

The City Commission has restarted engagement and work on this project. See the News Feed for updates.

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!

  • 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!

  • 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 link
    supporting image

    There 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

    • Downtown Christmas Stroll – Dec 3rd 4:30-7:30pm


  • 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! link
    supporting image

    Our 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

  • 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 link

    Last 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!



  • 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 link

    Our 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).

  • 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 link
    supporting image

    Our 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

  • 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 link
    supporting image

    There 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

    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

  • 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 link
    supporting image

    The 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.

  • 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 link

    We 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).

  • 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 link
    supporting image

    Our 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.

Page last updated: 10 Dec 2024, 08:16 AM