Building our Future Together - Development Code Update

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

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

Thank you for sharing your comments!

The Comments section is closed, but don't worry - the public review process is still underway! Comments posted here will be compiled with the community input from the duration of this project and included as public comment to Community Development Board and City Commission.

From this point on, please direct all input and comments on the draft code to agenda@bozeman.net.

If you have questions on the draft code, please check out our FAQs section or post a question in the "Questions?" tool which we will be monitoring and responding to throughout the rest of the public review process. Thanks!

-UDC Project Team

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  • Share I'm worried. on Facebook Share I'm worried. on Twitter Share I'm worried. on Linkedin Email I'm worried. link

    I'm worried.

    by Greg Beardslee, about 1 year ago

    My wife and I have lived in Bozeman for 43 years. Our children were born and raised here. Our daughter elected to stay here, have children and is a community member of great value. Our son can’t afford to come home. I hope that our home can be passed on to our children, that our dream won’t be wrecked by adjacent towers blocking sun and views. R2 zoning has protected our dream.

    Newcomers stream into Bozeman, continuing to drive property values and taxes skyward, inadvertently driving working class residents out, eroding the very fabric and soul of Bozeman. Established residents... Continue reading

  • Share Stop destroying Bozeman in the name of unattainable "affordable housing" on Facebook Share Stop destroying Bozeman in the name of unattainable "affordable housing" on Twitter Share Stop destroying Bozeman in the name of unattainable "affordable housing" on Linkedin Email Stop destroying Bozeman in the name of unattainable "affordable housing" link

    Stop destroying Bozeman in the name of unattainable "affordable housing"

    by RP, about 1 year ago

    Writing as a frustrated Bozeman resident of 19+ years. The Bozeman City Commission seems to have completely sold out its long time residents to Developers and outside demand to destroy our farmlands and neighborhoods - in the name of “affordable housing” - which will NEVER come to fruition.


    No desirable town/city has EVER built their way to affordable housing. EVER. Name one. You can't. And they will destroy what makes this place special in their efforts to retroactively meet outside demand. There are so many building projects happening that Developers are importing foreign labor - creating even more housing competition!

    ... Continue reading

  • Share Against the changing of residential zoning. Pro - truly affordable housing. on Facebook Share Against the changing of residential zoning. Pro - truly affordable housing. on Twitter Share Against the changing of residential zoning. Pro - truly affordable housing. on Linkedin Email Against the changing of residential zoning. Pro - truly affordable housing. link

    Against the changing of residential zoning. Pro - truly affordable housing.

    by John Hosking, about 1 year ago

    Of the many ways that changes (development) have hurt the quality of life and community in Bozeman in the last decade: Changing, damaging or congesting our beautiful and human residential districts - would be the worst idea yet.

    This is also not an answer to housing that is actually affordable to service workers and young families. The city has not shown that it is capable of addressing that problem. Much less actively limiting growth because our quality of water will soon be in danger.

    Wake up. If you want to build a "tax value" urban center somewhere, don't ruin... Continue reading

  • Share confusing on Facebook Share confusing on Twitter Share confusing on Linkedin Email confusing link

    confusing

    by brian gallik, about 1 year ago

    Good Afternoon

    I work in the area of land use, along with planners and engineers. You website is confusing and not user friendly.

  • Share all new construction on Facebook Share all new construction on Twitter Share all new construction on Linkedin Email all new construction link

    all new construction

    by Valerie , about 1 year ago
    There is so much new building going on.Why not require builders to post signs on the projects?
  • Share Sustainability: Water and Open Space on Facebook Share Sustainability: Water and Open Space on Twitter Share Sustainability: Water and Open Space on Linkedin Email Sustainability: Water and Open Space link

    Sustainability: Water and Open Space

    by dcsalmo, almost 2 years ago

    Allowing cash in lieu of water and cash in lieu of open space/parkland is not sustainable in the face of climate change. Hence, these allowances should be removed from the UDC, and each new development project, regardless of zoning, should be required to provide a combination of onsite water and onsite open space sufficient to completely offset the development's carbon footprint.

  • Share Sustainability Measures on Facebook Share Sustainability Measures on Twitter Share Sustainability Measures on Linkedin Email Sustainability Measures link

    Sustainability Measures

    by JamieRD, almost 2 years ago

    On the topic of sustainability, I’d like to see water resources addressed in the UDC codes, given we are rapidly nearing a water crisis in Bozeman. I’d like to see requirements added to the UDC for water catchment systems, grey water use, and landscaping with drought tolerant plants, rain gardens, permeable surfaces, etc. The city has a great incentive program for homeowners, but we need to implement strict water wise requirements from the start with building codes.

    In addition to electric vehicle charging station requirements in new buildings, I would also like to see requirements for rooftop solar built into... Continue reading

  • Share Comm. Dev. Dept unaware of Interpol leaflets on Facebook Share Comm. Dev. Dept unaware of Interpol leaflets on Twitter Share Comm. Dev. Dept unaware of Interpol leaflets on Linkedin Email Comm. Dev. Dept unaware of Interpol leaflets link

    Comm. Dev. Dept unaware of Interpol leaflets

    by MMK, almost 2 years ago

    Hi team-

    I just wanted you to know that when I dropped off my filled out Interpol booklets at the Community Development Department today, the reception staff and department assistant were flummoxed. They had not seen or heard of the booklets or the Interpol project, were suspicious of me and the booklets, and seemed reluctant to take them from me. It was an unwelcome reception. If I had been a shy person I might have walked away, but instead, I persisted. Apparently, the mailing address on the booklets should have included an attention to the UDC update staff.

    I think... Continue reading

  • Share Zoning Districts and Building transition comments on Facebook Share Zoning Districts and Building transition comments on Twitter Share Zoning Districts and Building transition comments on Linkedin Email Zoning Districts and Building transition comments link

    Zoning Districts and Building transition comments

    by MMK, almost 2 years ago

    Hi -I just finished reviewing the video recording of the city commission's second UDC work session on building transitions and zoning consolidation and would like to add the following comments:

    -There are some areas that are not conducive to the highest residential use allowable (under the Future Land Use Map -FLUM) such as land near restricted roads and wildlife corridors like along Bridger Canyon, for example.

    - Because of the this, I believe there is a disconnect between the FLUM and what's actually happening on the ground. For example, in Urban Neighborhoods all residential zoning from RS to R5 is... Continue reading

  • Share Housing for aging and for mobility-challenged citizens also needed on Facebook Share Housing for aging and for mobility-challenged citizens also needed on Twitter Share Housing for aging and for mobility-challenged citizens also needed on Linkedin Email Housing for aging and for mobility-challenged citizens also needed link

    Housing for aging and for mobility-challenged citizens also needed

    by VC Wald, almost 2 years ago

    I'm hopeful those involved in development policy will finally recognize that Bozeman badly needs not only "affordable" housing (which of course it does) but hundreds more one-story units of all sizes, types, and cost levels - condos, apartments, single-family units - that are, or can easily be converted to, mobility- and handicap-friendly design for our growing aging population. Removal of barriers such as stairs and shower-pan thresholds, elevators for multi-story buildings, and HOAs that provide community services such as snow removal on the properties and surrounding public streets, allow many more people to age in place successfully and HAPPILY.

Page last updated: 07 Oct 2024, 08:54 AM