City of Bozeman Releases Updated Unified Development Code Draft

BOZEMAN — The City of Bozeman has released an updated draft of its Unified Development Code (UDC) and Zoning Map for public review. The new draft text and map incorporate City Commission direction to staff from five work sessions in June, July and August, following six months of public engagement. These regulations are also an important step in complying with the Montana Land Use Planning Act by the May 2026 deadline.

The City is hosting two Information Sessions to review the draft on Oct. 1 from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom with online registration at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W9BbsTmlRK69lknXCrhTXg, and Oct. 1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bozeman Public Safety Center’s Community Room. The sessions will begin with a presentation before moving to Q&A.

“The updated UDC reflects three years of diligent work by City staff and thoughtful input from the community, advisory boards, and City Commission,” said Erin George, Community Development Director at the City of Bozeman. “We are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share feedback and stay engaged throughout this process; your input has resulted in meaningful changes to the code.”

The UDC is the part of the city code that outlines rules and regulations for development within the city. The City launched this project in the summer of 2022 to align with state law and the 2020 Bozeman Community Plan, as well as several other adopted plans that make up the city’s guiding policies and goals around growth, sustainability, land use, and housing.

The effort to update the UDC has generated significant public interest and meaningful dialogue. The effort was paused in October 2023 to allow additional time for public engagement. Since restarting work on the update in September 2024, City Commissioners and staff have spent the last year meeting with community groups, neighborhoods, and advisory boards, hosting public forums, listening, and using surveys to gather input to help shape the draft code.

City Commission discussed primary topics of public concern in five work sessions this summer, providing direction for staff to include in the draft in each of those sessions.

"The Bozeman City Commission really appreciates the community's active involvement in the UDC update process. From survey responses to written and in-person comments, we've received over 2,000 replies and suggestions from our fellow citizens,” says Bozeman Mayor Terry Cunningham. “We've been listening. We've heard you. We believe the proposed draft reflects a balanced approach to the input we've received. Naturally, there have been varying viewpoints on certain issues, and the commission's job is to craft a UDC that is best for the city as a whole and positions us for a prosperous future."

Public engagement will now continue through formal consideration of the updated draft. Following the two information sessions, the Community Development Board will hold public hearings on the draft on Nov. 3 and Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. to receive comments and consider the proposal. The City Commission is scheduled to continue public hearings with a goal of considering adoption of the draft on December 2.

For more information on the UDC Update and to view the new draft code documents, please visit engage.bozeman.net/udc.