HomeMy WebLinkAboutBozemanCommunityPlan_CityCommissionBOZEMANMT
COMMUNITY PLAN
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BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN i
BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION
_________________________
Mayor Terry Cunningham
Deputy Mayor Joey Morrison
Commissioner Jennifer Madgic
Commissioner Douglas Fischer
Commissioner Emma Bode
BOZEMAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Henry (Hap) Happel, President
Mark Egge
Jennifer Madgic, Commission Member
Ben Lloyd
Chris Egnatz
Jason Delmue
SIGNATURE PAGE
This certifies that the Bozeman Community Plan has been duly adopted by the Bozeman City
Commission by City of Bozeman Resolution No. _____, dated _____________, 2025.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CITY OF BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSIONMAYOR TERRY CUNNINGHAMDEPUTY MAYOR JOEY MORRISON
COMMISSIONER JENNIFER MADGIC
COMMISSIONER DOUGLAS FISCHER
COMMISSIONER EMMA BODE
CITY OF BOZEMAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARDHENRY (HAP) HAPPEL, CHAIRMARK EGGE
JENNIFER MADGIC, COMMISSION MEMBER
BEN LLOYD
CHRIS EGNATZJASON DELMUE
CITY OF BOZEMAN STAFFERIN GEORGE, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
REBECCA HARBAGE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CHRIS SAUNDERS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
TOM ROGERS, SENIOR PLANNERSARAH ROSENBERG, ASSOCIATE PLANNERCITY OF BOZEMAN GIS DIVISION
CONSULTANT TEAMECONOMIC PLANNING SYSTEMS
HDR
Special thanks to the community members who participated in the process and contributed to the development
of the Community Plan.
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
01 | BASICS 3
ORGANIZATION 3PLANNING AREA 6PLANNING TIME HORIZON 8
To GROW OR NOT TO GROW? IF SO, HOW? 8
PUBLIC OUTREACH 16
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS 18BASIC PLANNING PRECEPTS 19
02 | THEMES 23THEME 1 | A RESILIENT CITY 24
THEME 2 | A CITY OF UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS 27
THEME 3 | A CITY BOLSTERED BY DOWNTOWN AND COMPLEMENTARY DISTRICTS 31
THEME 4 | A CITY INFLUENCED BY OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, PARKS, AND OPEN LANDS 35THEME 5 | A CITY THAT PRIORITIZES ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY CHOICES 39THEME 6 | A CITY POWERED BY ITS CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY 43
THEME 7 | A CITY ENGAGED IN REGIONAL COORDINATION 46
03 | FUTURE LAND USE 50
IMPORTANCE 50
FUTURE LAND USE MAP - LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS 52
CORRELATION WITH ZONING 58THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP 59
04 | IMPLEMENTATION 62IMPORTANCE 62
SHORT-TERM ACTION LIST 63
MONITORING AND UPDATES 63
05 | AMENDMENTS + REVIEW 65
PLAN AMENDMENTS 65
REVIEW OF AMENDMENTS AND AMENDMENT CRITERIA 66ZONING AMENDMENT REVIEW 66SUBDIVISION REVIEW 72
ZONING REVIEW 73
06 | APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: ENGAGEMENT AND PROCESS TO CREATE THE PLAN
APPENDIX B: INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORTING DATAAPPENDIX C: HISTORY AND PHYSICAL SETTINGAPPENDIX D: GLOSSARY
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BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 1
INTRODUCTION
The City of Bozeman is set in an expansive valley, surrounded by mountain
ranges, and intersected by blue ribbon fishing waterways. Over the last 150
years, Bozeman has grown from a small town supported by agriculture to a
maturing city. Desirable attributes such as immediate access to year-round
recreation, high-quality schools, a growing high-tech culture, advanced
education, rapidly expanding economy, and thoughtful and forward-
thinking city policies have all contributed to strong population growth, high
employment and rapid development.
Bozeman had a 2024 estimated population of 57,894 people, which is up
from 22,660 people in the year 1990 (refer to Appendices for additional
information on population). It is the fourth largest city in Montana.
Bozeman is home to Montana State University, the largest university in
the State with a total enrollment of 17,144 students in 2024. Montana State
University is one of only 187 universities in the nation to be designated a very
high research activity school. Bozeman is a growing regional healthcare hub,
serves as the major trading center for much of southwestern Montana, has
a sophisticated and growing high-tech industry, and is a renowned summer
and winter recreational center that attracts many hundreds of thousands of
visitors annually.
Bozeman's high rate of growth and changing economics, the rapid
development in surrounding Gallatin County, and state law mandating that
community plans be kept up to date, all make it necessary for Bozeman to
update its community plan. Without guided growth and development, the
community’s identity and overall quality of life could be diminished by lack
of housing and jobs, congestion, reduced services, and pollution. The City
has had seven community plans dating back to 1958, the most recent being
its 2020 plan. Each plan builds upon the others, reflecting the community’s
characteristics, vision and needs over time. This plan is a technical update of
the 2020 plan.
This community plan (the Plan) is a policy document guiding further growth
and community development in Bozeman. It sets forth Bozeman's policy for
land-use and development. It reflects the community’s shared values and
priorities. The Plan is the City’s long-range growth land use plan that meets
the statutory requirements of Title 76 Chapter 25, the Montana Land Use
Planning Act, Montana Code Annotated.
This Plan helps guide residents, City staff, and elected officials’ decisions.
It brings land use policy into larger community discussions on many issues
addressed by the City. Its measure of success is continuation of the Bozeman
tradition— a flourishing, safe, healthy, and a vibrant place to live, work, and
raise a family.
The City, as an institution, takes many actions to implement the Plan as well
as track the progress of the Plan’s implementation through established
indicators. These indicators will help determine the objectives that are
working, where they can be improved, and the objectives that need to
be reevaluated. The residents and businesses in the City, through their
aspirations and hard work, will carry out the Plan
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01
01 | BASICS
ORGANIZATION
The Plan is organized into five main sections: Basics, Themes, Land Use Map, Implementation, and
Amendments + Review. Appendices provide additional details.
01 | Basics outlines the organization of the plan, describes the Planning Area and the Planning Period,
provides an overview of the public outreach process, summarizes existing conditions, and describes
the relationship of the Plan to other City planning documents. Finally, this section describes the basic
planning principles employed in developing the Plan. Recommendations are discussed within the
context of the issues most important to Bozeman residents.
02 | Themes set forth community desired outcomes and the Plan goals and objectives to achieve these
outcomes. The Themes include framework maps that show key opportunity areas related to each
Theme.
03 | Future Land Use sets forth and discusses Bozeman’s Future Land Use Map.
04 | Implementation details a monitoring program that will be used to track progress toward meeting the
community’s vision.
05 | Amendments + Review contains information concerning amendment of the Plan, and the principles
involved in the City’s subdivision and zoning review processes.
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APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: ENGAGEMENT AND PROCESS TO CREATE THE PLAN
Appendix A details the outreach and engagement process that helped shape the Community Plan. The four-phase process used in-person and digital approaches to engagement to capture the community’s voice and the technical update process. The technical update process is also described.
APPENDIX B: INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORTING DATA
Appendix B references the City’s issue plans, with descriptions of, and links to each plan document. included are future and existing plans for transportation, storm water, wastewater, parks and open lands, public safety, economic development, housing, neighborhood plans, and other topics. Other supporting data is also referenced.
APPENDIX C: HISTORY AND PHYSICAL SETTING
Appendix C details the history of the City of Bozeman, and its physical setting.
APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY
Defines specific terms used in the Plan.
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PLANNING AREA
Bozeman’s Planning Area is generally the area of the City’s future
municipal water and sewer service boundary. It includes the City of
Bozeman as well as a half-mile to two-mile area around the City in
the Gallatin County jurisdictional area. The Planning Area is nearly
70.8 square miles and has not changed since the 2020 plan. The
City’s footprint as of December 31, 2024, is 22.03 square miles.
Much of the area within the planning area and outside of the City has
already been developed at rural intensities. This Plan encourages
development within the municipal boundaries where City services
are available or can be made available. Thoughtful development in
the Planning Area is guided by the Plan’s goals and policies.
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City of Bozeman Current City Limits (in grey shade) and Growth Policy Boundary (in blue)
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PLANNING TIME HORIZON
The time horizon for this Plan is 20 years—until 2045. This time horizon is referred to in the Plan as
the “Planning Period.” As the time horizon increases so does uncertainty. The future land use map and
other elements (i.e. plans for water, sewer, transportation, and parks) look into the future to envision
development that is not predicted to occur over any specific time frame.
TO GROW OR NOT TO GROW? IF SO, HOW?
Bozeman has seen nearly continuous growth since its founding. The population of the City has expanded
306% since 1970. Many factors, including but not limited to: nearby extensive outdoor recreation
opportunities, Montana State University, people who left the area for careers returning, an international
airport providing ready access, changing technology enabling remote work, and people becoming
familiar with the area during visits to Yellowstone National Park influence the decisions of individuals and
businesses to move to Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley. Developing factors that appear to be increasing
interest in the local area include climate change, increasing economic opportunities in the local area with
technology and other sector growth, and the COVID-19 pandemic 2020-2023.
The increasing number of people and associated impacts cause changes in the community. Those
changes stimulate an examination of whether the City should continue to grow or if it should try to “put
on the brakes” by attempting to constrain growth in some manner.
Such a question reflects the deep concerns of people in many areas and issues.
Diverse changes have caused increases in number of homes and expanding areas of development.
Extensive development outside of the City’s jurisdiction further raises concerns. As household sizes have
decreased over time additional houses are required to serve the same population. The number of homes
in Bozeman required to house 10,000 people increased 48.4% between 1970 and 2020. That increased
number of homes requires more streets, water and sewer pipes, and similar expanded municipal and
private facilities. The cost of services per person correspondingly increases. Should this household size
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trend reverse, the City could see large population increases without construction of additional homes.
Such shifts in demographics are difficult to predict.
Bozeman has expanded in population and land area from in- migration, change in the demographic
makeup of the community, new births, and annexation of new areas to serve new or existing residents.
Community change is dynamic and affected by many forces. It is also inevitable. Even if population
stayed the same, there are forces that cause outward and inward changes in a community.
CONTEXT OF THE GROWTH QUESTION
Consideration of Bozeman’s growth cannot be separated from the larger context of the Gallatin Valley.
Bozeman has been 45-50% of the county population over time. Belgrade and Four Corners have seen
rapid growth over the past 10-15 years. When people discuss growth in Bozeman, they are often thinking
of more than just the legal boundaries of the City. Rapid growth has also been happening in other valley
municipalities and the unincorporated areas of the County.
The Planning Area for the BCP is approximately 70 square miles. Most of that area lies outside of the
existing municipal limits.
However, it is not free from development pressure or change. As shown on the map on the next page,
much of the land within the Planning Area and outside the City has already been subdivided and
developed to some degree, mostly as suburban and rural housing.
Analysis in 2019, showed that about 92% of all parcels in the nearly 49 square miles outside of the City
Limits were smaller than 20 acres, and they occupied approximately 29 percent of these 49 square
miles. Twenty acres is the minimum area generally considered eligible to be classified as agricultural
property. This parcel pattern reflects many decades of land use decisions by private property owners as
well as various governmental agencies.
The Planning Area outside of the City’s legal limits remains under the final authority of Gallatin County.
The County and City do not have a shared planning board or regulations at this time. As described in
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Chapter 2, Theme 7 the City works with Gallatin County on land use planning issues. However, should a
landowner outside of the City ask to change zoning or subdivide land the County Commission has the
final decision. Gallatin County adopted an updated growth policy, Envision Gallatin, in 2021 and a future
land use map and housing strategy in November 2024. The City’s regulations only apply within its legal
limits. Areas that people often describe as being in Bozeman such as the Woodland Park and Middle
Creek developments along Huffine Lane are outside of the City limits and were approved by the County.
DOES THE CITY HAVE TO GROW?
The Montana Land Use Planning Act requires the City to plan for growth, to identify factors that may
constrain growth, and identify how limiting factors may be overcome. If the City did not do so, the
undeveloped areas in town would eventually fill in with development. The City could choose to not
annex new property which would result in increased pressure to place additional homes in existing
areas. The City could stop acquiring water rights, stop expanding treatment capacity for water or sewer,
or could strictly limit development opportunities through regulations on development intensity or rate. All
of these would result in fewer homes and businesses than would otherwise be present but are contrary
to the land use planning direction required by law. There is additional capacity presently in the City’s
systems due to planned “working room” to account for the fact that expansion of capacity often comes in
large increments and therefore some excess capacity is needed at any given time to meet needs while
the next increment of expansion is designed and constructed. Such capacity could be used up and not
replaced.
A key sub-question and consequence in this subject is whether lack of capacity in municipal land area
or systems would cause people to stop seeking to come to the Gallatin Valley. The residents of the
City of Bozeman have for many decades been between 45-50% of the total county population. Since
half or more of the county population has chosen to locate outside of the Bozeman limits it is highly
likely that growth would continue but would locate outside the City within the unincorporated areas
or other municipalities. The factors that draw people to the area would be unlikely to be changed by a
City decision to restrict development. Therefore, the character of the valley, including areas adjacent to
Bozeman, would continue to change but without material influence from the City.
Some US cities and towns have attempted to artificially constrain growth by limiting annual growth
percentages, limiting building permits, establishing greenbelt buffers, significantly restricting building
height, etc. Generally speaking, such artificial growth limits tend to redistribute future growth outside city
boundaries, drive up housing prices and rental costs, increase commuting times, and limit employment
opportunities within city boundaries.
As the population and development of the Gallatin Valley has occurred the degree of interdependence
has increased. The Bozeman economy relies substantially on persons living outside of the city to work at
jobs located in the city. Data prepared for this plan in 2025 shows a total of 45,538 jobs in the City. The
2022 data from On The Map by the US Census shows that 16,216 jobs were serviced by City residents,
12,456 residents left the city for work, and the number of non-City residents coming into the City for work
was 23,348.
A key outcome of this situation is that tens of thousands of people are commuting every day into the City
and consuming street capacity, police and fire services, and other municipal services. However, revenue
generated by their homes does not come to the City to offset those demands for service.
On a national level, the supply of housing is not keeping up with demand for housing. On a local level,
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 11
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Bozeman Community Plan 2020 Context Map
0 2 41Miles
Revised: 10/30/20 City of Bozeman Strategic Services Department
´City Limits
Growth Policy Boundary
Conservation Easements
Government & Education Agencies
Parcels Up to Twenty Acres
City of Bozeman Context Map dsiplaying development inside Growth Policy Boundary
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this issue was examined by the 2019 Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) for the City. A similar effort was
conducted by Gallatin County for their growth policy update, Envision Gallatin. The HNA identified a
deficiency of available housing as a strong contributor to housing price escalation in the area. Housing
prices, both nationally and locally, have increased substantially faster than incomes. Housing scarcity
is a substantial concern and impacts the ability of businesses to hire workers. As local unemployment
has been low for many years, attraction of new employees is dependent on the availability of additional
housing in the area.
As discussed above, the majority of the Planning Area is outside of the City limits. The City of Bozeman
and Gallatin County have worked together to encourage annexation and development within the
City limits. Development within the City is more land efficient than rural or suburban development in
unannexed areas. Urban intensity development, whether more intensive apartment style development or
more typical medium density residential, is much more land efficient than rural/suburban development.
Comparing suburban development with an average density of one home per 1.25 acres and rural at
one home per 5.5 acres to the more intensive apartment style development of a project downtown; the
suburban development consumes 135 times the amount of land and the rural consumes 594 times the
amount of land per home. Development within the City also provides for a wide range of housing types
to meet a wide range of housing needs. Development within the City lessens likelihood of conversion of
agricultural and open spaces to other uses but does convert uses on some land with annexation.
Municipal development enables use of highly effective centralized water and sewer systems. Such
centralized systems are more protective of water quality both at the surface and underground. Areas
such as the Helena Valley in Lewis and Clark County are experiencing problems with ground water
contamination resulting from significant use of on-site water and sewer systems.
Gallatin County has been a partner in encouraging potential development to annex and develop within
the City. The County growth policy and the Triangle Community Plan support such action. However, if the
City is unable or unwilling to annex and provide services the County will not prohibit development on
that parcel. As shown on the context map, there has been considerable rural and suburban development
within the Planning Area.
IF WE GROW, HOW?
In many planning efforts and discussions
over the decades, the Community
Development Board and City Commission
have considered the various elements of
the question of to grow or not grow and
the consequences of either approach.
After considering this question, they have
concluded that having growth within the
physical boundaries of Bozeman results
in better outcomes than not. Therefore,
the BCP approaches growth as something
that overall is positive but recognizes that
it does not come without drawbacks and
that the community will change over time.
The City has adopted land development
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 13
regulations and policies to reasonably mitigate negative impacts. These have been adopted to address
the question of “If so, how.” Regulations can do many things to ensure adequate physical facilities and a
visually appealing and functional development of sites. They support expansion of employment and tax
base for the community. They ensure provision of new parks and walking trails, keep the water flowing if
there is a home fire to be put out, and provide a framework within which people may pursue dreams of
their own homes and businesses.
For all they can accomplish, there are things they cannot do. They cannot make there be fewer people
on a favorite walking trail, make certain you see people you know as you walk down the street, or control
things that happen outside of the City limits. They don’t set school service boundaries; or change the
floodplain or water quality or wetland standards established by federal and state agencies. They can’t
assure that buying a house will work out well for you. They can’t change the flight path of aircraft headed
to the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
They cannot assure you of a neighbor you want to have. They don’t change any state or federal policy.
They do not prevent change or guarantee that change will happen in the way any individual prefers.
MITIGATING IMPACTS
For new people and businesses to come and establish in the community the City must be able to provide
land area, utility services, and other functions. It is the long-standing policy of the City to balance the
interests of new and existing residents. Therefore, the City has established standards and procedures to
strive to ensure that new development proportionately contributes to the services and facilities needed
to support new development. The following
examples identify significant policies, but it is not
an exhaustive list.
• Annexation: Annexation is almost entirely
initiated by the landowner. The City has
limited ability to start an annexation process.
Annexation is often motivated by a desire to
develop property or to address a failed on-
site septic system. At the time of annexation,
landowners commit to provide or do provide
easements for major roadways, and to follow
the City’s land development standards
requiring the landowner to provide needed
infrastructure for development of the land.
• Water Rights: All water in the state not
reserved to the Federal Government or
Tribal Government is owned by the State
of Montana. No one can use water without
the State’s permission. Such permission is
called a water right. When new development
occurs, the City requires that new
development to provide either water rights
to the City or to pay an equal amount of
money so the City can acquire water rights
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adequate to serve the new development.
Existing water users are not required to pay
for water rights for new development. The
City proactively pursues additional water
supply.
• Impact Fees: Impact fees are fee for
service costs charged to new development
to construct fire, water, sewer, and
transportation facilities to support new
development. There are strict rules to
ensure that the impact fees don’t fix
existing problems. Impact fees enable the
City to more closely keep up with water
and sewer treatment capacity and other
infrastructure needed for new development
to be functional and safe.
• Utility and Service Planning: The City conducts long range planning for water, sewer, transportation,
parks, and other services. This planning work examines the needs for existing users and future users.
This enables the City to construct facilities before big bottlenecks occur. Since a water line can have
a service life of at least 70 years, sizing them correctly is a significant concern to avoid future service
limits and failures. Knowing what services are needed enables the City to work effectively and cost
efficiently to serve existing and future users. Recent expansion and upgrades at the City’s water
and sewer treatment facilities were required both for maintaining legal compliance with treatment
standards for existing users and to enable new users.
• Regulations: The City adopts standards for development to correlate timing of new development
with the services needed to serve it. This protects the public health and safety. The regulations
also provide predictability in decision making to both existing and new members of the community.
Predictability is a very important element in the complex and difficult public and private decisions
relating to growth.
• Geographic Information Systems: The city maintains large amounts of information and using various
GIS tools shares that information with the public to enable early identification of potential issues,
coordinate development activities, inform the public, and enable robust asset management.
• Capital Improvements Plan. The City annually updates a five-year plan for capital expenditures.
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 15
This lines out locations and funding for water
main or sewer extensions, street expansion, park
development, and other capital work. The CIP
covers all areas of city operations and is supported
by issue plans developed for most functions.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Developing Bozeman’s Community Plan in 2020
involved a lengthy public outreach period. The
Community Development Board and City Commission
provided guidance throughout the process.
Development of the Plan included four distinct phases.
The community was provided many opportunities
throughout the process to voice their opinion including
large-scale community events, small group listening
sessions, stakeholder interviews, and a series of
progressive, easy-to-use online surveys.
Events were advertised through print and social
media, as well as on the City’s website and calendar.
Additionally, postcards and flyers were handed out
and posted throughout the community to encourage
high levels of participation and to increase overall
awareness. Appendix A details the City and its
residents’ process to develop and update this Plan.
For the Love of Bozeman
Foundation
Project Branding
One-on-One interviews
Listening Sessions
Community Social +
Questionnaire
Bozeman Talks
Analysis + Vision
Existing Plans Review
Existing Conditions Analysis
Community values
identification
Community Workshop
+ Questionnaire
Bozeman Thinks Big
Opportunities + Choices
Opportunities identification
Land Use Options
Development + Refinement
Community Events
+ Open House
Bozeman The Plan
Plan Development + Approval
Draft Plan Development
Community Open Houses + Questionnaire
Draft Plan Review
Final Plan Development
Formal Adoption Hearings
Community Plan Process and Outreach, 2018 - 2020
16 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
EXISTING CONDITIONS
POPULATION
Bozeman’s estimated 2024 population (57,894) was more than two and a half times the City’s population
in 1990 (22,660). The median age of Bozeman residents is 30.07 years old, which can partially be
attributed to the enrollment of over 17,144 students at Montana State University. The City’s percentage of
residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher is greater than the national average. The City is projected to
grow by 20,406 to 29,506 people through the year 2045. See appendices for more detail.
Net migration accounted for 75 percent of Gallatin County’s population change between 2010 and 2017
and continues to support a large fraction of population growth. A high rate of net migration indicates that
an area is a desirable place to live and is a sign of a thriving economy.
EMPLOYMENT
Bozeman’s largest employer is Montana State University (MSU), with over 4,495 full and part-time
employees. Gallatin County has experienced strong employment growth over the past decade and is
expected to add up to 44,500 additional jobs by 2045. Bozeman is expected to add 26,100 jobs by
2045. See appendix for more detail.
INCOME
The median household income in Bozeman is $74,113; however, the Bozeman median household income
is $104,824 for homeowners and $56,715 for renters. This disparity may reflect, to some extent, the
impact of MSU students on Bozeman statistical averages.
HOUSING
Figures in this section are from a variety of sources. About 48% of households in the City own their
homes, up from 43.5% in 2010. The median sale price of homes, including single-detached homes,
townhomes, and condominiums, was $784,500 in 2024, an increase of 170 percent since 2019.
According to the 2023 American Community Survey there are 24,846 total households in Bozeman.
Forty-eight percent of renters in Bozeman are cost-burdened meaning they pay more than 30% of
income for housing.
The median year of construction for occupied housing units in the county is 2001, up from 1997 in 2022.
Over half the homes county-wide are less than 20 years old. The City has permitted an average of 1,161
homes per year between 2018 and 2023. Of those homes, 66.9% of homes were multi-unit (3+), 16.9%
were single-detached, 14.4% were townhomes and duplexes, and 1.9% percent were accessory dwelling
units (ADUs). Bozeman has 78.5% of all multihousehold dwellings in the county. There is an estimated
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 17
demand for 10,700-15,100 new residences in Bozeman by the year 2045 to house projected population
increase.
TRANSPORTATIONBozeman residents have access to a range of transportation options, including an extensive sidewalk
and trail system, the six citywide routes offered by Streamline Bus service, Skyline Bus service to Big Sky,
Galavan transportation service for seniors and people with disabilities, taxi service and rideshare, and the bike network, which consists of 71.2 miles of on-street and 73.28 miles of off-street facilities.
Sixty-three percent of Bozeman commuters drive alone, 12.8% walk or ride a bike, 15% work from home,
and less than one percent use public transit .in 2023. The average commute time, which has been increasing, is approximately 15 minutes, compared to the state average of 19 minutes and the national average of 26 minutes.
GROWTH
Bozeman’s land area and its population is growing. Since November 2020, Bozeman has annexed, at
landowners’ request, 680 acres of land, about 1.06 square miles or 5%. Additional annexations are in
review. Fifteen of those annexations were of wholly surrounded county properties.
The projected land demand for residential purpose over the Planning Period, based on estimated
population growth, ranges from 2,275 to 2,935 acres, depending largely on levels of density in future
residential developments and the amount of redevelopment in existing areas. Faster rates of population
growth or restrictions on redevelopment will require additional land area.
See Appendix B for more on Bozeman's existing conditions and projections.
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS
The Bozeman Strategic Plan is a general policy statement for broad areas of City responsibilities. It
was first adopted by the City Commission on March 5, 2018, after a 24-month process of community
discussion and evaluation. The Strategic Plan provides direction for this Plan primarily through its Vision
Statement #4 entitled A Well-Planned City. This Vision Statement focuses on five goals listed in the table
below. The Strategic Plan also provides direction on related issues through its Vision Statements entitled
A Sustainable Environment, An Innovative Economy, and A High Performance Organization. The seven
Themes in this Plan further the goals of the Strategic Plan.
Table 1. Strategic Plan Alignment
A Resilient CityA City of NeighborhoodsA City Bolstered by Downtown and Complementary DistrictsA City influenced by our Natural Environment, Parks, and Open LandsA City that Prioritizes Accessibility and MobilityA City Powered by its Creative, innovative, and Entrepreneurial EconomyA City Engaged in Regional CoordinationCovered by Other PlansFuture Land Use MapStrategic Plan vision Statement | A Well-Planned City
1 informed Conversation on Growth ••••••
2 High Quality Urban Approach •••••••••
3 Strategic infrastructure Choices •••••••••
4 vibrant Downtown, Districts & Centers •••••••
5 Housing and Transportation Choices •••••••
18 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
The Themes reflect community priorities in prior plans, demonstrating a level of consistency in
community values over time. This land use plan is also influenced by, and will influence, a number of
other local plans, guidelines, policies, and manuals as listed below. These are intended to be used
together to achieve a set of community goals while minimizing redundancies. See Appendix B for
information on individual plans and other data. Given the City’s extensive operations, several plans are
reviewed and updated each year. Please consult the most recent version of each plan. Information on
individual issue plans and other data are available in Appendix B. Please consult the most recent version
of each plan.
BASIC PLANNING PRECEPTS
PRINCIPLES APPLIED IN THIS PLAN
Drawing on best land use practices, community input, Bozeman’s land use planning experience, and
the ideas discussed in the Themes, the City used the following principles to prepare the policies, goals,
objectives, land use designations, and future land use map in this Plan:
• The health and well-being of the public is an essential focus and is influenced in turn by urban design
and land development.
• Urban design should integrate residential and commercial land use activities, multi modal
transportation, and open spaces.
• Variety in housing and employment opportunities are essential.
• Land use designations must respond to a broad range of factors, including infrastructure, natural, and
economic constraints, other community priorities, and expectations of all affected parties concerning
private development.
• Transportation infrastructure is vital in supporting desired land use patterns. Therefore, the two
must be coordinated. Future infrastructure should favor interconnected multi modal transportation
networks (i.e. infrastructure for bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes of transport in addition to
automobiles).
• Diverse uses of land should occur relatively close to one another.
EXISTING PLANSBozeman Creek Enhancement Plan – 2012
Bozeman Creek Neighborhood Plan – 2005
Bozeman Health Subarea Plan -
2024
Climate Action Plan – 2020
Community Housing Action Plan - 2020
Community Transportation Safety Plan – 2013
Downtown Improvement Plan – 2019
Downtown Strategic Parking Management Plan – 2016
Drought Management Plan – 2022
Economic Development Strategy Update – 2023
Fire and EMS Master Plan – 2017
Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan – 2020
Housing Needs Assessment – 2019
Integrated Water Resources Implementation Plan – 2013
Midtown Action Plan – 2017
Neighborhood Conservation
Overlay District (NCOD) Policy
Report - 2019
Parks, Trails, and Active Transportation Plan - 2023
Stormwater Facilities Plan – 2025
Transportation Master Plan – 2017:
Triangle Community Plan – 2020
Urban Forestry Management Plan – 2016
Wastewater Collection Facilities Plan Update – 2025
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 19
• The City intends to create a healthy, safe, resilient, and sustainable community by incorporating
a holistic approach to the design, construction, and operation of buildings, neighborhoods, and
the City as a whole. Developments should contribute to these goals and be integrated into their
neighborhood and the larger community.
• The needs of new and existing development coexist and they should remain in balance; neither
should overwhelm the other.
• Infill development and redevelopment should be prioritized, but incremental compact outward
growth is a necessary part of the City’s growth.
• Gathering places and open spaces, including parks and trails, should be in convenient locations to
those they serve. Quality and function is superior to quantity alone.
Subdivision/ Site Plan
Apply development standards to a
specific piece of property prior to
physical construction
Zoning Map Amendment
Selection of a zoning district and associated
development standards on one or more
distinct properties
Growth Policy
Broad policy and coarse geographic
detail dealing with multiple zoning
districts
The growth policy forms the foundation of the land development process.
20 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
CITY RESPONSIBILITIES
The City’s primary function is to provide a safe, healthy, and high-quality environment that supports
the physical, social, and economic welfare of its residents. For the Bozeman community to continue to
prosper, all residents need equitable access to opportunities to advance their well-being regardless
of their circumstances. The way a community is shaped through development patterns, infrastructure,
transportation systems, housing options, economic opportunities, and green spaces can contribute to
the well-being of residents or can make it harder for people to live healthy and successful lives.
COMMUNITY DESIRES
People who have participated in this Plan have consistently stated a desire for safe and accessible
streets that support and encourage a variety of transportation preferences including walking, bicycling,
transit, and driving. They want to live in walkable neighborhoods where they have easy access to
everyday services, employment opportunities, healthy and affordable food, recreation, and social
gathering places. Housing affordability is a concern; residents of all ages, abilities, and income levels
require a diversity of housing types to meet their specific needs. Open space, parks, trails, and the
preservation of local agricultural lands and view sheds were also priorities. A description of public
participation is presented in Appendix A.
CITY’S ROLE
Development occurs most efficiently, and with best results, when the public and private sectors work
together to achieve mutually compatible goals. It is worth emphasizing that the vast majority of the future
built environment will be designed, paid for, and constructed by the private sector. The City provides
foundational work by providing infrastructure, public services, and implementing design standards to
shape the fabric of the community.
GROWTH
Bozeman’s employment, population, and built environment have been growing rapidly. This has created
community benefits including a strong local economy, increased diversity, and innovation. It has also led
to growing pains—higher housing costs and increased traffic to name two. The City’s response to this is
to pursue policies that mitigate these growing pains. These policies are described throughout this Plan.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Housing affordability is a critical issue for the community and has been an ongoing concern since it was
identified as an issue in the 1972 community master plan. Housing instability and homelessness are
public health issues and are exacerbated by the rapid rise in housing prices.
The positive attributes that make Bozeman a desirable place to live contributed to ever-increasing
housing demand. Comparatively low wages have not increased at the same rate as housing costs. Home
price increase exceeding wage increase is a national trend. The sale price of homes has more than fully
recovered from the 2008 recession for all housing types. The median sale price of homes, including
single-households, townhomes and condominiums, has increased significantly over the past five years.
Especially sharp increases were seen in 2020-2022. Recently, there has been a slight decrease.
According to the Bozeman Housing Needs Assessment, an estimated 5,405 to 6,340 housing units
for residents and employees were needed by 2025, or an average of about 770 to 905 units per year.
This figure included housing for employees, units needed to improve the previously tight rental and
ownership markets, provides choice to households, housing for employees filling jobs vacated by
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 21
retirees, workers filling new jobs, plus related non-employee citizen housing needs. This report predated
the surge of in-migration related to COVID. Actual permitted construction has exceeded 9,300 dwellings
as of September 2025. Most of these homes have been apartment style construction. Demand remains
strong for opportunities for housing to purchase and new developments are bringing ownership housing
onto the market.
Bozeman has taken the issue of housing seriously. It developed a housing needs assessment in 2019,
hired a Community Housing Program Manager, and released the Community Housing Action Plan (CHAP)
in October 2019. The CHAP was updated in April 2020. Many action steps followed.
The availability of affordable housing, whether for rent or for purchase, is one of Bozeman’s most serious
problems, as demonstrated by the CHAP and the EPS 2024 Q2 Market Report. Mitigating this shortage is
a top priority of the Bozeman City Commission, the Community Development Board, and Bozeman staff
in conjunction with local and regional authorities. The three top action items in the Community Affordable
Housing Action Plan are:
• Ensuring community housing serves the full range of incomes without losing sight of safety net
programs for extremely low income and homeless families. This includes safety net rentals below
30% AMI (about $26,200 per year), additional resident and employee rentals up to 80% AMI (about
$69,800 per year), and ownership housing up to 150% AMI (about $130,800 per year).
• Producing community housing at a rate that exceeds, or at least matches, job growth so that new
employees can find homes.
• Striving to produce community housing at a rate that matches the spectrum of community housing
needs, while also preserving what we have through a target of no net loss of existing community
housing stock below 80% AMI.
The CHAP identified 19 priority action strategies to be evaluated and, where appropriate, utilized over
the following five years in an effort to accomplish the objectives. Since that time hundreds of price
capped rentals have been constructed. Because housing, including affordability, is the subject of the
detailed CHAP, and other City programs, this Plan does not address housing affordability issues in detail.
For additional, up-to-date detail, see the Economic Vitality Board and the Community Housing Action
Plan.
However, zoning and land use regulations are processes that influence the cost of housing and are
addressed in this Plan. This Plan supports housing regulations that allow for a range of housing types
intermixed with one another in a given neighborhood, denser development, and efficiencies of various
22 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
types that can help reduce housing costs while not jeopardizing public safety and other community
priorities.
More housing, in a variety of type, size, and cost, is needed at prices that residents can afford. This will
provide choices, the ability to move as life circumstances change, allows employers to fill jobs, recruit,
and retain employees, supports businesses, and supports citizen and student growth.
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 23
02
02 | THEMES
Seven Themes describe community-derived desired outcomes. The Themes contain objectives and
actions to guide the City towards its Vision. Application of the Themes evolve as the City grows, and
allow the City to incorporate new objectives as needed. The Themes are:
A RESiLiENT CiTY
A CiTY OF UNiQUE NEiGHBORHOODS
A CiTY BOLSTERED BY DOWNTOWN AND COMPLEMENTARY DiSTRiCTS
A CiTY iNFLUENCED BY OUR NATURAL ENviRONMENT, PARKS, AND OPEN LANDS
A CiTY THAT PRiORiTiZES ACCESSiBiLiTY AND MOBiLiTY
A CiTY POWERED BY iTS CREATivE, iNNOvATivE, AND ENTREPRENEURiAL ECONOMY
A CiTY ENGAGED iN REGiONAL COORDiNATiON.
24 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
THEME 1 | A RESILIENT CITY
Our City desires to be forward thinking, collaborative, and deliberate in planning
and execution of plans and policies to enable our community to successfully ride
the waves of change.
IMPORTANCE
Communities and the world around them are constantly changing. Resilient communities rebound,
positively adapt to, and thrive amidst changing conditions or challenges and maintain quality of life,
healthy growth, durable systems and conservation of resources for present and future generations.
Resiliency addresses both short-term or one-time shocks as well as long-term stressors.
Resiliency is needed to address a wide range of circumstances affecting all elements of the community
and its operations. Stressors include natural disasters, climate change, economic shocks and transitions,
and in 2020, a pandemic. Long term systems and adaptations, not just initial responses, are needed to
maintain a healthy community. Resiliency takes a holistic approach towards protecting and improving a
community. Bozeman is well positioned with diverse subject plans to address many of the likely areas
where stressors occur. The staff and elected officials work to coordinate between plans and actions. The
process of coordination is integrated with the constant process of updating plans, capital improvement
programs, budgets, and ordinances.
INFRASTRUCTURE
WATERSHEDS & NATURAL RESOURCES
COMMUNITY
HEALTH & SOCIAL
ECONOMIC
HOUSING
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 25
During the development of the 2020 Community Plan, the world was
beset by the COVID Pandemic and the subsequent COVID Financial
Crisis.
Southwest Montana fared better with COVID than most communities
on a global scale. Bozeman and Gallatin County experienced
significant in-migration during this period. This placed additional
demand for housing and substantially impacted housing costs. The
economy was also affected with increased remote work, supply
chain restrictions, and uncertainty.
The impacts of COVID and an influx of new citizens to our community
are examples of events that can rapidly impact the community
and require resilience, agility, and outside-the-box thinking, by all
participants, the development community, including the City of
Bozeman Commission and staff at all stages of the development
process.
THEME 1 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal R-1: Continue to strengthen and develop resilience as a
community.
R-1.1 Be reflective: use past experience to inform future
decisions.
R-1.2 Be resourceful: recognize alternative ways to use resources.
R-1.3 Be inclusive: prioritize broad consultation to create a sense of shared ownership in decision making.
R-1.4 Be integrated: bring together a range of distinct systems
and institutions.
R-1.5 Be robust: well-conceived, constructed, and managed systems.
R-1.6 Be redundant: spare capacity purposefully created to accommodate disruption.
R-1.7 Be flexible: willingness and ability to adopt alternative
strategies in response to changing circumstances.
Goal R-2: Pursue community decisions in a manner that
supports resilience.
R-2.1 Co-Benefits: Provide solutions that address problems across multiple sectors, creating maximum benefit.
R-2.2 High Risk and Vulnerability: Ensure that strategies directly address the reduction of risk to human well-being, physical infrastructure, and natural systems.
THEME 1: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Climate Action Plan – 2020
Community Transportation Safety Plan – 2013
Drought Management Plan – 2022
Economic Development Strategy Update – 2023
Fire and EMS Master Plan – 2017
Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan – 2020
Housing Needs Assessment – 2019
Integrated Water Resources Implementation Plan – 2013
Stormwater Facilities Plan – 2025
Transportation Master Plan – 2017:
Urban Forestry Management Plan – 2016
Wastewater Collection Facilities Plan Update – 2025
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
26 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
R-2.3 Economic Benefit-Cost: Make good financial investments that have the potential for economic
benefit to the investor and the broader community both through direct and indirect returns.
R-2.4 Social Equity: Provide solutions that are inclusive with consideration to populations that are often most fragile and vulnerable to sudden impacts.
R-2.5 Technical Soundness: Identify solutions that reflect best practices that have been tested and proven to work in similar local or regional contexts.
R-2.6 Innovation: Advance new approaches and techniques that will encourage continual
improvement and advancement of best practices.
R-2.7 Adaptive Capacity: Include flexible and adaptable measures that consider future unknowns of changing climate, economic, and social conditions.
R-2.8 Harmonize with Existing Activity: Expand, enhance, or leverage work being done to build on existing efforts.
R-2.9 Long-Term and Lasting Impact: Create long-term gains to the community with solutions that are
replicable and sustainable, creating benefit for present and future generations.
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 27
THEME 2 | A CITY OF UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOODS
Our City desires to be diverse, healthy, and inclusive, defined by our vibrant
neighborhoods, quality housing, walkability, excellent schools, numerous parks
and trails, and thriving areas of commerce.
IMPORTANCE
Bozeman is indeed a city of unique neighborhoods. From the traditional neighborhoods north and south
of Bozeman’s downtown, to the developments of more recent times, Bozeman’s neighborhoods are as
diverse as the periods of time in which they were built. This eclectic mix of housing opportunities within
differing geographic parts of town helps define who we are, where we came from, and where we’re
going.
Neighborhoods or communities that offer a mix of housing, needed services, and opportunities within
close proximity of each other are considered “complete communities”. They promote walking or short
commutes to the things in life we value and depend on including jobs, schools, places of worship,
friends, goods and services, open spaces, trails, appropriately scaled urban agriculture such as
community gardens, and more. Neighborhoods help improve community safety and overall community
health.
The City supports policies that maintain and build neighborhoods designed to provide equitable access
to amenities and opportunities for all. Housing type diversity within neighborhoods helps ensure
community benefits are available to households of different size, income, and age. Mixed neighborhoods
can help provide the density of people needed to support nearby commercial activities.
The need for a path to the emergence of small-scale neighborhood commercial development and its
ability to bring pedestrian access to coffee shops, groceries, and other daily experiences, and related
employment opportunities, is a critical part of Bozeman’s municipal maturation.
28 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
Neighborhood
ElementsServices
Parks and R e c r e a tio nJ obsSocial Netw
or
k
s
S e n s e o f Identity
GeographySchoolsServices Homes
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 29
Such a path is dependent on sufficient population density in such
neighborhoods to make neighborhood commercial viable. Typically,
this viability cannot be achieved co-emergently with construction of
neighborhood housing—for this reason other subsidy approaches
must be developed and deployed to make co-emergence possible.
THEME 2 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal N-1: Support well-planned, walkable neighborhoods.
N-1.1 Promote housing diversity, including missing middle
housing.
N-1.2 Increase required minimum densities in residential districts.
N-1.3 Revise the zoning map to lessen areas exclusively zoned
for single-type housing.
N-1.4 Promote development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
N-1.5 Encourage neighborhood focal point development with functions, activities, and facilities that can be sustained over time. Maintain standards for placement of community focal points and services within new development.
N-1.6 Encourage urban agriculture as part of focal point development, in close proximity to schools, and near dense or multi-unit housing.
N-1.7 Review and where appropriate, revise block and lot design standards, including orientation for solar power generation throughout city neighborhoods.
N-1.8 Install, replace, and maintain missing or damaged sidewalks, trails, and shared use paths.
N-1.9 Ensure multi modal connections between adjacent
developments
N-1.10 Increase connectivity between parks and neighborhoods through continued trail and sidewalk development. Prioritize closing gaps within the network.
N-1.11 Enable a gradual and predictable increase in density in developed areas over time.
N-1.12 Encourage major employers to provide employee housing within walking/biking distance of place of employment.
Goal N-2: Pursue simultaneous emergence of commercial
nodes and residential development through diverse
mechanisms in appropriate locations.
THEME 2: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Bozeman Creek Neighborhood Plan – 2005
Bozeman Health Subarea Plan -
2024
Downtown Improvement Plan – 2019
Housing Needs Assessment – 2019
Midtown Action Plan – 2017
Neighborhood Conservation
Overlay District (NCOD) Policy
Report - 2019
30 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
N-2.1 Ensure the zoning map identifies
locations for neighborhood and
community commercial nodes early in the development process.
N-2.2 Revise the zoning map to support
higher intensity residential districts near
schools, services, and transportation.
N-2.3 Investigate and encourage development
of commerce concurrent with, or soon
after, residential development. Actions, staff, and budgetary resources relating to neighborhood commercial development should be given a high priority
N-2.4 Evaluate design standards. Encourage development in appropriate districts of buildings that are capable of serving an initial residential purpose and be readily
converted to commercial uses when
adequate market support for commercial services exists.
N-2.5 Ensure that new development includes
opportunities for urban agriculture, including rooftop and home gardens, community gardens, or urban farms.
Goal N-3: Promote a diverse supply of
quality housing units.
N-3.1 Establish standards for provisions of
diversity of housing types in a given area.
N-3.2 Review zoning districts to assess the
range of housing types in each district.
N-3.3 Encourage distribution of affordable housing units throughout the City
with priority given to locations near
commercial, recreational, and transit assets.
N-3.4 Require development of affordable
housing through coordination of funding for affordable housing and infrastructure.
N-3.5 Strongly discourage private covenants
that restrict housing diversity or are contrary to City land development
policies or climate action plan goals.
N-3.6 Include adequate residentially-designated areas for anticipated future housing in the future land use map.
N-3.7 Support compact neighborhoods, small lot sizes, and small floor plans, especially through mechanisms such as density bonuses.
N-3.8 Promote the development of "Missing Middle" housing (side by side or stacked duplex, triplex, live-work, cottage housing, group living, rowhouses/
townhouses, etc.) as one of the most critical components of affordable housing.
N-3.9 Ensure an adequate supply of
appropriately designated land to accommodate Low Income Housing Tax Credit development in qualifying census tracts.
Goal N-4: Continue to encourage Bozeman’s
sense of place.
N-4.1 Continue to recognize and honor the unique history, neighborhoods, neighborhood character, and buildings that contribute to Bozeman’s sense of
place through programs and policy led
by both City and community efforts.
N-4.2 Incorporate features, in both public and
private projects, to provide organization,
structure, and landmarks as Bozeman grows.
N-4.3 Revise Design Guidelines within
the Conservation Overlay District
to distinguish Downtown from the residential neighborhoods, to encourage neighborhoods and neighborhoods near transition areas, both north and south of
Downtown.
N-4.4 Ensure an adequate supply of off-leash facilities to meet the demand of
Bozeman dog owners.
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 31
THEME 3 | A CITY BOLSTERED BY DOWNTOWN AND COMPLEMENTARY DISTRICTS
Our City is bolstered by our Downtown, Midtown, University and other
commercial districts and neighborhood centers that are characterized by higher
densities and intensities of use.
IMPORTANCE
Thoughtful city planning provides a host of advantages from economic vitality to environmental health to
overall quality of life. Many of Bozeman’s neighborhoods have a concentration of housing with a variety
of housing types that support nearby commercial centers. The City intends to look inward by prioritizing
infill. Concentrated development uses land more efficiently, may reduce infrastructure costs, and reduces
the overall amount of road surface and need for parking lots, improving overall access to parks, schools,
and shops. Access is ultimately improved and places are connected through a variety of transportation
options.
Concentrated development makes sense for our pocketbooks and overall health. When it comes to
promoting a walkable, bikeable, safe, affordable, and energy-efficient community, density and design
matter. Preventing sprawl and increasing resource efficiency depend on an intensity of urban life found
in our commercial centers. Innovative design and planning include ideas like pocket neighborhoods,
smaller housing, green alleys, urban agriculture, and creativity in our public spaces.
Sources: ESRI, USGS, NOAA
OAK
HUFFINE
MAIN
KAGY7TH19THCOTTONWOODTo
B
e
l
g
r
a
d
e
To Living
s
t
o
n
HIGHLANDCHURCHBRIDGER
ROUSEBAXTER
VALLEY CENTER
SPRINGHILLLakes
Rivers
City and Private Parks
County Park
Major Roads
Local Roads
Fowler District
Downtown District
Cottonwood District
City Limits
Baxter/Cattail District
Midtown District
Montana State University District
North 19th District
Story Mill DistrictBase LayersFramework Layers0 0.25 0.5 1 Miles Ü
Story Mill District
N 19th
Midtown District
Downtown District
Montana State University District
Baxter/CattailDistrict
Cottonwood District
FowlerDistrict
32 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
This Diagram is for illustrative purposes, and is conceptual only.
Complementary Districts
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 33
THEME 3 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal DCD-1: Support urban development within the City.
DCD-1.1 Evaluate alternatives for more intensive development in proximity to high visibility corners, services, and parks.
DCD-1.2 Remove regulatory barriers to infill.
DCD-1.3 Work with state regulatory agencies and the legislature to remove disincentives in state law and regulations to municipal development.
DCD-1.4 Update the Unified Development Code (UDC) to reflect density increases or minimums within key districts.
DCD-1.5 Identify underutilized sites, vacant, and undeveloped sites for possible development or redevelopment, including evaluating possible development incentives.
DCD-1.6 Investigate expansion of existing or creation of new urban renewal areas to encourage redevelopment of key properties.
DCD-1.7 Coordinate infrastructure construction, maintenance, and upgrades to support infill
development, reduce costs, and minimize disruption to the public.
DCD-1.8 Collaborate with the Montana State University School of Architecture and the Sustainable Foods and Bioenergy Systems department to develop educational materials and
opportunities for local architects, community planners, and citizens on how to do quality urban design for infill and greenfield sites.
DCD-1.9 Promote mixed-use developments with access to parks, open space, and transit options.
DCD-1.10 Support University efforts to attract development near campus.
DCD-1.11 Pursue annexations consistent with the future land use map and adopted facility plans for development at urban intensity.
DCD-1.12 Prioritize the acquisition and/or preservation of open space that supports community
values, addresses gaps in functionality and needs, and does not impede development of the community.
DCD-1.13 Pursue acquisition and development of diverse water sources and resources.
Goal DCD-2: Encourage growth throughout the City, while enhancing the pattern of
community development oriented on centers of employment and activity. Support an
increase in development intensity within developed areas.
DCD-2.1 Coordinate infrastructure development, land use development, and other City actions and
priorities through community planning.
DCD-2.2 Support higher density development along main corridors and at high visibility street
corners to accommodate population growth and support businesses.
DCD-2.3 Review and update minimum development intensity requirements in residential and non-residential zoning districts.
DCD-2.4 Evaluate revisions to maximum building height limits in all zoning districts to account for contemporary building methods and building code changes.
DCD-2.5 Identify and zone appropriate locations for neighborhood-scale commercial development.
34 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
DCD-2.6 Evaluate and pursue joint mitigation of development
impacts across multiple developments.
DCD-2.7 Encourage the location of higher density housing and public transit routes in proximity to one another.
DCD-2.8 Revise the zoning ordinance, reducing the number of zoning districts to be more consistent with the designated land use classifications, to simplify the development
process, and support affordability objectives of the plan.
DCD-2.9 Evaluate increasing the number of stories allowed in centers of employment and activity while also directing
height transitions down to adjacent neighborhoods.
Goal DCD-3: Ensure multimodal connectivity within the City.
DCD-3.1 Expand multimodal accessibility between districts and throughout the City as a means of
promoting personal and environmental health, as well as reducing automobile dependency.
DCD-3.2 Identify missing links in the multimodal system, prioritize those most beneficial to complete,
and pursue funding for completion of those links.
DCD-3.3 Identify major existing and future destinations for biking and walking to aid in prioritization of route planning and completion.
DCD-3.4 Support implementation of the Bozeman Transportation Master Plan strategies.
DCD-3.5 Encourage increased development intensity in commercial centers and near major
employers.
DCD-3.6 Evaluate parking requirements and methods of providing parking as part of the overall
transportation system for and between districts.
Goal DCD-4: Implement a regulatory environment that supports the Community Plan goals.
DCD-4.1 Ensure that the Planning Department is supported with the resources required to effectively implement this plan, to dedicate staff to long range and regional planning efforts, and to process development applications expeditiously.
DCD-4.2 Continuously invite and give due consideration to the input of design and development professionals in the improvement of the city's project evaluation processes and development code.
DCD-4.3 Complete the transition to a form-based code and simplification so that it can be understood by the general public and consistently applied by planning staff.
DCD-4.4 Differentiate between development and redevelopment. Allow relaxations of code
provisions for developed parcels to allow redevelopment to the full potential of their zoning district.
EXISTING PLANSBozeman Creek Enhancement Plan – 2012
Bozeman Creek Neighborhood Plan – 2005
Bozeman Health Subarea Plan -
2024
Climate Action Plan – 2020
Community Housing Action Plan - 2020
Community Transportation Safety Plan – 2013
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 35
THEME 4 | A CITY INFLUENCED BY OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, PARKS, AND OPEN LANDS
Our City is home to an outdoor-conscious population that honors and protects our
natural environment and our well-managed open space and parks system.
IMPORTANCE
Surrounded by mountains, within close proximity to world-class rivers and Yellowstone National Park,
Bozeman’s natural environment is hard to beat. It’s the foundation of our healthy tourist economy and the
reason why many people move here, start businesses, and raise their families. It’s also the reason behind
the City’s prioritization of parks, trails, and open space. And while Bozeman residents value and enjoy
many forms of outdoor recreation, community members also understand and appreciate the need for
maintaining and protecting the natural resources that support a healthy ecosystem.
Protecting our immediate and regional ecosystem requires diligence and careful planning as Bozeman
and Gallatin County continue to grow. Responding to climate change, protecting the health of our water
systems and our air quality, and grappling with the impacts of increased human population and invasive
plants and animals are some of our challenges.
Maxar00.7 1.4 2.10.35
Miles
¯
Parks and Open Lands
P u b l i c P a r k s
L a n d U s e P l a n
Boundary
City Limits
36 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 37
THEME 4 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal EPO-1: Prioritize strategic acquisition of parks to provide a variety of recreational
opportunities throughout the City.
EPO-1.1 Coordinate the location of existing and future parks to create opportunities for linear parks to connect larger parks. Prioritize quality locations and features in parks over quantity of parks.
EPO-1.2 Collaborate with partner agencies and organizations to establish sustainable funding sources for ongoing acquisition, construction, and operations of City parks, trails, gardens, and open space.
EPO-1.3 Incorporate unique and inclusive recreational and artistic elements into parks.
EPO-1.4 Research and implement multi-use features within parks to promote increased use and visitation. Wherever possible, parks are connected to multi-modal transportation options
and accessible for people with disabilities.
EPO-1.5 Work with partner organizations to identify and reduce impacts on at-risk, environmentally sensitive areas that contribute to water quality, wildlife corridors, or wildlife habitat,
specifically wildlife habitat as we continue outward growth.
EPO-1.6 Upon completion of an update to the City’s park master plan, review standards of the UDC for adequacy and update, as needed, to coordinate with development review standards and practices.
Goal EPO-2: Work to ensure that development is responsive to natural features.
EPO-2.1 Where appropriate, activate connections to waterways by creating locations, adjacent trails, and amenities encouraging people to access them.
EPO-2.2 Work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep wetlands mitigation within the Gallatin
Valley rather than locating to other watersheds.
EPO-2.3 Identify, prioritize, and preserve key wildlife habitat and corridors.
Goal EPO-3: Address climate change in the City’s plans and operations.
EPO-3.1 Support development of maintenance standards including sidewalk clearing, sidewalk surfaces, bike lanes, and procedures for consistent implementation.
EPO-3.2 Ensure complete streets and identify long-term resources for the maintenance of year-
round bike and multi-use paths to improve utilization and reduce annual per capita vehicle miles traveled.
EPO-3.3 Support water conservation, use of native plants in landscaping, and development of water
reuse systems.
EPO-3.4 Review and update landscape and open space standards for public and private open spaces to reduce water use. Likewise, review and update standards for reuse systems.
EPO-3.5 Update land development standards to implement the Integrated Water Resources Plan.
EPO-3.6 Review and revise stormwater standards to address changing storm profiles.
EPO-3.7 Review and update development regulations to implement facility and service plans when those plans are updated.
38 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
EPO-3.8 In coordination with the Sustainability Division, provide
public education on energy conservation and diversified
power generation alternatives.
EPO-3.9 Integrate climate change considerations into development standards.
EPO-3.10 Inclusion of community gardens, edible landscaping, and urban micro-farms as part of open spaces outside of watercourses and wetlands in subdivisions is
encouraged where appropriate.
EPO-3.11 Support resource conservation through recycling, composting, and other appropriate means.
Goal EPO-4: Promote uses of the natural environment that
maintain and improve habitat, water quantity, and water
quality, while giving due consideration to the impact of City
regulations on economic viability.
EPO-4.1 Eliminate reliance on private maintenance of public infrastructure, including public parks, trail systems, and stormwater facilities. Identify a sustainable and reliable public funding source for this infrastructure.
EPO-4.2 Update floodplain and other regulations that protect the environment.
EPO-4.3 Pursue an inter-jurisdictional effort to establish
baseline information on air quality trends and enhance monitoring facilities.
EPO-4.4 Collaborate with other Montana cities working with
regulatory agencies to establish fair and technologically
feasible water treatment standards.
EPO-4.5 Complete the update for an integrated Hazard
Management and Mitigation Plan.
EPO-4.6 Develop a plan to mitigate conflicts between humans and wildlife through the use of proactive, non-lethal measures.
THEME 4: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Bozeman Creek Enhancement
Plan – 2012
Cemetery Master Plan - 2018
Climate Action Plan – 2020
Drought Management Plan – 2017
Integrated Water Resources
Implementation Plan – 2013
Parks, Trails, and Active
Transportation Plan - 2023
Stormwater Facilities Plan – 2025
Transportation Master Plan – 2017:
Urban Forestry Management Plan
– 2016
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update – 2025
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 39
THEME 5 | A CITY THAT PRIORITIZES ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY CHOICES
Our City fosters the close proximity of housing, services, and jobs, and desires to
provide safe, efficient mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers.
IMPORTANCE
The best transportation plan is a good land use plan. Transportation systems impact the following: 1)
livability (in terms of traffic congestion, but also noise, pollution, physical activity, accessibility, safety,
and aesthetics); 2) affordability (after housing, transportation is the second largest expense for most
households); and 3) sustainability (transportation accounted for more than one third of Bozeman’s 2016
greenhouse gas emissions). Notably, the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the busiest airport
in the state. An affordable, livable, sustainable city should grow with reduced reliance on driving alone to
reach daily destinations.
Active transportation increases daily physical activity, improving health and lowering healthcare costs.
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in our country. Designing
streets to prioritize safety (rather than speed) significantly reduces fatal injuries for all users and
promotes active transportation.
Living in housing that’s far from daily destinations usually means the only reasonable transportation
choice is your personal car. Thoughtful community planning provides residents and visitors with a wide
range of transportation options. Appropriately designed trails, sidewalks, crossings, bike lanes, and
transit networks help us move around our neighborhoods and promote safe, efficient passage to our
destinations.
40 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
This Diagram is for illustrative purposes, and is conceptual only.
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For additional information, please visit: https://www.bozeman.net/visitors/bike-routes
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 41
THEME 5 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal M-1: Ensure multimodal accessibility.
M-1.1 Prioritize mixed-use land use patterns. Encourage and enable the development of housing, jobs, and services in close proximity to one another.
M-1.2 Make transportation investment decisions that recognize active transportation modes and transit as a priority.
M-1.3 Develop service standard levels for multimodal travel.
M-1.4 Develop safe, connected, and complementary transportation networks for pedestrians, bicyclists, and users of other personal mobility devices (e-bikes, electric
scooters, powered wheelchairs, etc.).
M-1.5 Identify locations for key mobility hubs (e.g. rideshare drop off/ pick up areas, bike/scooter share, transit service, bike,
and pedestrian connections).
M-1.6 Integrate consideration of rideshare and other mobility choices into community planning regulations.
M-1.7 Develop a trunk network of high-frequency, priority transit service connecting major commercial nodes and coinciding with increased density.
M-1.8 Establish standards and procedures for placement of bus
shelters in City rights of way.
M-1.9 Prioritize and construct key bicycle infrastructure, to include
wayfinding signage, connections, and enhancements with
emphasis on completing network connectivity.
M-1.10 In conjunction with the transportation plan, work to develop a core network of “AAA” (appropriate for all ages
and abilities) bike routes covering at least 75 percent of
households and 75 percent of jobs within ½ mile of the network.
M-1.11 Prioritize and construct key sidewalk connections and
enhancements.
M-1.12 Eliminate parking minimum requirements in commercial districts and affordable housing areas and reduce parking
minimums elsewhere, acknowledging that demand for
parking will still result in new supply being built.
M-1.13 Work with community partners to expand the Main Street to
the Mountains network and integrate the larger community
recreational travel network.
M-1.14 Identify possible routes for future bicycle and pedestrian beltway/greenway.
Anticipating Changes in Multimodal Transportation OHM Advisors
42 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
Goal M-2: Ensure multimodal safety.
M-2.1 Work with the Public Works Department, Police Department, and other partners to provide education on safe travel behaviors and rules.
M-2.2 Review and, as appropriate, update the City’s complete streets policy.
M-2.3 Work with School District #7 and other community partners
in planning and operating safe routes to local schools.
M-2.4 Encourage the design of school sites to support walking and biking.
M-2.5 Develop safe crossings along priority and high utilization pedestrian and biking corridors.
THEME 5: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Bozeman Community
Transportation Safety Plan – 2013
Downtown Strategic Parking
Management Plan – 2016
Parks, Trails, and Active
Transportation Plan - 2023
Transportation Master Plan – 2017
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 43
THEME 6 | A CITY POWERED BY ITS CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY
Our City benefits from and desires to further an expanding economy that
is powered by the talents of its residents, a dedicated and engaged business
community, and strong regional partnerships.
IMPORTANCEBozeman’s economy is diverse and expanding, with a mix of businesses and industries centered on
technology, healthcare, education, recreation, and tourism, and regional services. This is one of the City’s great strengths. The City also has many lower wage jobs in service roles. Bozeman has access to
cutting edge education and research at opportunities from Montana State University. With an enrollment
of nearly 17,000 students, the University hosts ten colleges that includes subjects such as Engineering, Agriculture, Business, and Nursing. Graduates have created offshoot industries that foster competencies
in several national industries, including businesses in opto-electronics, biofilm, and outdoor gear and other industries. Continued investment in job training and education is needed to support continued
economic growth.
The City’s commitment to broadband availability through its Economic Development Division has
improved availability of national-level broadband speeds in key areas of the City, making state of the art communications and information from distant consultants available locally. Immediate and short-distance
proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities provides significant daily mental and physical health
benefits to residents and employers, making Bozeman one of the most desirable innovation centers in
the country.
Bozeman’s growing economy makes possible its increasing dynamism, diversity, and wealth. Each of the
major sectors of our economy – education, technology, outdoor recreations, tourism, health care, and regional services – benefits from and reinforces the others. The growing economy provides resources
the money that enables the City to pursue its priorities.
Maxar00.7 1.4 2.10.35
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Financial and Economic Areas
South BozemanTechnology District
P o l e Y a r d U r b a nRenewal District
NortheastNeighborhood UrbanRenewal District
Downtown TaxIncrement District
N o r t h P a r k U r b a nRenewal District
M i d t o w n U r b a n
Renewal District
L a n d U s e P l a nBoundary
City Limits
44 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 45
THEME 6 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND ACTIONS
Goal EE-1: Promote the continued development of Bozeman
as an innovative and thriving economic center.
EE-1.1 Support the goals and objectives outlined in the Bozeman Economic Development Strategy.
EE-1.2 Invest in those infrastructure projects that will strengthen
business and higher education communities as coordinated through the annual capital improvement plan.
EE-1.3 Continue to facilitate live/work opportunities as a way to
support small, local businesses in all zoning districts.
EE-1.4 Support employee retention and attraction efforts by encouraging continued development of affordable housing
in close proximity to large employers.
EE-1.5 Support expansion of current and emerging infrastructure technologies including fiber optic service and other
communication infrastructure.
EE-1.6 Update the zoning map to correct deficiencies identified in the annual land use inventory report.
Goal EE-2: Survey and revise land use planning and
regulations to promote and support economic diversification
efforts.
EE-2.1 Ensure the future land use map contains adequate areas of land for anticipated diverse users.
EE-2.2 Review and revise, or possibly replace, the Business Park
Mixed Use zoning district to include urban standards and
consider possible alterations to the allowed uses.
EE-2.3 Adopt zoning regulations that establish and define the range of urban agricultural practices, including vertical
farms and other forms of urban farming, as a permitted or conditional use in appropriate locations. Urban agriculture can be compatible with a variety of land use designations shown on the Future Land Use Map.
THEME 6: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Downtown Improvement Plan – 2019
Economic Development Strategy
Update – 2023
Transportation Master Plan – 2017
Wastewater Collection Facilities Plan Update – 2025
46 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
THEME 7 | A CITY ENGAGED IN REGIONAL COORDINATION
Our City, in partnership with Gallatin County, Montana State University, and
other regional authorities, desires to address the needs of a rapidly growing
and changing regional population through strategic infrastructure choices and
coordinated decision-making.
IMPORTANCE
Cooperation between agencies makes sense. Conflicting decisions and lack of trust between agencies
can create complications and uncertainty, adversely affect our overall public health and safety, and drive up costs. A good working relationship between city and county officials and staff can reduce conflicts, improve our overall infrastructure, lower taxpayer costs and ultimately create a safer, healthier community. Regional coordination creates and maintains a coherent land use pattern that supports the
needs of existing and future residents and the desire to protect community character and amenities.
Cooperation between jurisdictions supports development patterns that do not compromise the ability of municipalities to grow in the future or expand necessary infrastructure. The jurisdictional lines between City and County, state land and local land, are important in helping define the roles of various public agencies.
Belgrade, Bozeman, and Gallatin County have mutually agreed they will coordinate land use in the area of overlapping jurisdictions known as the triangle, and pursuant to the Triangle Community Plan, to achieve:
• Compact, contiguous development and infill to achieve an efficient use of land and infrastructure, reducing sprawl and preserving open space, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, and water resources;• Well-planned transportation systems, consistent with the overall growth management vision, support the development of multi-modal and public transportation networks;• Community cores that have adequate transportation, utility, health, educational, and recreational
facilities. Residential areas that provide healthy surroundings; and • Opportunities for agriculture, industry, and business, while minimizing conflict between adjacent land uses.
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 47
48 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
Bozeman commits to Gallatin County and the City of Belgrade to work together in pursuit of these goals.
The Planning Coordinating Committee will play a key role in coordinating this work.
THEME 7 | GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS
Goal RC-1: Improve communication and coordination with Gallatin County, the City of
Belgrade, public schools, and other regional public entities regarding community planning
and associated matters.
RC-1.1 Consider regional impacts when making policy decisions affecting areas outside the City.
RC-1.2 Coordinate planning activities to promote consistency throughout the region for parks, transportation, bus service, and other community infrastructure.
RC-1.3 Research, understand, and collaboratively construct infrastructure and transportation improvements that benefit the region.
RC-1.4 Participate in regularly scheduled coordination meetings with Gallatin County and the City of
Belgrade planning departments and planning boards to coordinate planning issues.
RC-1.5 Implement the Triangle Community Plan in coordination between Bozeman, Belgrade, and Gallatin County.
RC-1.6 Prepare for establishment of a Metropolitan Planning Organization, anticipated to be required by federal law after the completion of the 2020 US Census.
Goal RC-2: Continue and build on successful collaboration with Gallatin County, neighboring
municipalities, and other agencies to identify and mitigate potential hazards and develop
coordinated response plans.
RC-2.1 Prohibit development in environmentally-sensitive or hazard-prone areas.
RC-2.2 Identify effective, affordable, and regionally-appropriate hazard mitigation techniques through the Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection Plan and other tools. As a group, annually review the Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan, and determine the
need for updates and enhancements.
RC-2.3 Along with non-profit and agency partners, identify, map, and utilize geographic information systems (GIS) data to locate and monitor developments on environmentally sensitive and
hazard-prone areas.
RC-2.4 Review and revise land use regulations and standards that affect the wildland urban interface to provide adequate public safety measures, mitigate impacts on public health, and encourage fiscal responsibility.
RC-2.5 Through coordination with non-profit and agency partners, identify and prioritize lands for acquisition or placement of conservation easements with the goal of lessening or eliminating development in environmentally sensitive areas and/or preserving areas consistent with the
other priorities of this Growth Policy.
Goal RC-3: Collaborate with Gallatin County regarding annexation and development patterns
adjacent to the City to provide certainty for landowners and taxpayers.
RC-3.1 Work with Gallatin County to create compact, contiguous development and infill to achieve an
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 49
efficient use of land and infrastructure, reducing sprawl and
preserving open space, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat,
and water resources.
RC-3.2 Work with Gallatin County to keep rural areas rural and maintain a clear edge to urban development that evolves as
the City expands outwards.
RC-3.3 Prioritize annexations that enable the incremental expansion of the City and its utilities.
RC-3.4 Encourage annexation of land adjacent to the City prior to development and encourage annexation of wholly surrounded areas.
RC-3.5 Establish standard practices for sharing development application information and exchanging comments between the City and County.
RC-3.6 Develop shared information on development processes.
RC-3.7 Provide education and information on the value and benefits of annexation, including existing un-annexed pockets surrounding the City, to individual landowners and the community at large.
Establish interlocal agreements, when appropriate, to formalize working relationships and
procedures.
RC-3.8 Coordinate with Gallatin County for siting, development, and redevelopment of regional parks, emergency services, fairgrounds, transportation facilities, interchanges, or other significant
regional services.
Goal RC-4: Ensure that all City actions support continued development of the City, consistent
with its adopted Plans and standards.
RC-4.1 Enhance collaboration between City agencies to ensure quality design and innovation across public and private areas.
RC-4.2 Further develop reasonable and relevant metrics for community development within the City’s Planning Area to determine whether the intent of this Plan is being accomplished.
RC-4.3 Prioritize human well-being and health in the creation and implementation of land development
standards.
RC-4.4 Update the Unified Development Code (UDC) to:• Implement a twice-yearly code revision cycle. Identify and make revisions to optimize
the UDC current conditions.
• Incorporate development minimums in designated growth areas.• Revise the zoning map to harmonize with the future land use map.
THEME 7: OTHER RELEVANT
PLANS
Bozeman Strategic Plan – 2018
Fire and EMS Master Plan – 2017
Gallatin County Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire
Protection Plan – 2020
Triangle Community Plan – 2020
Wastewater Collection Facilities
Plan Update – 2025
Water Facility Plan Update – 2017
50 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
03
03 | FUTURE LAND USE
IMPORTANCE
Future land use is the community’s fundamental building block. It is an illustration of the City’s desired
outcome to accommodate the complex and diverse needs of its residents. Part of Bozeman’s appeal is
its distinct character. Its character comes from the natural setting and includes the sense of place created
by constructed landmarks such as Downtown and the MSU campus. Continuing Bozeman’s character
as a unique place rather than “Anywhere, USA” is important. There is increasing evidence that sense of
place is an important influence on economic development and overall community health.
Bozeman’s physical landscape provides residents and visitors variety when moving amongst its streets,
bike paths, and trails. This variety is often noted as an important part of Bozeman’s unique character – to
experience open, agricultural, and recreational spaces just minutes from dense, urban corridors from
the seat of a bike or a car, a bus, or when walking. As Bozeman continues to evolve, promoting this
landscape diversity will be important to maintaining the community character that people know and love.
Community development oriented on centers of employment and activity shorten travel distances and
encourage multi-modal transportation, increase business synergies, and permit greater efficiencies in the
delivery of public services.
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 51
City activities all require continuous thoughtfulness and planning. Capital improvements, maintenance
programs, and plan implementation tools must be regularly evaluated and updated. Ensuring
a consistent set of guiding principles provides a higher level of service to residents, minimizes
contradictory or conflicting policies that waste resources, and enable a more accurate evaluation of
public policies.
All of these are reflected in, and shaped by, the way land is used. The character of our well-planned
City is defined by urban edges, a varied skyline, centers of employment and activity, pedestrian-friendly
streetscapes, and easy access to the natural world.
The land use map sets generalized expectations for what goes where in the community. Each category
has its own descriptions. Understanding the future land use map is not possible without understanding
the category descriptions. Land use categories are not regulatory. Each category description can be
implemented by multiple zoning districts. The land use categories and descriptions provide a guide for
appropriate development and redevelopment locations for civic, residential, commercial, industrial, and
other uses. The Future land use designations are important because they aim to further the vision and
goals of the City through promoting sustainability, citizen and visitor safety, and a high quality of life that
will shape Bozeman’s future development.
52 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
FUTURE LAND USE MAP - LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS
The Future Land Use Map for the Planning Area is an indispensable part of this Plan. It utilizes ten land
use categories to illustrate and guide the intent, type of use, density, and intensity of future development.
The map does not always represent existing uses but does reflect the uses that are desired. Although
Gallatin County has final approval authority on land development outside the City of Bozeman, land
annexed by the City is under the City’s authority. The City has adopted facility plans that enable
coordination with Gallatin County. If one or more intergovernmental agreements are developed that
address areas outside City limits, development would need to meet the terms of these agreements. Land
use categories are not regulatory in and of themselves. The Correlation with Zoning table shows the
existing zoning districts that implement the intent of each district.
The future land use map is not limited to conditions or needs expected within a certain number of years.
It depicts what, at whatever time the land changes use, what the City sees as the best long term use.
It may take many plan update cycles before the depicted conditions on the future land use map occur.
The Planning Area boundary and development opportunities are coordinated with the City’s water and
sewer plans. These plans are periodically updated. The Planning Area boundary and capacity should be
reviewed to accommodate changes in these plans. Amendments to the FLUM follow the procedures in
Chapter 5. Due to limitations of scale and ability to predict the nuances of land development, the water
bodies and streams are not depicted nor are the locations of future parks.
The categories are as follows:
1. URBAN NEIGHBORHOOD.
This category primarily includes urban density homes in a variety of types, shapes, sizes, and
intensities. Large areas of any single type of housing are discouraged. In limited instances, an
area may develop at a lower gross density due to site constraints and/or natural features such
as floodplains or steep slopes. Complementary uses such as parks, home-based occupations,
fire stations, churches, schools, and some neighborhood-serving commerce provide activity
centers for community gathering and services. The Urban Neighborhood designation
indicates that development is expected to occur within municipal boundaries. This may require
annexation prior to development.
Applying a zoning district to specific parcels sets the required and allowed density. Higher
density residential areas are encouraged to be, but are not required or restricted to, proximity
to commercial mixed use areas to facilitate the provision of services and employment
opportunities without requiring the use of a car.
Near Enterprise Blvd. and Graf St.Northeast NeighborhoodsNear N. Black Ave. and E. Beall St.
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 53
2. RESIDENTIAL MIXED USE.
This category promotes neighborhoods substantially dominated by housing, yet integrated
with small-scale commercial and civic uses. The housing can include single-attached and
small single-detached dwellings, apartments, and live-work units. If buildings include ground
floor commercial uses, residences should be located on upper floor. Variation in building
mass, height, and other design characteristics should contribute to a complete and interesting
streetscape.
Secondary supporting uses, such as retail, office, and civic uses, are permitted on the ground
floor. All uses should complement existing and planned residential uses. Non-residential uses
are expected to be pedestrian oriented and emphasize the human scale with modulation in
larger structures. Stand alone, large, non-residential uses are discouraged. Non-residential
spaces should provide an interesting pedestrian experience with quality urban design for
buildings, sites, and open spaces.
This category is appropriate near commercial centers. Larger areas should be well served by
multimodal transportation routes. Multi-unit, higher density, urban development is expected.
Any development within this category should have a well-integrated transportation and open
space network that encourages pedestrian activity and provides ready-access within and
adjacent development.
Cannery District Northeast NeighborhoodsNear Enterprise Blvd. and Graf St.
54 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
3. COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL MIXED USE.
The Community Commercial Mixed Use category promotes commercial areas necessary
for economic health and vibrancy. This includes professional and personal services, retail,
education, health services, offices, public administration, and tourism establishments. Density
is expected to be higher than it is currently in most commercial areas in Bozeman and should
include multi-story buildings. Residences on upper floors, in appropriate circumstances, are
encouraged. The urban character expected in this designation includes urban streetscapes,
plazas, outdoor seating, public art, and hardscaped open space and park amenities. High
density residential areas are expected in close proximity.
Developments in this land use area should be located on one or two quadrants of
intersections of the arterial and/or collector streets and integrated with transit and non-
automotive routes. Due to past development patterns, there are also areas along major
streets where this category is organized as a corridor rather than a center. Although a broad
range of uses may be appropriate in both types of locations, the size and scale is to be
smaller within the local service areas. Building and site designs made to support easy reuse
of the building and site over time is important. Mixed use areas should be developed in an
integrated, pedestrian friendly manner and should not be overly dominated by any single
use. Higher intensity uses are encouraged in the core of the area or adjacent to significant
streets and intersections. Building height or other methods of transition may be required for
compatibility with adjacent development.
Smaller neighborhood scale areas are intended to provide local service to an area of
approximately one half-mile to one mile radius as well as passersby. These smaller centers
support and help give identity to neighborhoods by providing a visible and distinct focal point
as well as employment and services. Densities of nearby homes needed to support this scale
are an average of 14 to 22 dwellings per net acre.
Northeast Neighborhoods Ferguson FarmsCannery District
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 55
4. TRADITIONAL CORE.
The traditional core of Bozeman is Downtown. This area exemplifies high quality urban design
including an active streetscape supported by a mix of uses on multiple floors, a high level of
walkability, and a rich architectural and local character. Additionally, essential government
services and flexible spaces for events and festivals support opportunities for civic and social
engagement. The intensity of development in this district is high with a Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
well over 1. As Bozeman grows, continued evolution is necessary for long-term resilience.
Challenges do exist, particularly around keeping local identity intact, balancing growth
sensitively, and welcoming more transportation modes and residents. Underdevelopment and
a lack of flexibility can threaten the viability of the land use designation. Future development
should be intense while providing areas of transition to adjacent neighborhoods and
preserving the character of the Main Street Historic District through context-sensitive
development.
5. REGIONAL COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES.
Regionally significant developments in this land use category may be developed with
physically large and economically prominent facilities requiring substantial infrastructure and
location near significant transportation facilities. Due to the scale of these developments,
location, and transition between lower-density uses is important. Residential space should be
located above the first floor to maintain land availability for necessary services. Development
within this category needs well-integrated utilities, transportation, and open space networks
that encourage pedestrian activity and provide ready-access within and adjacent to
development. Large community scale areas in this land use category are generally 75 acres
or larger and are activity centers for several surrounding square miles. These are intended to
service the overall community as well as adjacent neighborhoods and are typically distributed
by a one-to two-mile separation.
Main St.Main St.Babcock St.
1001 Oak Street Highland Blvd.Kenyon Noble
56 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
6. MAKER SPACE MIXED USE
This classification provides areas for dynamic mixed uses including technology industries,
manufacturing, research and development, offices, and supportive uses to provide
employment and services to the community. Opportunity for live/work may be provided or
housing elements integrated on upper floors of mixed use buildings. Careful consideration is
given to public policies supporting compatibility to enable mixed uses to coexist in harmony.
Development within these areas is often intensive and the area is connected to significant
transportation corridors. Although use in these areas may be intense, they are part of the
larger community and standards for architecture and site design apply.
Multi-Modal Freight Terminal Northwestern EnergyStraightaway Motors
7. INDUSTRIAL.
This classification provides areas for manufacturing, warehousing, technology industries,
and transportation hubs. Development within these areas is intensive and is connected to
significant transportation corridors. Uses that would be harmed by industrial activities are
discouraged from locating in these areas. Although use in these areas is intense, they are
part of the larger community and standards for architecture and site design apply. In some
circumstances, uses other than those typically considered industrial have been historically
present in areas that were given an industrial designation in prior growth policies. Careful
consideration must be given to public policies to allow these mixed uses to coexist in
harmony.
S&S Building Employment with on site residentialOffices
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 57
8. PARKS AND OPEN LANDS.
All recreational lands, including parks, are included within this category, as well as certain
private lands. These areas are generally open in character and may or may not be developed
for active recreational purposes. This category includes conservation easements or other
private property which may not be open for public use.
Sourdough Trail AreaStory Mill Park Meyers Lake
10. NO CITY SERVICES.
This category designates areas where development is considered inappropriate over the
20-year planning horizon of this growth policy because of natural features, negative impacts
on the desired development pattern, or difficulty providing urban services. As a result, the
City does not anticipate building infrastructure to serve these lands at any time during the
Planning Period. As the City’s growth policy is updated, some areas currently classified as No
City Services may be reclassified. Suburban or rural density subdivisions in these areas are
discouraged because they impede an orderly and cost effective expansion of the City.
9. PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The land in this classification is owned by a public entity. A variety of activities are undertaken
in this land use classification. Schools are a dominant use including Montana State University.
Other typical uses are libraries, fire stations, and publicly operated utilities. A significant
portion of Bozeman’s employment occurs within this category.
Meadowlark Elementary SchoolBozeman Public Library, Main St.City Hall
58 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
Legend
CORRELATION WITH ZONING
The zoning districts which implement each future land use category are shown in relation to each future
land use category in chart below. For zoning district intent, see 38.300. For permitted uses, see 38.310.
Urban Neighborhood
R-A, R-B, R-C, R-D, REMU, B-1, PLI
Residential Mixed Use
R-B, R-C, R-D, REMU, B-1, BLI
Community Commercial Mixed Use
REMU, B-1, B-2, B-2M, UMU, NEHMU
PLI
Traditional Core
B-2M, B-3, B-3C, PLI
Regional Commercial & Services
B-2, B-2M, PLI
Maker Space Mixed Use
BP, M-1, NEHMU, PLI
Industrial
M-1, M-2, BP, PLI
Parks & Open Lands
PLI
Public Institutions
PLI
Low Density Housing
Moderate Density Housing
Medium Density Housing
High Density Housing & Mixed Use
Neighborhood & Community Commercial & Business
Office
Downtown Business & Mixed Use
Large Commercial & Business
Manufacturing & Artisan
Public Lands, Parks, & Open Space
Educational Facilities
Civic Buildings & Institutions
Maker Space
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 59
THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP
The Future Land Use Map on the following page identifies the
land use categories that are detailed on the previous pages in
Chapter 3. Due to the large scale of the map, any useful review
will require access to its digital version, which can be expanded
to show details. The City’s web viewer displays the most current
digital version of the map at all times. It is available at https://
gisweb.bozeman.net/Html5Viewer/?viewer=planning.
Outward development of the City is strongly connected to
locations of municipal water and sewer systems. The City has
planned for eventual utility services to the Planning Area. The
inset map at right shows the location of current City boundaries
and where utility services are presently available. New
development regularly expands this area.
Many mapping resources for utilities, land use, zoning, parks,
transportation, floodplains, and other land use related subjects
are available through the City’s web portal at https://www.
bozeman.net/government/gis-mapping.
60 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
Earthstar Geographics
C i t y o f B o z e m a n L a n d U s e P l a n n i n g
L a n d U s e P l a n B o u n d a r y
City Limits 0 1 2 30.5
Miles
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BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 61FERGUSONSOURDOUGHDURSTON
GOLDENSTEINROUSEMAIN
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C i t y o f B o z e m a n
Future Land Use
Urban Neighborhood
Traditional Core
Residential MixedUse
RegionalCommercial andServices
CommunityCommercial MixedUse
Maker Space Mixed
Use
Industrial
Public Institutions
P a r k s a n d O p e n
Lands
No City Services
Major Roads
L a n d U s e P l a n
Boundary
62 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
04 | IMPLEMENTATION
IMPORTANCE
Implementation of the goals, objectives, and actions of this Plan will require work in coordination with
action items listed below and referred to in more detail in Chapter 2. Implementation will proceed in
coordination with the City’s Strategic Plan, Capital Improvements Program, and other relevant plans and
documents guiding the City. Some of the actions are already underway while others will occur in the
future. Not all factors needed for success are controlled by the City. Successful implementation of this
Plan will require dedication, engagement, and hard work from the community.
This Plan is intended to be a living document used daily by the City. Measuring and reporting on the
Plan’s efficacy (or outcomes) is a main tenant of the Plan. Successful implementation of the Plan will be
enhanced by periodic reporting and by objective monitoring. These activities can determine how well
the City’s initial objectives are working, where they can be improved, and what is not working.
To that end, the Department of Community Development will annually provide a report to the Community
Development Board and the City Commission summarizing the actions taken to date to achieve each of
the Objectives and Actions described in Chapter 2 and the success of these actions.
In addition, objective monitoring will take place at specified intervals based on information availability.
Indicators have been identified for each Theme in order to track progress and setbacks. For example,
one indicator under the neighborhoods-based Theme evaluates housing stock diversity by looking at
square footages, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the taxable value of homes. A diverse
housing stock is indicative of a City that is more accessible and affordable to those of all incomes.
04
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 63
SHORT-TERM ACTION LIST
This Plan identifies many actions and objectives to address the listed goals. Many actions are ongoing.
Some are specific shorter-term actions to implement this Plan. The following list is not listed in any order
of priority and is drawn from those shorter-term actions listed in Chapter 2. The City completed many
implementation actions since initial adoption in November 2020. More actions remain to be finished.
1. Evaluate zoning map changes needed to implement objectives N-2.1, N-2.2 consistent with factors
identified in Chapter 5, Zoning Amendment Review.
2. Evaluate design standards as identified in objective N-2.4. Buildings are to be capable of serving
an initial residential purpose and be readily converted to commercial uses when adequate market
support for commercial services exists.
3. Identify missing links in the multimodal system, prioritize those most beneficial to complete, and
pursue funding for completion of those links as noted in objectives M-1.4, M-1.9, and M-1.11.
4. Revise current intersection level of service design standards to multimodal level of service or traffic
stress for people walking, biking, and using transit as identified in objective M-1.3.
5. Update zoning map to conform to the future land use map with the MLUPA compliance zoning
code adoption.
MONITORING AND UPDATES
Tracking and monitoring the accomplishment of the Plan is critical. Each Theme has one or more
identified indicators, which use data to measure success towards the goal. Each indicator listed below
identifies a source—from where the data should be drawn, description, frequency—defines how often
the data is available, and set forth notes describing key considerations.
The development of indicators requires the City to establish where we are now in relation to each
indicator. This provides a baseline from which to track changes over time. Indicators were selected to
be replicable, effective, and where possible, of a similar scope and nature as for indicators for with peer
cities. A target, or where we want to go, will be established for each indicator. In some cases the process
of setting a target will itself require substantial effort. The targets listed below are to give a general
indication of intended trends; further refinement will follow. If an indicator shows over time that the City
is getting farther from, rather than closer to, the intended target, it may be necessary to modify targets,
policies, or standards. The process for revising the growth policy is described in Chapter 5. Development
of specific targets for each indicator has been completed. An annual report on the status of each
indicator should be provided to the community. The City created an online dashboard to present the
ongoing results of the monitoring.
64 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
Table 5. Monitoring and Updates
indicator Source Frequency Notes Target
Qualitative City Measures
Community Perception of City
Performance
Citizen Satisfaction Survey 3 year cycle intent to capture citizen quality of life
measures such as iCMA National Citizen
Survey
Maintain or improve
land use related
scores
A City of Unique Neighborhoods
Housing Stock Diversity State of Montana Department of Revenue, MLS 2 years Type, Square footage, number of bedrooms, and number of baths Maintain or increase
Residential Density State of Montana, Department of Revenue Real-time data analyzed and published annually Gross dwelling units per acre of residentially-zoned and developed land by zoning district
increase
Walk Score Walk Score®Annually Ability to meet basic needs within walking distance increase
A City Bolstered by Downtown and Complementary Districts
Location of Development City of Bozeman, CDD Real-time data analyzed
and published annually
Development within subdivisions platted
more than and less than 35 years ago
increase
redevelopment
A City influenced by Our Natural Environment, Parks, and Open Lands
Park Accessibility City of Bozeman, GiS 2 years Percentage of residents/households
within ½-mile walking distance to open
space or trails.
increase
Vehicle Miles Traveled MDOT 2 years Per capita Reduce
A City that Prioritizes Accessibility and Mobility Choices
Transit Accessibility Streamline Annually increase ridership.increase
A City Powered by its Creative, innovative, and Entrepreneurial Economy
Land Use Availability City of Bozeman, Community Development Division, GiS Division
Monthly data analyzed and published annually Availability of land not for economic activity based on annual land use inventory
Maintain
A City Engaged in Regional Coordination
City Expansion City of Bozeman, Community
Development Division; Gallatin
County Planning Staff
2 years Number of projects within the
Planning Area but outside of City limits
that conform to adopted interlocal
agreements
Maintain
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 65
05
05 | AMENDMENTS + REVIEW
PLAN AMENDMENTS
NEED FOR BALANCE
A growth policy must balance consistency with responsiveness to changing needs of the community.
If the policy is not consistent, it will have little value as a planning tool, provide an inadequate basis
for implementation actions, nor have the confidence of the community. If the policy is not responsive,
policies and actions are continued that no longer address community needs, may conflict with changed
laws, and provides less than optimal guidance for future actions.
This Plan was prepared based on information available at this time. The nature of planning for the future
is imprecise. The plan is reviewed every five years to update information. As situations change it may be
necessary to update the plan to accommodate future events.
66 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
State law requires review and consideration of the need for amendments through Section 76-25-202(1).
After a local government adopts a land use plan and future land use map in accordance with 76-25-201,
the land use plan and future land use map must be reviewed every fifth year after adoption to determine
whether an update to the land use plan and future land use map must be performed.
Assumptions regarding population growth, land use, and other subjects are embedded in the Plan.
Significant changes in the rates or the interaction of these items necessitate a review of the Plan;
although, a review may find that no changes are needed. Reviews help ensure that the information upon
which the plan is based remains accurate and timely.
Evaluating the existing land use plan text and maps is an essential part of any review. New inventory
maps should be made available for consideration during the review process if the new map would
display materially changed information. Periodic formal and informal reviews of the implementation
policies as well as the land use plan text and map themselves are desirable.
REVIEW OF AMENDMENTS AND AMENDMENT CRITERIA
AMENDMENT PROCESS
The Bozeman Community Plan was formed on the basis of significant community outreach efforts and
the input of many persons and groups. Alterations, whether the result of a review as described above
or another reason, to the growth policy must provide a significant opportunity for public participation
and understanding of the proposed changes. Amendments to the land use plan must meet the same
statutory standards as the original adoption. Therefore, prior to the adoption of any amendment to the
Plan, a public process must be provided.
A fundamental requirement for public participation is time for individuals to become aware of proposed
amendments and to study the proposed changes. A minimum active public review period of three
months is to be expected.
This Plan has been prepared to balance a wide variety of interests. Changes to the Plan must continue
the balance of needs and interests.
This Plan has been prepared to be internally consistent. Internal consistency meets one of the
fundamental purposes of community planning— coordination between government programs and
policies. All amendments must be carefully evaluated to ensure that changes do not create conflicts
between goals, maps, or implementation tools. If a proposed amendment would cause conflicts within
the Plan, additional amendments must be identified and reviewed so that conflicts are resolved.
WHO MAY INITIATE AMENDMENTS
Section 76-25-201, MCA specifies who may propose an amendment to the land use plan and the process
of analysis required to be followed prior to action on an amendment.
AMENDMENT CRITERIA
When an amendment to either the text of the Plan or the future land use map is requested, it must be
reviewed against the criteria in 76-25-201(8).
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 67
ZONING AMENDMENT REVIEW
Zoning establishes most of the standards and review processes for the use of land. Amendments
to zoning change the rules for future development. Therefore, zoning amendments are reviewed
deliberately and in public. Review must be fair to all, allow for identification and resolution of concerns,
and provide meaningful opportunities for participation. The review process has been changed by the
Montana Land Use Planning Act.
BACKGROUND
Section 76-25-301, et seq., Montana Code Annotated, requires Bozeman to adopt zoning. As each
community uses zoning differently, the authorization identifies certain purposes and processes but
leaves many details to each community. Chapter 38, Unified Development Code, City of Bozeman
municipal code outlines local details and is the primary regulatory implementation of this land use plan.
DEFINITIONS
This section describes how the city considers several key elements that impact how zoning standards
are created and applied. Several of these are also subject to areas of state law outside of the Montana
Land Use Planning Act.
AGRICULTURE
The cultivation or tilling of soil or use of other growing medium for the purpose of producing vegetative
materials for sale or for use in a commercial operation and/ or the raising or tending of animals for
commercial sale or use. Agriculture does not include gardening for personal use, keeping of house
pets or animals as authorized under Chapter 8 of the municipal code, service animals as defined by the
Americans with Disabilities Act, or landscaping for aesthetic purposes.
The following presumptions apply:
1. Property annexed or seeking to be annexed within the depicted urban area shown on the future land
use map will generally not be utilized for agricultural purposes over the long term but may continue
agricultural practices in place at the time of annexation.
2. Urban agriculture may be appropriate within the City in limited areas where physical constraints
make an area undesirable for the construction of buildings, or in support of a commercial business
such as a plant nursery or a common community garden.
3. Urban density development within the City of Bozeman facilitates the preservation of agriculture in
Gallatin County. It provides a location for the development of residential and employment activities
in a compact and efficient manner. This reduces pressure to convert agricultural lands to non-
agricultural uses in the county.
4. Undeveloped lands within the City not constrained by physical features should be developed at
urban densities. This enables infill development and reduces outward expansion of the City.
AGRICULTURAL WATER USER FACILITIES
Agricultural water user facilities are defined as follows: Those facilities, which include but are not limited
to ditches, pipes, and other water- conveying facilities that provide water for irrigation and stock watering
including return flows on agricultural lands defined in 15-7-202, and also subject to Title 70 and Title 85,
MCA. The following presumptions apply:
68 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
1. Agricultural uses are not generally urban uses. The transition of agricultural lands to urban uses
will often remove the need for agricultural water user facilities within the urbanized area. Where a
need for protection due to ongoing use for water conveyance can be demonstrated, provision for
protection of the facility must be made.
2. The formal abandonment and removal of any agricultural water user facilities within the City must
occur in accordance with Montana law. Should the beneficial use cease in the future, an easement
for protection of agricultural water user facilities may be removed in accordance with state law. Water
rights and conveyance facilities are property and holders of the property must be informed and
participate in development review as set forth in Chapter 38, BMC.
3. Agricultural Water User Facilities are subject to Section 70-17-112, and Section 85-7-2211 and 85-7-
2212, MCA.
LOCAL SERVICES
Local Services mean all services provided by local governmental bodies for the benefit of residents. This
includes, but is not limited to, police, fire, water, recreation, streets, parks, libraries, schools, wastewater,
and solid waste collection and disposal. Those criteria to which a specific response and evaluation of
impact must be made are listed within the City regulations.
The following presumptions apply:
1. When the City has assessed needs and the means of addressing those needs, Developers will not be
required to duplicate that work without good cause. If the City has completed a portion of a required
assessment, the developer may be required to submit the remaining portion of the necessary
information.
2. Capacity and capability in local services is limited. All development must equitably participate
in providing adequate services for itself, including replacement of consumed reserve capacity.
Development must meet levels of service and facility design standards established by the City.
3. Response times, physical space within facilities, compliance with applicable issue plans, and general
design of local service facilities within proposed development must be addressed in detail during the
review of development and necessary mitigation is to be provided.
4. Lack of adequate service capacity and capability within local services is grounds for denial of
approval when impacts of proposed development are not mitigated.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
The natural environment is defined as the physical conditions which exist within a given area, including
land, water, mineral, flora, fauna, noise, light, and objects of historic or aesthetic significance.
The following presumptions apply:
1. The natural environment is linked with our economic development, as an attraction to new and
expanding businesses, a tourist destination, and a basic component of Bozeman’s character.
2. Impacts to consider include road locations, stormwater treatment and discharges, potential
contamination of ground or surface water, building placement, and others that may be identified
through subdivision, zoning, data inventories, and other implementation tools.
3. Natural environment related regulations established by state or federal law is to be enforced by state
or federal agencies.
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 69
WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
Wildlife means animals that are neither human, domesticated, nor feral descendants of commonly
domesticated animals. Wildlife habitat means the place or type of habitat where wildlife naturally thrives.
Habitat excludes areas developed for human use including agriculture.
The following presumptions apply:
1. Lands within the urban area are typically utilized for development purposes and will have a minor
impact on wildlife habitat. Watercourse corridors and wetlands are an exception to this presumption.
The designated urban area includes all lands except the No City Services category shown on the
future land use map.
2. The habitat needs of larger and/or predatory wildlife species such as deer, moose, bears, coyotes,
or similar species will not be met within urban density development and will likely be in conflict with
people. Therefore, these types of animals are found to be undesirable within the City boundaries.
3. Smaller species, especially birds, may be compatible within urban density development and should
be preserved, including the encouragement of suitable habitats consistent with other community
priorities.
4. High value wetlands, stream corridors, and similar high value habitats should be preserved in
accordance with the City’s adopted standards. These provide a variety of recreational, environmental
sustainability, and safety values such as flood control as well as habitat.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
Public health and safety means a condition of optimal well-being, free from danger or injury, for a
community at large, as well as for an individual or small groups.
The following presumptions apply:
1. Health is a comprehensive subject and threats to health include chronic as well as acute hazards.
2. Development design should encourage physical activity and a healthy community.
3. The creation of hazards to public health and safety are not acceptable and appropriate mitigation
must be provided.
4. Some level of risk is always present despite efforts to prevent harm. Developments are not solely
responsible for the correction of risks common to all. They should equitably participate in common
solutions to common problems. However, the presence of common risks, such as inadequate public
services, may prevent approval of a development until the hazard has been removed or corrected.
The developer may not accept hazards to public health and safety on behalf of future residents or
owners of a development by declaring that necessary infrastructure improvements or other actions
are unnecessary.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ZONED?
It means the City has adopted standards and procedures for the development and use of property within
the City. Zoning is the primary implementation tool for this land use plan and includes both text and
map. Zoning sets standards to be followed during development. Zoning sets the character of an area
by applying use and development standards to an individual property. Zoning addresses public safety,
public welfare, and compatibility between uses. Chapter 38 of the Bozeman Municipal Code contains
the zoning code. The City applies standards and procedures to individual properties through the zoning
70 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
map. The City will not modify those standards and procedures without public notice and participation.
The City does not represent or commit to anyone that the standards and procedures will not change.
Zoning is adopted under the authority of the Montana Land Use and Planning Act and the City must
periodically update zoning to remain consistent with changes in state law.
HOW IS ZONING APPLIED TO PROPERTY?
The zoning map shows the designation that applies to each property. The zoning map covers the entire
area within City boundaries. The zoning district map assigns a designation to each property in the City.
Once applied, the standards and procedures for each district apply to land designated within each
district until the City amends the map or text of Chapter 38. Since 1935, the City has adopted a change
to the zoning map or text over 650 times including replacing the entire code 19 times. A comprehensive
update is in public review at this time and will complete after adoption of this land use plan.
WHO CAN CHANGE THE ZONING TEXT OR MAP?
Only the City Commission can approve an amendment and only after notifying the public of the possible
change and giving people a chance to participate in review of the change. As a legislative action,
amendments are made through a process called a “map” or a “text” amendment. There is a defined
public process for amendments to occur. See below for a summary of that process. The process to
initiate amendments is established in 76-25-304, MCA and further expanded in 38.770, BMC.
WHAT IS NEEDED TO JUSTIFY A CHANGE IN A ZONING DISTRICT MAP OR TEXT?
A change to the zoning text or map is a legislative action. The City Commission can initiate or
approve amendments when they believe it is needed. In determining whether to begin a City initiated
amendment, the Commission can consider broad legislative factors such as the passage of time,
changes in the needs of the community, outside actions like court decisions or new laws, whether the
existing map or text is reaching the intended outcome, and changes like installation of new infrastructure.
Some examples include the following:
1. Changes to state or federal law that the zoning must address.
2. Court decisions changing the interpretation of meaning of the law that interacts with zoning.
3. Change in circumstances including the current zoning does not comply with the City’s adopted
Community Plan (i.e. its land use plan), policies within the land use plan have changed, land is
annexed, or infrastructure is newly available.
4. An owner(s) requests the change, and the request meets required standards.
Items 1 and 2 are most likely to generate changes in the text; items 3 and 4 are more likely to generate
changes in the zoning map.
The applicant must demonstrate the requested change meets the required criteria and guidelines for an
amendment set in the Montana Land Use Planning Act.
The City’s zoning establishes what responsibilities exist, such as controlling stormwater, and requires
people to meet those responsibilities. Zoning also addresses the balance of interests between adjacent
properties by defining districts where uses will not conflict and providing for transitions and buffers
between zoning districts where the City determines it is necessary to control impacts and prevent the
use of one person’s property right from inappropriately impacting another. When such protections are in
place it is appropriate for the property owner to have an opportunity to ask for changes to zoning. If an
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 71
owner does not show that criteria and guidelines are successfully met the City Commission can choose
not to approve the change. This does not prevent the City from initiating a change on its own.
To provide transparency in decision making, accountability, and public participation the zoning map
or text amendment process requires public notice and hearings. Before any action to approve an
amendment, the Commission must address the criteria, which provide guidance in deciding whether an
amendment is acceptable.
WHEN DOES THE CITY INITIATE ZONING CHANGES TO INCREASE DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES?
The City Commission may initiate an amendment to the zoning map to enable additional development in
a specific area. In examining whether to do so, the Commission may consider many factors including but
not limited to the following:
• The existing zone district does not match the future land use map in Chapter 3.
• Forty percent or more of the existing uses within an area are not principal uses within the zone
district presently in place.
• There is 40% or more available sewer capacity and there is less than 10% vacant land within the
sewer drainage area.
• Proximity to parks that are larger than 1 acre.
• Proximity to employment and services.
• Vacant annexed areas which are 10 acres or larger in size.
• Areas within ¼ mile of MSU (roughly 4 blocks) and not in a National Register Historic District.
• Revising zoning boundaries to better follow preferred boundaries such as streets or watercourses.
• Request of landowners in the area.
• Available capacity in the water plant and water reclamation facilities and permits.
REVIEW CRITERIA FOR ZONING AMENDMENTS AND THEIR APPLICATION
Section 76-25-304 of state law establishes the criteria for the creation and amendment of zoning. Due to
the range of subjects, the applicability of any individual criterion may be of more or less importance. The
City Commission must evaluate whether the applicable criteria are met, not applicable, or if the benefits
of the change offset negative impacts. Below is the state statute that provide the criteria and guidelines
for zoning decisions. The state may amend these criteria.
76-25-304. ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT OF ZONING REGULATIONS.
The state has created the following criteria to identify and where possible to determine impacts of
development that may follow a zoning amendment. This reduces the degree of work required by an
individual application to analyze issues of jurisdiction wide importance. The city relies on adopted
issue plans and similar documentation to consider the jurisdiction wide issues and establish policy. If
an amendment proposes something that has not been considered during issue plan or land use plan
development the applicant may be required to conduct a broader scale analysis.
(1)(c) make a preliminary determination as to whether the zoning regulation and map as proposed
or as amended would be in substantial compliance with the land use plan, including whether the
zoning regulation or map:
72 BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN
(i) accommodates the projected needed housing types identified in 76-25-206;
(ii) contains five or more specific strategies from 76-25-302 to encourage the development of
housing within the jurisdiction;
(iii) reflects allowable uses and densities in areas that may be adequately served by public safety,
emergency, utility, transportation, education, and any other local facilities or services identified by the
local government in 76-25-207;
(iv) allows sufficient area for existing, new, or expanding commercial, industrial, and institutional
enterprises the local government has identified in 76-25-208 for targeted economic growth in the
jurisdiction;
(v) protects and maximizes the potential use of natural resources within the area, as identified in 76-
25-209;
(vi) minimizes or avoids impacts to the natural environment within the area, as identified in 76-25-
209; and
(vii) avoids or minimizes dangers associated with natural hazards in the jurisdiction, as identified in
76-25-209; and
(d) preliminarily determine whether the proposed zoning regulation, map, or amendment results in
new or increased impacts to or from local facilities, services, natural resources, natural environment,
or natural hazards from those previously described and analyzed in the assessment conducted for
the land use plan.
REVIEW
Many agencies review amendments to zoning regulations. Reviews are to be conducted by each agency,
as needed. The purpose of these reviews is to verify compliance with the law and identify concerns
which may require mitigation. These entities may include, but are not limited to the following:
• City staff from many departments
• Private utilities such as power and telecommunications
• Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
• Montana Department of Transportation
• Gallatin County
• Community Development Board
• City Commission
Public notice is required in state law for amendments. The public review process has substantially
changed under the Montana Land Use Planning Act. The review process is laid out in 38.770 of the
Bozeman municipal code. The City Commission completes the process by adoption of an ordinance
containing the amendment.
REVIEW OF SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS FOR COMPLIANCE
Subdivisions set the “bones” for a community by establishing the locations for roads, parks, and lots for
development. How a subdivision is designed and reviewed can impact Bozeman’s residents for many
years to come. Review must be fair to all, allow for identification and resolution of concerns consistent
BOZEMANMT 2025 COMMUNiTY PLAN 73
with adopted standards, and provide opportunities for documentation of compliance with adopted
standards.
BACKGROUND
Local governments in Montana must review proposed subdivisions. Section 76-25-401 et seq. Montana
Code Annotated governs the review of subdivisions. Bozeman is required to establish subdivision review
regulations and state law establishes the minimum requirements for those regulations. The state has
established surveying requirements which must also be followed. Primary establishment of development
standards and mitigation to avoid negative impacts is provided by zoning regulations.
Creation of a subdivision often precedes or accompanies a change in the use of that land. A subdivision
generally remains in perpetuity and continues to influence the location and intensity of land uses within
and adjacent to the subdivision.
Therefore, subdivisions are strongly connected to the planning process and may significantly advance
or hinder public goals. Because of this strong influence, the City has adopted zoning regulation to
implement policy priorities. Subdivisions must demonstrate compliance with the zoning regulations.
Applicants are entitled to approval when the application conforms to adopted standards.
REVIEW PARTICIPANTS
Many agencies review subdivisions. Reviews are to be conducted by each agency, as needed. The
purpose of these reviews is to verify compliance with zoning and other elements of the law and identify
concerns which may require mitigation. These entities may include, but are not limited to the following:
• City staff from many departments
• Private utilities such as power and telecommunications
• Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
• Montana Department of Transportation
• Irrigation companies
• Gallatin County
Public notice within certain bounds is required in state law for subdivisions. The public review process
has substantially changed under the Montana Land Use Planning Act from the previously applicable
Subdivision and Platting Act. Review process is laid out in Division 38.750 of the Bozeman municipal
code. The decision maker for a subdivision is the Director of Community Development or designee.
REVIEW OF ZONING APPLICATIONS FOR COMPLIANCE
If Subdivisions set the “bones” for a community, zoning review fills in the rest. Zoning reviews range
from verification of compliance for a single home on an individual lot up to large residential complexes,
institutional buildings, and commercial facilities.
BACKGROUND
Bozeman must adopt zoning and must review development applications for compliance with that zoning.
Section 76-25-301 et seq. Montana Code Annotated governs the review of subdivisions. Zoning is
the primary tool for identifying and addressing development requirements. Applicants are entitled to
approval when the application conforms to adopted standards.
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REVIEW PARTICIPANTS
For smaller projects, zoning compliance is the responsibility of the Community Development department.
For larger and more complex projects addressing more topics, many agencies review applications.
Reviews are to be conducted by each agency, as needed. The purpose of these reviews is to verify
compliance with zoning and other elements of the law and identify concerns which may require
mitigation. These entities may include, but are not limited to the following:
• City staff from many departments
• Private utilities such as power and telecommunications
• Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
• Montana Department of Transportation
• Irrigation companies
• Gallatin County
Public notice within certain bounds is required in state law for non-ministerial zoning reviews. The public
review process has substantially changed under the Montana Land Use Planning Act. Review process for
different types of zoning applications is laid out in Division 38.740 of the Bozeman municipal code. The
decision maker for a zoning application is the Director of Community Development or their designee.
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