Politics
Billings City Council Adopts MLUPA Regulations to Update Zoning and Subdivision Plans
The changes require updates to local zoning rules effective July 1, 2026, and address a documented shortfall of 10,000 housing units in the city.
How we reported this
Billings City Council is adopting new state-mandated regulations under the Montana Land Use Planning Act. The rules apply to cities over 5,000 residents and require updates to zoning and subdivision plans, with the changes effective July 1, 2026.
Current Housing Shortfall Figures
The city's 2045 land use plan identifies a current deficit of 10,000 housing units. It projects a need for 16,200 units by 2045, which would require construction of 26,200 units over the next 20 years. Billings also faces a deficit of over 4,700 units for households earning less than 30 percent of Area Median Income, with more than 5,500 households on public housing waiting lists.
These numbers connect directly to daily decisions for residents seeking stable housing near jobs, schools, and services in Billings neighborhoods. The plan outlines how additional units could support local workforce needs without specifying new construction locations beyond already approved projects.
Zoning Amendments and Approved Projects
New zoning amendments allow duplexes as a permitted use in single-family neighborhoods under N3 zoning. They also raise maximum building coverage from 40 percent to 60 percent. Recent approved developments include a 360-unit West End subdivision with single-family homes and rentals, plus a project for 35 workforce housing units off King Avenue East funded by the Montana Community Reinvestment Plan.
City planning documents indicate these adjustments are intended to increase density within existing neighborhoods. Residents may see changes in permitted building types on individual lots as subdivision plans are revised to meet the July 1, 2026, deadline. The council is proceeding with required plan updates based on the state legislation.
Further steps involve continued review of subdivision applications under the revised rules. Local implementation will depend on how individual projects align with the updated zoning standards and the 2045 land use plan targets.