The new zoning is now in effect
It’s an exciting time for the future of a more affordable, livable Missoula!
At Front Step, we’ve hired a new Policy and Advocacy Manager. Dylan Wells brings a background in law, justice, and community organizing, and ProHousing Missoula work will be a big part of his role.
We’re in planning mode for the next phase of ProHousing Missoula - let us know if you’d like to grab coffee with Dylan and get involved. Get in touch: dylan@frontstepclt.org
The new Unified Development Code is now in effect.
Now through July 2, the city is in a transitional period for developers to start adopting the new code requirements. Building permits, zoning compliance, and design excellence applications all now fall under the new code.
Our ProHousing advocates took some time to read through the published code and share top takeaways.
New insights on the Unified Development Code
Many more homes and housing types are legal to build citywide.
It is now possible to build small apartments and townhouses in many neighborhoods where only 2 units per lot were allowed before.
This helps ensure that all neighborhoods address the housing shortage.
This creates a direct path to greatly improved affordability. Studies show that accelerating infill construction eases competition for existing housing, and this has the greatest benefit for the most affordable units.
New zoning controls the size and scale of buildings, rather than the number of units that can be built.
Old zoning restricted the number of units that could be built per lot.
New rules instead restrict the maximum height and floor area of new construction using a Floor Area Ratio calculation.
This allows builders the freedom to more efficiently use the space in any given lot.
The new code eliminates parking mandates.
Requiring arbitrary amounts of parking with new housing and businesses drives up housing costs.
Removing mandates allows builders to choose how much parking makes sense for a new home or business.
The new code allows small commercial spaces in all neighborhoods.
Our old zoning code harshly restricted small neighborhood businesses like corner markets and cafes. Now these are permitted.
These sorts of businesses — think Grizzly Grocery or Rattlesnake Gardens — were very hard to build.
When small businesses are allowed in neighborhoods, people don’t have to go as far to access them, which means better walkability, less traffic, and fewer emissions in our valley.
The new code is a step toward “focusing inward.”
Missoula has previously set a goal of focusing new development on existing city land, rather than sprawl into our mountains and open space.
Studies show that less land use change occurs when urban housing policies are more permissive. This means that wildlands, recreation, and agriculture are better preserved, and fire risk is reduced.
The new code helps to meet Missoula’s mobility goals.
When housing options are few and far between, people often must choose to live — and drive — far to reach work, friends, and recreation. Greater housing availability gives people the opportunity to live in their preferred neighborhood with shorter commutes and more transportation choices.
Thank you to ProHousing advocate Adam Cook for taking the time to read through the code and provide insights!
We’re excited to follow the implementation of the new code, and we encourage folks to reach out and let us know how these changes affect them, especially if you’re a homeowner or local builder!