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Commissioners approve first reading of updated land‑use fee schedule after 2018 fee freeze
Summary
The Madison County board approved the first reading of Ordinance 2-02/2025 to adopt a new Land Resources and Use fee schedule; planners said the update matches staff time and statutory limits and charges applicants for services not previously billed.
Madison County commissioners approved the first reading Tuesday of Ordinance 2‑02/2025, which adopts a new Land Resources and Use fee schedule and replaces prior fee schedules adopted under earlier ordinances.
Planning staff told the board the county had not updated land‑use and subdivision fees since 2018 and that the new schedule tracks actual processing times, statutory limitations, and newly required review tasks. The ordinance text cited Montana Code Annotated section 76‑3‑602 (as read at the hearing) to confirm county authority to set reasonable subdivision review fees.
Staff said the updated schedule assigns fees to specific processes the county previously did not charge for, including certain appeals, floodplain permit variances, administrative reviews, environmental assessment reviews and mapping projects. The goal, planning staff said, is to move toward fee‑for‑service for non‑mandatory tasks so general tax funds are not subsidizing optional requests.
After a short public hearing with no comments, the board voted unanimously to approve the ordinance’s first reading. The ordinance will return for second reading and final adoption at a subsequent meeting.
