Planning commission recommends allowing 2-foot eave encroachments into residential setbacks

On Sept. 9, 2025, the Kalispell City Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend that the City Council adopt File KZTA-25-01, a zoning text amendment that would allow eaves to extend up to 2 feet into required setback areas in R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 residential zones.

The change would add an exception in the city’s setback definition and add a cross-reference in the property development standards table so that eave encroachments up to 2 feet are permitted where specified. PJ, city planning staff, presented the proposal and recommended adoption. "Staff would recommend that the Kalispell Planning Commission adopt staff report KZTA-25-01 as findings of fact and recommend to the City Council that the proposed zoning text amendment be adopted as presented," PJ told commissioners.

Why it matters

Supporters said the amendment is a modest technical change that can produce livable design benefits without increasing lot sizes. Peter Hagen, representing Hayden Homes, the applicant, said the update "aligns our local code with the international building and fire code and with the standards used by many of the surrounding communities" and argued it "supports better home design without having to increase the lot sizes." Hagen added:…