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Committee hears bill to treat manufactured and factory-built homes like other residential housing
Summary
Senate Bill 252 would clarify that manufactured homes and factory-built homes cannot be treated differently from stick-built homes for residential zoning and would expand allowable use on state trust lands. Industry groups, tribes and municipal groups supported the change as a tool to expand attainable housing options; no formal vote was taken.
Senators and representatives considered Senate Bill 252, which would clarify that manufactured homes and factory-built homes are residential uses that counties and municipalities may not treat differently from stick-built single-family homes in zoning and land-use decisions. The bill would also allow certain manufactured or factory-built housing products on state trust land leases where appropriate.
Supporters included manufactured-housing dealers and manufacturers, municipal officials, tribal representatives and housing advocates. Stewart Doggett, representing the Montana Manufactured Housing and RV Dealers Association, and Jake Brown of Shelter Whitefish said the bill removes local barriers that can keep factory-built and manufactured homes out of residential neighborhoods. Proponents emphasized speed and cost advantages of factory-built housing and noted that factory-built homes can be less expensive per square foot than site-built housing.
Alyssa Snow, testifying for several tribes, said manufactured and factory-built homes are often the only affordable route to homeownership for many Native households and urged the committee to support the bill as a way to expand attainable options.
Municipal representatives, including the Montana League of Cities and Towns and the Montana Association of Planners, supported the bill as clarifying existing case law that prohibits differential treatment of different construction methods for residential uses.
DNRC (Department of Natural Resources and Conservation) staff testified that the department already has authority to lease trust lands for development and that the bill would not conflict with the department’s trust mandate; DNRC said the change would not require policy or authority changes but could enable more residential uses on trust lands where appropriate.
Witnesses discussed the 1976 HUD code distinction for manufactured homes and sought clarity about how the bill would treat factory-assembled structures and inspection requirements; bill proponents and municipal planners said they would work with the sponsor to ensure definitions and references to the state inspection statute (Title 50) were clear.
Committee members did not take a final vote. Supporters said the bill is one of several tools — including funding, low-interest loans and land-use policy changes — the legislature is using to expand housing options.
