Missoula Council adopts Missoula 2045 amendments and new Unified Development Code after lengthy debate

Missoula City Council voted unanimously Feb. 2 to adopt amendments to the Missoula 2045 land use plan and to establish a new Unified Development Code that replaces Title 20 and updates the city’s zoning map. The council passed the land use plan amendments, the UDC ordinance and the new zoning map in separate roll-call votes after more than five hours of public comment and deliberation.

Mayor Davis opened the hearing and staff summarized the multi-year process and public outreach that produced the adoption draft. Ben Brewer, a city staff member, said the materials and consolidated amendment documents are available on eScribe and that staff recommended two technical cleanups and a zoning map correction among the final amendments. Erin Cahan (CPDI) presented technical details and recommended limited text and map changes to clarify permit timing and map designations.

The council heard extensive public testimony both for and against the package. Supporters—including Common Good Missoula and housing advocates—urged adoption as a tool to expand housing supply, improve walkability and advance climate and equity priorities. Others raised concerns about design standards, neighborhood impacts and the pace of recent amendments.

Key procedural clarifications were made on the record: staff told the council that applications under the new UDC may be submitted before the code’s effective date but permits cannot be approved until the effective date; and that staff will provide education and outreach during the transition period. "Applications under the UDC may be submitted after adoption of the UDC. The permits can't be approved until after the effective date of the UDC, but it allows applications to be reviewed ahead of the effective date," staff stated.

Council members emphasized that adoption is the beginning of a multi-stage implementation. Multiple councilors said Phase 2 would address items that need refinement, including design standards and sign code language, and that staff would return with concrete work plans and public education materials.

The UDC and associated maps come into effect 30 days after adoption, per staff explanation. During that transition, projects deemed complete before the effective date will be reviewed under the prior code; projects submitted after will be reviewed under the new code or may choose the prior rules in certain transition cases.

The council emphasized monitoring outcomes and using Phase 2 to fix unintended consequences identified during implementation. The vote completes a multi-year effort to align Missoula’s land-use regulations with the Missoula 2045 plan and the city’s stated goals for housing, climate and equity.

The council will convene Phase 2 work in the months ahead to address high-priority items raised during adoption, including clarifications on signage, frontage and design excellence standards that were restored or revised during the amendment process.