---
title: What are Montana Land Use Statutes?
description: This section outlines the specific statutory authorities granted to Montana municipalities for land use regulation, including growth policies, zoning, subdivision rules, floodplain management, impact fees, and urban renewal. Grounded in the broad concept of public welfare, these tools support comprehensive and lawful community planning.
---

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November 5, 2025

# What are Montana Land Use Statutes?

## Statutory Frameworks for Land Use Planning: Municipal Authority Under Montana Law

Montana law specifically provides municipalities with the authority to adopt a specific statutory framework for a variety of land use and planning regulations:  
• Growth policies 76-1‐601, et seq., MCA,  
• Zoning ordinances for municipal zoning Title 76-2-Part 3  
• Subdivision regulations Title 76, chapter 3 “The concept of the public welfare is broad and inclusive… the values it represents are spiritual as well as physical, aesthetic as well as monetary. It is within the power of the legislature to determine that the community should be beautiful as well as healthy, spacious as well as clean, well balanced as well as carefully patrolled” (Berman v. Parker, 348 U.S. 26, 32-33 (1954)). Montana Municipal Officials Handbook  
181\.  
• Floodplain regulations 76-5-301, MCA  
• Buildings for lease or rent regulations 76-8-101, etseq., MCA  
• Impact fees 7‐6-1601, et seq., MCA  
• Annexation policies and plans 7-2 Parts 42-48,MCA  
• Urban renewal plans 7-15 Part 42, MCA

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Resources prepared by the MSU Extension Local Government Center are intended for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. For interpretation or application of the law, please consult qualified legal counsel. The Montana State University Extension Service is an ADA/EO/AA/Veteran’s Preference Employer and Provider of Educational Outreach.

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