Zoning

Zoning Information

Development Services provides information regarding zoning and reviews development projects for zoning compliance. For any questions regarding zoning please call 406-552-6625 or send an email.

  • To find out what zoning district you are in, visit our What's My Zoning page.
  • To view the current zoning map for the city of Missoula, visit our Planning Maps page.
  • To access an online copy of the current Title 20 zoning code or any other land use regulations, visit our Documents page.
  • To access current forms and applications, visit our Forms and Applications page.

Zoning Compliance Permits

Zoning compliance permits are generally required for development and building activities that do not require a building permit. Otherwise, activities that do require building permits typically require zoning compliance approval as part of their overall review. Zoning compliance permits are used to determine compliance with all applicable provisions of our current Title 20 zoning regulations.

Sign Permits

Signs in the City of Missoula require sign permits. Property owners are responsible for proper permitting, installation, and maintenance of all signs on their property. For questions about sign permits (PDF), please call 406-552-6625 or send an email.

For more information on signs in the City of Missoula, visit our FAQ page.

Zoning Amendments (Rezoning)

The City of Missoula keeps a geographic information system (GIS) layer that tracks the location and boundaries of established zoning districts which constitutes the official zoning map. Amendments to zoning district boundaries may be initiated by property owners through petitions signed by the owners of at least 35% of the area of the parcels included within the area proposed to be rezoned, or by owners of at least 35% of the number of parcels included within the area to be rezoned.

Any changes to the zoning map, or rezonings, require a public review and approval process. For more information or to schedule a pre-application meeting, call the Zoning Information desk or submit an intake form via email.

Conditional Uses

Some zoning districts require that certain uses, because of their widely varying design and operational characteristics, must have a case-by-case review in order to determine whether they will be compatible with surrounding neighborhoods and development patterns. These cases are required to go through a public review and approval process, which may bring with it specific conditions that can be applied to individual applications.

For more information or to schedule a pre-application meeting, call the Zoning Information desk or submit an intake form via email.

Administrative Adjustments

The Development Services Zoning Office is enabled to approve applications for minor modifications of selected zoning ordinance standards. Contact Zoning Information to learn more about which administrative adjustments are authorized, or to begin the administrative adjustment process.

Variances, Special Exceptions and Appeals of Administrative Decisions

The Board of Adjustment is charged with making decisions on the following requests:

  • Variances from Title 20 standards
  • Special Exceptions
  • Appeals of Zoning Administrative Decisions
  • Public Forums

Contact Zoning Information for application procedures.

Design Review

The Design Review Board is charged with making decisions on the following requests:

  • Special Signs
  • Design Review
    • Multi-dwelling Standards
    • Landscaping Standards
    • Expansion of Nonconforming Structures

Contact Zoning Information for application procedures.