Senate Bill 121 revises the Montana Land Use Planning Act to enhance local government authority in development applications and improve public engagement in the planning process. Key provisions include the retention of extraterritorial zoning authority by cities, the introduction of additional public comment opportunities, and a requirement for public hearings before planning commissions hear appeals. The bill also clarifies definitions related to agency actions and development applications, ensuring local governments can effectively manage land use. Notably, it mandates public hearings for appeals at both the planning commission and governing body levels, along with specified notice requirements for these appeals.

The bill streamlines the land division review process and clarifies requirements for stormwater drainage and municipal facilities. It allows cities to extend zoning and subdivision regulations beyond their limits, with authority terminating upon the adoption of county regulations. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of public participation by requiring local governments to provide continuous opportunities for public input during the adoption or amendment of land use plans. It also clarifies that no person may challenge a land use decision in district court until they have exhausted administrative appeal options. The act is set to take effect upon passage and approval, with certain sections terminating on June 30, 2027.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_1(1): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_1(2): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_1(3): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_1(4): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_1(5): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_1(6): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_1(7): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_1: 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(1): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(10): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(11): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(12): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(13): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(2): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(3): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(4): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(5): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(6): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(7): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(8): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2(9): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_2: 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_3(1): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_3(2): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_3(3): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_3(4): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_3: 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-104, 76-25-301, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(1): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(10): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(2): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(3): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(4): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(5): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(6): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(7): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(8): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X(9): 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503
SB0121_X: 2-3-102, 2-3-104, 7-2-4734, 76-2-310, 76-4-125, 76-4-127, 76-25-103, 76-25-104, 76-25-106, 76-25-301, 76-25-305, 76-25-408, 76-25-410, 76-25-503