The bill aims to revise zoning laws in Montana by establishing that property use must be favored in cases of ambiguity regarding the interpretation of use or the allowance of nonconforming uses. It amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify that zoning regulations must permit the continuation of nonconforming uses that were legal at the time of the regulation's adoption. Additionally, any uncertainty in the zoning regulations must be interpreted in favor of the nonconforming use. The bill also removes the exception that allowed historic preservation boards to review applications for zoning permits and variances, thereby streamlining the review process.

Key amendments include the requirement that local governments provide grounds for discontinuing nonconforming uses based on changes or abandonment after the adoption of zoning regulations. The bill emphasizes that any ambiguity in zoning regulations regarding whether a use is in violation must be interpreted in favor of the use in question. This legislation is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, reflecting a significant shift in how zoning laws will be interpreted and enforced in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_1(1): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_1(2): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_1(3): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_1(4): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_1(5): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_1(6): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_1: 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(1): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(10): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(2): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(3): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(4): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(5): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(6): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(7): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(8): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2(9): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_2: 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_X(1): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_X(2): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_X(3): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_X(4): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_X(5): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_X(6): 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301
SB0214_X: 76-2-105, 76-2-113, 76-2-208, 76-2-210, 76-2-302, 76-2-308, 76-25-301