The bill revises zoning laws in Montana to favor the use of property in cases where there is ambiguity regarding the interpretation of land use or the allowance of nonconforming uses. It mandates that zoning regulations must permit the continuation of nonconforming uses that were legal at the time of the regulation's adoption, while allowing local governments to set conditions for discontinuing such uses based on changes or abandonment. Additionally, any uncertainties in zoning regulations must be interpreted in favor of the nonconforming use or the use in question.

Furthermore, the bill removes the exception that allowed historic preservation boards to review applications for zoning permits and variances, thereby streamlining the review process. It amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to incorporate these changes, ensuring that local governments have clear guidelines for enforcing zoning regulations while protecting existing land uses. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

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