Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise laws related to home-based businesses in Montana by allowing their operation and prohibiting local governments from banning them. The bill introduces new legal language that prevents municipalities from requiring permits or licenses for "no-impact home-based businesses," which are defined as businesses that do not exceed certain thresholds for onsite employees and clients, do not generate significant traffic, and are not visible from the street. Additionally, municipalities can establish reasonable regulations to ensure public health and safety, but these regulations must be narrowly tailored and cannot impede the operation of such businesses.

The bill also amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), including 7-1-111, 7-21-4204, 76-2-304, and 76-2-309. Notably, it specifies that the use of a residential dwelling for a home-based business is a permitted use, provided it does not conflict with existing deed restrictions or community agreements. Furthermore, it prohibits municipalities from requiring rezoning for home-based businesses or imposing excessive safety requirements, such as fire sprinklers in certain residential settings. Overall, the bill seeks to create a more favorable environment for home-based businesses while ensuring that local regulations remain reasonable and focused on public safety.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-1-111, 7-21-4204, 76-2-304, 76-2-309
SB0418_1(1): 7-1-111, 7-21-4204, 76-2-304, 76-2-309
SB0418_1(2): 7-1-111, 7-21-4204, 76-2-304, 76-2-309
SB0418_1: 7-1-111, 7-21-4204, 76-2-304, 76-2-309