Development Projects

Sharon Bowman is requesting to use the family transfer exemption from subdivision review to divide their 7-acre property at 15098 Bud Lake Drive in Frenchtown into two tracts (Lot A1: 4.12 acres; Lot A2: 2.88 acres). Bowman plans to gift Lot A2 to her son Joshua and keep Lot A1 as their primary residence.

Subdivision Regulations and Exemptions:

Missoula County’s subdivision regulations promote public health, safety and general welfare by ensuring any subdivision of land in the County’s jurisdiction provides for adequate light, air, water supply, sewage disposal, parks and recreation areas, ingress and egress and other public requirements. Many requests to divide land must go through the subdivision process to ensure these requirements are met, but certain types of land division are exempt from subdivision review. Landowners can apply for one or multiple subdivision exemptions when their development plans meet the state and local requirements for the applicable exemptions.

Being granted these exemptions means the property owner does not need to go through the standard subdivision review process to divide their property. These requests require administrative review by planning staff and, in some cases, may require approval by the county commissioners to ensure the applicant is not evading these regulations.

• Family Transfer Exemption
  Landowners can request a family transfer exemption when they intend to divide their property to gift or sell the newly created parcel(s) to an immediate family member.

View subdivision exemption criteria.

What is a family transfer?

Montana law specifically allows landowners to divide land and gift or sell one parcel per immediate family member (like a child, parent or spouse), without full subdivision review.

Requests for family transfers must always come before the commissioners. Missoula County considers dozens of family land transfers every year. It’s not rare — other counties across Montana regularly process these applications too. It’s not a loophole — it’s in the law for a reason: to help families live near each other or pass down land. It’s does not skirt regulations — the process requires surveys, documentation, fees and approval by county commissioners.

The landowner and recipient must be real people, not LLCs or corporations. It can only be used once per family member per county.

Project Timeline:

County commissioners hearing: Thursday, April 30, 2 p.m.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings

Public Comment:

Submit public comment by Wednesday, April 29 by using the comment tool below. Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project Lead:

Jennie Dixon, 406-258-4946

Important Links and Documents:

Bowman Family Transfer Application

Planning, Development and Sustainability webpage

Project Description:

Cody Gordon is requesting to use a special exception to construct a second single-family dwelling for their property at 3900 South Ave. W. in the Target Range area of Missoula County.

The property is currently zoned Rural Residential, Small Agriculture (RRS.5), which allows rural residential development along with the preservation of natural landscape and small-scale agriculture land uses. Only one residential unit is allowed per lot in this district.

Special Exception Information

The Board of Adjustment is authorized to grant special exception permits authorizing a use established as eligible in this district, but this requires a special degree of consideration and control to ensure such uses are consistent and compatible with the overall community character. To approve a special exception, the board must determine:

1. The proposed use or development will be compatible with and will not substantially injure the value of adjoining property.
2. The proposed use preserves the character of the district, and the property is suitable for the use proposed.
3. The proposed use promotes the purpose and intent of the TIF Special District, where applicable. (Not applicable for this project, as the property is not located within a TIF District.)
4. Substitute or additional design standards will preserve and protect the area’s architectural and aesthetic qualities.

In reviewing a special exception application, the board shall give due consideration to the following factors in determining if the use is appropriate:

1. Access, traffic and parking demand created by or impacted by the use, and pedestrian, bicycle and onsite vehicular circulation.
2. Dedication and development of streets, right-of-way, and public use areas, such as sidewalks adjoining the property and the capacity to handle the use.
3. Impacts on or of public and private utilities or services.
4. Proposed location of any new structures necessary to accommodate the use and their relationship to adjoining and surrounding properties.
5. Recreation opportunities and open lands available to serve the use.
6. Natural resource protections.
7. Landscaping and screening requirements.
8. Signage and sign lighting, as applicable.
9. Noise, vibration, outdoor lighting and other on- and off-site impacts resulting from the use.
10. Frequency of use and hours of operation.
11. Area of land necessary and adequacy of the site to accommodate the use and meet the intent of the district and character of the neighborhood.
12. Any other unique or relevant circumstances related to the property.

Project Timeline

Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board meeting: 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 115 075 404#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/mcclubmeetings.

Public Comment

Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project Lead

Kevin Dantic, 406-258-4652

Important Links and Documents

Special Exception Application

Proposed Conditions

Planning, Development and Sustainability webpage

Project Description

Melody Bryan is requesting to use a special exception to construct a second single-family dwelling for her property at 1716 Clements Road in the Target Range area of Missoula.

The property is currently zoned Rural Residential, Small Agriculture (RRS.5), which allows rural residential development along with the preservation of natural landscape and small-scale agriculture land uses. Only one residential unit is allowed per lot in this district.

Special Exception Information

The Board of Adjustment is authorized to grant special exception permits authorizing a use established as eligible in this district, but this requires a special degree of consideration and control to ensure such uses are consistent and compatible with the overall community character. To approve a special exception, the board must determine:

1. The proposed use or development will be compatible with and will not substantially injure the value of adjoining property.
2. The proposed use preserves the character of the district, and the property is suitable for the use proposed.
3. The proposed use promotes the purpose and intent of the TIF Special District, where applicable. (Not applicable for this project, as the property is not located within a TIF District.)
4. Substitute or additional design standards will preserve and protect the area’s architectural and aesthetic qualities.

In reviewing a special exception application, the board shall give due consideration to the following factors in determining if the use is appropriate:

1. Access, traffic and parking demand created by or impacted by the use, and pedestrian, bicycle and onsite vehicular circulation.
2. Dedication and development of streets, right-of-way, and public use areas, such as sidewalks adjoining the property and the capacity to handle the use.
3. Impacts on or of public and private utilities or services.
4. Proposed location of any new structures necessary to accommodate the use and their relationship to adjoining and surrounding properties.
5. Recreation opportunities and open lands available to serve the use.
6. Natural resource protections.
7. Landscaping and screening requirements.
8. Signage and sign lighting, as applicable.
9. Noise, vibration, outdoor lighting and other on- and off-site impacts resulting from the use.
10. Frequency of use and hours of operation.
11. Area of land necessary and adequacy of the site to accommodate the use and meet the intent of the district and character of the neighborhood.
12. Any other unique or relevant circumstances related to the property.

Project Timeline

Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board meeting: 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 115 075 404#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/mcclubmeetings.

Public Comment

Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project Lead

Kevin Dantic, 406-258-4652

Important Links and Documents:

Special Exception Application

Proposed Conditions

Planning, Development and Sustainability webpage

Project Description

Sebastian Guilhemotonia is requesting to use the family transfer exemption from subdivision review to divide their 1-acre property, located at 7580 Arroyo Lane off Mullan Road, into two tracts (Lot 11A: .4-acres; Lot 11B: 0.6-acres). Sebastian intends to gift Lot 11A to his father, Phillipe Guilhemotonia, and keep Lot 11B as his primary residence.

Subdivision Regulations and Exemptions

Missoula County’s subdivision regulations promote public health, safety and general welfare by ensuring any subdivision of land in the County’s jurisdiction provides for adequate light, air, water supply, sewage disposal, parks and recreation areas, ingress and egress and other public requirements. Many requests to divide land must go through the subdivision process to ensure these requirements are met, but certain types of land division are exempt from subdivision review. Landowners can apply for one or multiple subdivision exemptions when their development plans meet the state and local requirements for the applicable exemptions.

Being granted these exemptions means the property owner does not need to go through the standard subdivision review process to divide their property. These requests require administrative review by planning staff and, in some cases, may require approval by the county commissioners to ensure the applicant is not evading these regulations.

• Family Transfer Exemption
  Landowners can request a family transfer exemption when they intend to divide their property to gift or sell the newly created parcel(s) to an immediate family member.

View subdivision exemption criteria.

What is a family transfer?

Montana law specifically allows landowners to divide land and gift or sell one parcel per immediate family member (like a child, parent or spouse), without full subdivision review.

Requests for family transfers must always come before the commissioners. Missoula County considers dozens of family land transfers every year. It’s not rare — other counties across Montana regularly process these applications too. It’s not a loophole — it’s in the law for a reason: to help families live near each other or pass down land. It does not skirt regulations — the process requires surveys, documentation, fees and approval by county commissioners.

The landowner and recipient must be real people, not LLCs or corporations. It can only be used once per family member per county.

Project Timeline

County commissioners hearing: Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings

Public Comment

Submit public comment by Wednesday, May 27, by using the comment tool below. Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project Lead

Katy Reeder, 406-258-3707

Important Links and Documents

Guilhemotonia Family Transfer Application

Planning, Development and Sustainability webpage

The Ranch Club Subdivision phasing plan extension was granted a continuance until the May 28 public hearing meeting, at which point commissioners will make a motion to approve or deny the request. Residents are welcome to attend the May 28 public hearing meeting.

County commissioners’ public hearing meeting : Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings

Project Description:

Ranch Club Investments LLC, represented by Genesis Engineering Inc., is requesting a Phasing Plan Extension of the Ranch Club Subdivision Phases 10 and 11. This subdivision was originally approved in 2003, as a phased subdivision with 323 lots, formerly known as Phantom Hills Estates.

The applicant requests the following:

• 2-year extension of the Phase 10 filing deadline to Dec. 31, 2027
• 3-year extension of the Phase 11 filing deadline to Dec. 31, 2029

These are the two remaining phases of the Ranch Club development and will consist of 52 single-family lots, 41 townhome lots and 5.55 acres of dedicated parkland.

Missoula County Subdivision Regulations Phasing Plan Extension

Missoula County Subdivision Regulations (MCSR) Section 5.8.18.4 allows extension of at least one but no more than three years from the date of the request, which applies to the entire subdivision. Final plats for all phases of a subdivision approved on or after May 8, 2017, must be submitted to review and approved, conditionally approved or denied within 20 years of the date or preliminary plat approval (MCSR) Section 5.8.18.5.B.

Project Timeline:

County commissioners’ public hearing meeting: 2 p.m. Thursday, March 26

• In-person location: 200 W. Broadway, Missoula County Courthouse, Sophie Moiese Room
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published on the Missoula County’s public meeting portal.

County commissioners’ public hearing meeting : Thursday, May 28, 2 p.m.

• In-person location: Sophie Moiese Room, Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, Missoula
• Virtual option: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the call on your phone, call 406-272-4824, Conference ID 467 457 758#. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published at http://missoula.co/bccmeetings

Public Comment:

Submit public comment by Wednesday, May 27 by using the comment tool below. Let us know what you think by logging in or creating an account and submitting your comment below.

Project Lead:

Kevin Dantic, 406-258-4652

Important Links and Documents:

Ranch Club Phasing Plat Extension

Phases 10 & 11 Map

Ranch Club Aerial

Planning, Development and Sustainability

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability Department (PDS) has received a Floodplain Development Permit #26-12 from Grant Creek Crossing – Missoula LLC for reconstruction of Schramm Street in the Grant Creek regulated flood hazard area.

The site is located at the Schramm Street crossing over Grant Creek, about 725 feet of Reserve Street: Tract 3A-1B COS 7031, S05, T13N, R19W in Missoula County.

What is a floodplain development permit?

The primary purpose of a floodplain development permit is to promote public health, safety and general welfare, to minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards, and to promote wise use of the floodplain.

Public Comment

Submit public comment by 5 p.m., Monday, April 6, through the following three ways.

1. Use the comment tool below. You must be registered on Missoula County Voice
2. Email floodplain@missoulacounty.us
3. Mail to Planning, Development and Sustainability
   • Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802

Questions or want to make an appointment?

Please feel free to call 406-258-4647 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Important Documents and Links

Cover Letter

Floodplain Permit Application

Revised Map

Engineer Certification

Floodplain and Shoreline Administration Webpage

Physical applications are available in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2, in downtown Missoula

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the county commissioners.

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development & Sustainability Department (PDS) has received a Floodplain Development Permit Application #26-14 from William Gaddy for repairs to a residential structure in the FEMA-designated Clark Fork River Floodway.

The site is located at 10515 Rustic Road: Parcel B, COS 1406, S34, T13N, R18W, Missoula County.

What is a floodplain development permit?

The primary purpose of the floodplain development permit is to promote public health, safety and general welfare; minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards; and promote wise use of the floodplain.

Public Comment

Submit public comment by 5 p.m., Monday, May 11, through the following three methods.

1. Use the comment tool below. You must be registered on Missoula County Voice
2. Email floodplain@missoulacounty.us(External link)
3. Mail to Planning, Development, & Sustainability
   • Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802

Questions or want to make an appointment?

Residents can call 406-258-4647 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Important Documents and Links

Floodplain Permit Application

Construction Cost Estimates

Construction Plans

Department of Revenue Property Assessment

Floodplain and Shoreline Administration Webpage

Physical applications are available in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2 in downtown Missoula

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the county commissioners.

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability Department (PDS) has received a Floodplain Development Permit Application #26-08 from Amee Tafoya for reconstruction of a cabin in the Clearwater River regulated flood hazard area.

The site is located at 975 Leaning Pine Drive on state-leased land: Parcel: 13, COS 4875, S)4, T16N, R15W in Missoula County.

What is a floodplain permit?

The primary purpose of a Floodplain Development Permit is to promote public health, safety, and general welfare, to minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards, and to promote wise use of the floodplain.

Public Comment

Submit public comment by 5 p.m., Monday, April 6, through the following three ways.

1. Use the comment tool below. You must be registered on Missoula County Voice
2. Email floodplain@missoulacounty.us
3. Mail to Planning, Development and Sustainability
   • Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802

Questions or want to make an appointment?

Please feel free to call 406-258-4647 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Important Documents and Links

Floodplain Permit Application and Value Estimates – 8.28.25

Floodplain Permit Application and Values Estimates – 9.18.25

Construction Plans

Modified DeAcetis Cabin

Floodplain and Shoreline Administration Webpage

Physical applications are available in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2 in downtown Missoula

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the county commissioners.

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development & Sustainability Department (PDS) has received a Floodplain Development Permit Application #26-05 from George Neumunz for construction of a stream crossing in the Sixmile Creek regulated flood hazard area.

The site is located on the west side of the Sixmile Road: Lot 21 of Six Mile Timber Tracts #2, S23, T15N, R22W, Missoula County.

What is a floodplain development permit?

The primary purpose of the floodplain development permit is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, to minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards, and to promote wise use of the floodplain.

Public Comment:

Submit public comment by 5 p.m., Monday, April 6 through the following three ways.

1. Use the comment tool below. You must be registered on Missoula County Voice
2. Email floodplain@missoulacounty.us
3. Mail to Planning, Development, & Sustainability
   • Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula, MT 59802

Questions or want to make an appointment?

Please feel free to call 406-258-4647 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Important Documents and Links:

Floodplain Permit Application

Supplemental and Revised Packet

Discussion and Review

Floodplain and Shoreline Administration Webpage

Physical applications are available in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2 in downtown Missoula

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the county commissioners.

Project Description

The Missoula County Planning, Development, & Sustainability Department (PDS) has received Floodplain Development Permit Application #26-03 from Gregory Axtman for electrical utility work.

The primary purpose of a Floodplain Development Permit is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, to minimize flood losses in areas subject to flood hazards, and to promote wise use of the floodplain.

Project Location

The site is located at 1744 Snowmass Drive in the Clearwater River regulated flood hazard area: Parcel 15 of COS 5140, Section 04, Township 16 North, Range 15 West, Missoula County. See location here.

The full application is available for review online or in the PDS office at 127 E. Main St., Suite 2, in Missoula.

Please feel free to call 406-258-4657 or email floodplain@missoulacounty.us with any questions or to make an appointment to review the permit application.

Public Comment

Submit comments by 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, by using the comments tools below, by emailing floodplain@missoulacounty.us or mailing to Planning, Development, & Sustainability, Attn: Matt Heimel, Floodplain Administrator, 200 W. Broadway St., Missoula MT 59802.

Related Documents and Links

Floodplain Permit Application

Application Signatures

Site Map

This permit is subject to approval by the floodplain administrator and does not go before the Board of County Commissioners.