Ramsbacher Family Transfer Exemption

Project Description

Ron and Valerie Ramsbacher are requesting to use the family transfer exemption from subdivision review to divide an existing 24.54-acre property at 3101 Evan’s Ridge Road into two tracts.

The existing single-family residence and accessory structures would remain on the parent tract, while the remaining 6-acre tract would be gifted to their son for a future single-family residence.

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: public hearing date has not been set yet

• 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 Lead

Jennie Dixon, 406-258-4946

Public Comment

Submit public comment by using the comment tool below.

Important Links and Documents

Ramsbacher Family Transfer application