Richardson Family Transfer Exemption

Project Description:

Lorna Richardson is requesting to use the family transfer exemption from subdivision review to divide her existing 45.8-acre property at 4328 Mount Ave. into two parcels (Parcel C1: 22.935 acres; Parcel C2: 22.875 acres). Lorna plans to gift C1 to her daughter, Lisa Ann Edwards, and keep C2 as her primary 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 doesn’t 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: 2 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27

• 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:

Katy Reeder, 406-258-3707

Public Comment:

Submit public comment by using the comment tool below.

Important Links and Documents:

Richardson Family Transfer application