Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB)

Project Background:

With the adoption of a new unified development code, the City of Missoula will shift to a municipal zoning commission. As a result, a City-County consolidated planning board will no longer be needed, and the Missoula Consolidated Planning Board will disband once it completes review of all city and county projects in its pipeline, which will likely be in January or February 2026.

However, Missoula County still needs a board that can review land use plans, subdivisions and zoning requests. The County is proposing to create a single board that can provide recommendations and make decisions on land use planning and development in the unincorporated area of Missoula County. This includes everything outside Missoula city limits, including East Missoula, Bonner, West Riverside, Milltown, Greenough, Potomac, Seeley Lake, Condon, Lolo, Frenchtown, Grass Valley, Evaro, Ninemile, Target Range, the Wye and the urban area outside the city limits of Missoula.

The Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB) would serve the roles of planning board, zoning commission, board of adjustment and planning commission. In these roles, this board would make recommendations to the county commissioners on proposals related to growth policies and land use plans, zoning code and zoning map amendments, major subdivisions and most amendments to the subdivision regulations. The board would have decision-making authority on zoning variances, zoning special exceptions and administrative action appeals.

MCCLUB is proposed as a seven-member board with two alternates. The county commissioners would appoint all members, who would be required to live in the unincorporated area of Missoula County outside city limits. The County is also considering having the Missoula Conservation District Board of Supervisors and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council recommend one member each. The County is discussing this possibility with those entities.

Starting with interested members of the Missoula Consolidated Planning Board and the County Board of Adjustment who meet the residency requirements, the county commissioners would seek candidates from across Missoula County who have a strong background in the following areas:

1. Natural, historic and cultural resources
2. Agriculture
3. Housing
4. Economic development
5. Architecture and design
6. Land use planning, engineering and surveying
7. Real estate
8. Land use law

Project Timeline:

Thursday, Nov. 6, 2 p.m.: County commissioners public meeting

• 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 civic clerk portal

November-December 2025: Recruit new members, starting with Missoula Consolidated Planning Board and the County Board of Adjustment.

Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026: Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB) in effect.

January-February 2026: Existing Missoula City-County Consolidated Planning Board disbanded.

Public Comment:

Missoula County is seeking feedback on the creation of the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB). Feedback can include the preferred number of members on the consolidated board, what kind of background and expertise members should have, or whether separate boards are preferable. County administrators and commissioners will consider feedback to make changes to the creation of the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board.