Missoula Halts Development Reviews to Implement Climate, Equity-Focused Code

MISSOULA — The City of Missoula has temporarily halted all development application reviews, construction permits for new buildings, and business license applications through September 15 to focus on implementing a new Unified Development Code that prioritizes climate action and equity considerations.

The pause affects residential and commercial construction permits involving new construction or additions, zoning desk services, and business licenses, according to a city announcement Tuesday. Development reviews will resume with extended timelines: 12 weeks for new residential construction permits and 15 weeks for commercial permits and business licenses through the end of the year.

“This short-term pause allows our planning and engineering staff to focus on finalizing the UDC—a modernized zoning framework,” the city stated, describing the code as designed to “support more housing options in every neighborhood” and “streamline and simplify our development review process.”

However, the official resolution establishing the UDC’s guiding principles reveals a broader ideological framework that could reshape Missoula’s development landscape. The resolution explicitly directs staff to create regulations that “address City Growth Policy elements including equity, health, sustainability, climate action, and access to affordable housing.”

The document emphasizes engagement with “traditionally marginalized and underrepresented communities” and requires zoning districts be mapped “in ways that support equity; sustainability and resilience; a vibrant public realm; and a walkable and healthy community.”

The UDC serves as the implementation mechanism for the city’s Our Missoula 2045 Land Use Plan, which lists equity and climate as its second and third core values. The 125-page vision document defines equity as ensuring “equitable access to opportunities” and reducing “disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities,” while the climate value promotes “compact, walkable, mixed-use development” and reducing “local carbon emissions.”

A code diagnostic completed by the city identified four key problems with current regulations: “Codes present barriers to housing equity, supply, and affordability. Codes do not promote compatible infill. Codes do not support mobility and climate policies. Codes are difficult to navigate for applicants and staff.”

The new code aims to “increase overall housing capacity throughout Missoula and especially near key transit corridors” while promoting “adaptive reuse of existing buildings and prioritize growth that utilizes existing infrastructure.”

Development applications with state statutory deadlines and permits not requiring planning review will continue processing during the pause.

The city has set an aggressive timeline for adoption, with public engagement beginning in early October, release of the full UDC in early November, and potential City Council adoption by December 22.

“We understand this may cause temporary delays for some applicants, and we appreciate your patience as we prioritize completing the UDC—an investment in Missoula’s future that will benefit our entire community,” the city stated.

The resolution describes the UDC as “the first version” of the code, with plans to “build upon” it in future phases to “further innovate to meet City priorities and goals.”

For questions about the UDC, residents can contact Eran Pehan at [email protected] or Walter Banziger at [email protected].