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Community Development FAQ

Click on question to reveal the answer

Do I need permission to install a business sign?

Yes, a sign permit is required prior to installing most signs. Many signs must also receive a building permit before they are installed. The requirements for signs do vary depending on the location and what zoning district you are in.

There are many types of temporary and permanent signs allowed in Bozeman. The Planning Department is happy to sit down with you and help you understand the sign regulations before you begin the design process to avoid confusion or uncessary expense or delay. You may contact us by phone or visit in person.

How can I explore possible development options?

The City staff are happy to make an appointment and visit with you about what you might want to do either with your own site or if you are looking to find a site. The City also offers a conceptual review process called an informal review. This is an opportunity to identify possible development options and concerns before committing to a full design process for a site.

The City makes much information available through its website. The GIS Department provides an electronic atlas that allows you to find addresses and display many different types of information including: zoning, aerial photography, water bodies, land use, parks, special improvement district boundaries, and many other types of data. The City's development regulations can be found in the Land Use Regulations section of the web page. Information on long range transportation planning and other facilities plannings are available through the Plans and Planning web page.

Within the Downtown and N. 7th Avenue tax increment finance districts, the City makes available technical assistance grants to help defray the costs of examining a specific site for opportunities and contraints. To explore this option please contact the Downtown Bozeman Partnership at 586-4008 to discuss the Downtown district or the Planning Department to discuss the N. 7th Avenue district.

How do I know if I need a Certificate of Appropriateness before altering my property?

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applies within the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District and the Entryway Overlay District. These districts are shown in the colored shading on the linked map. If you are located within these areas you may still develop or remodel your property but some special standards apply. The main focus of the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District is historic preservation. The main focus of the Entryway Overlay District is creating a pleasant entrance into the community. Work to repair an existing structure is often exempt from the requirement for a COA. Please contact the Planning office at 582-2260 to verify if your work needs a COA or not.

How do I make an application for development review?

The City has made the necessary forms available through its web site. The City's applications are modular and most applications require both the Development Review Application and one or more checklist attachments. The forms are available through the Applications and Brochures links to the left of the Planning Department web page. The forms do change from time to time so it is always best to get a fresh form each time. Applications are due to the City each Wednesday by 5 pm.

What criteria does the City use to evaluate development proposals?

The City has adopted criteria against which development is evaluated. The criteria vary depending on the nature and scale of development so that they are relevant to what is proposed. For example, a subdivision of land into individual lots has different criteria than construction of a specific building. All the review criteria are in print and are available through the City’s website.

The basic standards for development are contained in Title 18, Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), of the municipal code. Different chapters within that title address specific topics. There are also two special zoning overlay districts which apply standards for historic preservation and for design excellence in community entryways. These standards are contained in design guidelines published in separate documents but which are incorporated by reference into Title 18. The criteria can be found in the Land Use Regulations.

Major starting points for criteria are:

Subdivisions – Chapter 18.06, UDO
Site development – Chapter 18.34, UDO
Certificate of Appropriateness (Historic) – Chapter 18.28, Design Guidelines
Certificate of Appropriateness (Entryways) – Chapter 18.30, Design Guidelines

What is the best way to research my property?

The City provides an interactive system which allows you to find your property and to examine many types of information. You can also do research at the Gallatin County Clerk and Recorders office at 411 East Main Street to find documents linked to your title (e.g. restrictions, water rights, mineral rights, easements, agreements, etc.) and a recorded copy of the subdivision that you live in. There are County staff on hand to assist you with this. Copies of the information are available for a fee.

The history of building permits may be found in the Building Division offices, 20 E. Olive Street, 2nd floor. The Planning Department has copies of past zoning, subdivision, and annexation approvals. These are not in electronic form.

What is the entryway corridor overlay district?

The Entryway Corridor Overlay District is a special set of regulations for properties in the City’s Entryway Corridors. The corridors are generally comprised of East and West Main Street, North and South 19^th Avenue, North 7^th Avenue, I-90 and the I-90 frontage Roads (Valley Center, and East Frontage Road). The exact locations and extent of the Entryway Corridor Overlay District can be found on the City’s adopted zoning map.

The intent and purpose of the overlay district is to ensure high quality development along the corridors; so as to enhance the appearance and lasting impression to both visitors and residents. Design Guidelines adopted for the district contain regulations for site planning, buildings, lighting, landscaping, and other special standards. The guidelines are intended for new development and for exterior changes to existing properties. A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) permit approved by the Department of Planning and Community Development is required for any new development or exterior changes, other than repainting and repair, to existing properties.

Where are the City’s Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts?

The City has four tax increment finance (TIF) districts. A TIF district provides a means to finance improvements within a district to improve the functionality and appearance of the area. A map of the four districts is available.

Why does Bozeman do site plan review?

Zoning regulations create the three-dimensional building envelope and set basic site layout standards. But by their nature these regulations cannot be site specific - instead, they establish general regulations for every parcel within a particular district. Site plan review allows a community to look at the specific location of the use or structure; the layout of the site, including pedestrian and auto circulation... It drills down through the intent of the zoning regulations to the level of a specific parcel. Site plan review allows both quantitative and qualitative assessment based on standards, principles, and guidelines... The end result of the process is the implementation of community design and development policies, which have been tailored to fit the realities of a site. Site plan review also creates a forum where technical planning issues can be resolved. (Zoning Practice 11/2007, American Planning Association)

Site plan review helps to ensure that development of one site does not infringe on or damage the development potential of adjacent properties. It also helps to ensure that a site is functional and works well for those who will use it now and into the future.

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Community Development FAQ