SB 266 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Revise municipal zoning to allow for triplex and fourplex housing

SB 266 requires Montana cities with populations over 5,000 to allow triplexes (three-unit homes) and fourplexes (four-unit homes) in areas where single-family homes are permitted, without imposing stricter rules than those for single-family properties. The bill mandates that zoning regulations for these multi-unit housing types cannot be more restrictive than those for single-family residences, including limits on parking (max one space per unit) and reduced requirements for lot sizes or building setbacks. It also encourages local governments to adopt additional housing strategies, such as eliminating or reducing off-street parking mandates and permitting accessory dwelling units. This bill directly affects cities meeting the population threshold, aiming to increase housing density options for residents.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0266_1(5).pdf SB0266_2.pdf · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to include a delayed effective date and to reorganize the text of Section 76-2-304. The substantive policy requirements regarding zoning for multi-unit housing, parking limits, and definitions remain unchanged, but the formatting and numbering of the clauses have been significantly altered.
Scope change
The bill's scope of applicability remains the same, but the effective date of the new provisions is now delayed.
TIMELINE

Added a provision for a delayed effective date to the bill.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the numbering and structure of Section 76-2-304, shifting the specific rules for duplexes and fourplexes from subsection (3) to a new subsection (1) and renumbering subsequent subsections accordingly.

Adjusted the definitions section numbering, merging the definition for 'Triplex housing' into the existing list and renumbering the 'Mixed-use development' and 'Multiple-unit dwelling' definitions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2025

How they voted

3317
Passed
Total votes 50
Mar 3, 2025
D Democratic18
8 Yea 10 Nay
55% Nay
R Republican32
25 Yea 7 Nay
78% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Apr 9, 2025
Amended
(H) Tabled in Committee - (H) Local Government
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Local Government
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (33-17)
senate
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Local Government
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Local Government
upper
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Local Government
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jeremy Trebas
Jeremy Trebas
RRepublican
MT
10