HB 873 aimed to establish a Mobile Home Park Emergency Relocation Account. This account would provide financial assistance to mobile home owners who are required to move due to a change in use or redevelopment of their mobile home park. Eligible tenants could receive funds for relocation expenses, up to $10,000 for a single-section or $15,000 for a multi-section home, or an abandonment payment. The account would be funded by an annual assessment on mobile homes whose owners do not own the underlying land, along with other revenue, with the assessment waived if the account exceeds $1 million.
HB 931 clarifies that developing single-family or multifamily residential housing can be considered a commercial purpose for leasing state trust land. The bill specifically allows nonprofit corporations to lease state trust land to develop "attainable workforce housing." It revises the definition of "commercial purpose" within state law to include such residential developments under a master lease. This change aims to enable the creation of housing for workers on state-owned land.
HB 920 establishes a temporary property tax exemption for new senior care facilities and housing development projects. Tax-exempt non-profit organizations sponsoring these projects must first petition a local government, which determines if there is a "compelling need" for the project through a public hearing. If approved by the local government, the sponsor can then apply to the department of revenue for the exemption. This bill aims to encourage the development of various affordable housing and care options for seniors aged 55 or 62 and older.
HB 492 revises municipal zoning laws by setting new limits on the minimum parking space requirements local governments can impose on new developments. The bill generally caps required parking for residential units at one space per unit and for commercial spaces at one space per 5,000 square feet, with specific exemptions for certain types of projects like affordable housing or smaller commercial spaces. If a city or town chooses to require more parking than these new limits, it must compensate the developer or property owner for the real cost of constructing the additional spaces. This legislation directly affects municipal zoning authorities and developers within those areas.
HB 505 modifies the Montana Housing Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund Account. The bill allows this fund to retain all interest and income it earns, rather than those funds being transferred elsewhere. It also directs the state treasurer to transfer $50 million from the general fund into this account by June 2025 and another $50 million by June 2026. These provisions aim to increase the resources available within the revolving loan fund, which supports housing infrastructure projects. The principal of the fund can only be appropriated by a two-thirds vote of each legislative house.
HB 231 revises property tax laws by establishing reduced tax rates for certain class four residential and commercial properties. It provides a lower tax rate for qualifying owner-occupied principal residences and long-term rental properties, as well as for a portion of commercial property value. For principal residences, some owners will automatically qualify for the reduced rate for tax years 2025 and 2026 based on prior tax rebates or assistance programs. Beginning in tax year 2027, all owners seeking these reduced rates must apply to the department and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as demonstrating occupancy for a principal residence or rental periods for long-term rentals.
SB 243 amends state zoning laws to allow for increased housing density and building height in certain municipalities. In urban areas with populations over 5,000, it requires cities to permit multiple-unit dwellings and mixed-use developments in commercial zones, provided they have municipal water and sewer. For these developments, the bill limits parking requirements to no more than one space per unit and prohibits height restrictions below 60 feet in specific commercial and industrial zones. Furthermore, it mandates that cities with at least 5,000 residents allow duplex housing in areas zoned for single-family residences, with similar zoning regulations.
SB 337 creates a temporary property tax exemption for land undergoing residential subdivision development. Developers can qualify by applying to the department and prepaying five times the most recent annual property taxes and assessments for the property. This exemption applies to the real property within the subdivision for up to five years, or until a habitable dwelling is built on an individual lot, or until 95% of the lots in the subdivision contain habitable dwellings. The bill's provisions apply to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
SB 532 revises county zoning laws to require counties with zoning regulations to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on lots with existing single-family homes. It mandates that counties permit at least one ADU "by right," meaning without requiring special permits or public hearings, and sets size limits for detached or attached units. The bill prohibits counties from imposing certain restrictions on ADUs, such as requiring additional parking, owner occupancy, or specific exterior designs. Counties may charge a one-time application fee for reviewing ADU applications and must comply with expedited sanitation review provisions.
HB 713 revises municipal zoning laws, outlining procedures for cities and towns to establish, amend, or repeal zoning regulations, restrictions, and boundaries. It requires public hearings with notice for most zoning changes, but allows for immediate adoption of zone map boundary changes by resolution. The bill also permits municipalities to conduct joint hearings for annexation and zoning under specific conditions, streamlining the process for newly annexed properties. Additionally, it repeals a previous method that allowed for citizen protest of zoning alterations.
