Housing (Landlords · Local Government)

This bill clarifies that Montana local governments cannot create additional licensing or permitting requirements beyond what state law already allows. It directly affects local municipalities, counties, and other local government units by explicitly listing prohibited powers across various areas such as landlord-tenant relations, environmental regulations, occupational licensing, and commercial activities. The key mechanism is amending Section 7-1-111 of the Montana Code Annotated to add specific prohibitions, including bans on local fees for oversized vehicles, restrictions on regulating amateur radio operations, and limits on imposing additional employment benefits on private employers. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, providing clear boundaries for local legislative authority without changing existing state laws.

This bill (LC 1920) proposed requiring municipalities and counties to allow pet-friendly accommodations in local housing regulations. It would have directly affected local governments by mandating they update ordinances to permit pets in rental properties, rather than banning them. The bill died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, and never became law.