City of Missoula Pauses Development Applications Amid Code Reform

Construction Industry Faces Uncertainty as City of Missoula Pauses Development Applications for Code Reform

The City of Missoula has announced a temporary halt to planning review of all development applications, affecting both residential and commercial building permits. The pause is set to run from late August through September 15 and is intended to clear the path for adopting a Unified Development Code (UDC) by the end of 2025. This action also covers zoning desk availability and all business license applications.

The UDC will overhaul regulations related to development, including zoning, subdivision, public works, and parks/recreation regulations. City officials say the pause is necessary to prevent longer-term negative impacts on subdivision activity and on new projects if a clear zoning framework is not in place. By implementing the code reform, officials expect a more predictable planning process and a clearer path for builders and residents alike.

Impacts and concerns from the local building community

Local builders and other construction professionals have voiced concerns about how the pause could affect projects and jobs, especially as winter approaches. There is worry that permit delays may contribute to job losses for carpenters and laborers during the cold months when work can slow down. A number of builders emphasized the need for predictability in the permit process, noting that long waits and uncertainty disrupt project planning and staffing. Some stakeholders have also pointed to expectations that builders must plan permits months in advance, calling for clearer timelines even as reform work continues.

Internal deadlines and current workload

The director of the city’s Community Planning, Development and Innovation office has said there is a pressing internal deadline to have a draft of the UDC ready by October 1. In recent weeks, the city has been processing a high volume of permit applications, with over 200 permits issued in the last couple of months alone. Officials say this demand underscores the need for a well-defined code framework to prevent future backlogs and to support efficient decision-making through and after the transition to the UDC.

Funding and personnel questions

Questions have circulated about the financing and staffing for the code reform, including concerns about a $1 million expenditure paid to an outside consultant for the reform process. City officials have stated that the consultant’s work does not cover the current consolidation process of the UDC, and that internal staff resources remain aligned with ongoing tasks related to the reform. The allocation of funds and resources is being examined as part of the overall project management for the UDC, with an emphasis on maintaining progress while minimizing disruption to daily operations.

Goals of the new code and potential effects on housing

The UDC aims to increase housing density and open more areas of the city to development. Officials expect that the updated rules could help address housing affordability by expanding where and how housing can be built, potentially easing competition for rental units and for homebuyers. Builders and developers have noted frustration with higher development and permit fees in the past five years, along with longer approval times; the new code is expected to streamline some processes while balancing public concerns about growth and infrastructure needs.

Local leadership and citywide context

The mayor has acknowledged some miscommunication about future delays in development applications but remains supportive of the UDC reform. The administration argues that finalizing and implementing the new code is a necessary step toward easing construction projects in Missoula, not delaying them indefinitely. The broader context includes regional planning efforts and ongoing work in nearby jurisdictions shaping how growth may unfold across the area in the coming years.

Regional development areas and housing strategy

The Wye area, located near Highway 93, is identified as a transitional zone for future urban-style housing developments. Planning documents project the area could accommodate a substantial number of homes over coming decades, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 units. This outlook is part of a broader discussion about where growth should be concentrated to balance housing supply with infrastructure capacity and environmental considerations. In parallel, Missoula County has rolled back some building regulations, exempting certain structures from permit requirements based on input from the public. The county’s aim is to facilitate easier access to building approvals and, in turn, address potential housing affordability challenges in the county as a whole.

Overall, the pause marks a pivotal moment as Missoula works to align development rules with a new, overarching framework. The city and county are jointly navigating how best to support housing growth while maintaining standards for safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood character. As the UDC draft progresses toward a final version, the planning process will be watched closely by builders, residents, and local officials who weigh the trade-offs between faster approvals and orderly, well-planned growth.