How We Do It

Change will come and we are not interested in stopping managed growth, preventing owners from renting their residences, or dividing private property amongst families. We support intelligent change which provides for longevity of life sustaining resources, thus enhancing the economic value to the property owners, the county, and the state.

Preserve Raynolds Pass utilized local knowledge of the area, experience with Montana state and Madison County codes and regulations, plus expertise from professionals such as lawyers, wildlife biologists, conservation agencies, journalists, planners, community leaders, and others to analyze the scope of changes on the horizon and the results. This process has determined our best path to protection, i.e., forward-looking community planning, zoning and the enforcement by the county that accompanies it.

What is zoning?

As early as 1692, the first zoning introduced in America protected against the frequent fires that overtook towns and settlements with buildings of timber and shingles. Boston implemented an effective building code requiring that structures be constructed of stone or brick and covered with slate or tile.

Today zoning refers to regulations that govern how real property can and cannot be used in specific geographic areas. It is used to segregate or prevent uses that are considered harmful or incompatible with existing uses and to provide stability to property values.

Zoning regulations should be crafted with reasonableness and consideration for long term benefit to the community. Regulations are enforced by the county via the right to enforce order for the general welfare of their inhabitants.

Montana’s Two Paths to Protection, Part I and Part II Zoning

MCA 2023 Title 76, Chapter 2, Parts 1-3 

Part I - Citizen Initiated Zoning District (CIZD) is a bottoms-up type of zoning, where property owners determine the area to be zoned (district) and propose the type of zoning they would like to see in that area. A petition is created with proposed regulations and circulated for signature by 60% of the property owners in the proposed district. The petition is provided to the County Commissioners who process the request via Montana State Code. 

Part II – County Zoning is started by the Board of County Commissioners, following the process via Montana State Code and must be in accordance with the county growth policy. The property owners have the right to present a consideration of County Zoning to the Board.