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Missoula County

Missoula Zoning Map & Districts 2026

Explore zoning districts, official map resources, and recent rezoning activity in Missoula County, MT. ZoneWire monitors council meetings to track every zoning change.

Zoning Districts in Missoula County

Common zoning classifications used in this jurisdiction. Exact district names and codes may vary.

ROResource and Open Lands

Open Land and Agricultural district that protects natural landscapes, waterways, and fish and wildlife habitat; development is restricted and land uses limited to undeveloped open space, agriculture, silviculture, and passive recreation.

AGRAgriculture, Reserve

Open Land and Agricultural district that protects prime agricultural soils supporting the local and regional agricultural economy; characterized by large farm tracts and intact agricultural landscapes with use limited to agriculture and incidental supportive activities.

AGWAgriculture, Working

Open Land and Agricultural district that conserves rural character and provides for a rural residential lifestyle that may include income from agriculture and natural resource-based industries, with limited infrastructure and services.

AGRRAgriculture, Rural Residential

Open Land and Agricultural district balancing rural residential development with preservation of natural landscapes where infrastructure may exist; smaller-scale agriculture mixes with low-density residential and related uses such as agritourism, farm stands, and home-based businesses.

RRSRural Residential, Small Agriculture

Open Land and Agricultural district balancing rural residential development with preservation of natural landscapes; small-scale agriculture mixes with low-density residential and limited commercial services in locations with adequate infrastructure.

RResidential

Residential district providing a range of small-scale housing options reflecting the traditional character of existing neighborhoods, promoting compatible infill and limited neighborhood-scale commercial services where infrastructure is available.

RMResidential, Medium

Residential district providing a mix of higher-density housing options including multi-household dwellings, promoting compatible infill and housing diversity with access to public water and sewer and a Complete Street network.

LMLive/Make Neighborhood

Residential district providing places for entrepreneurs and artisans to live where they work, supporting a mix of residential and small-scale non-residential uses such as light manufacturing, commercial kitchens, and artist studios that are secondary to the primary residence.

NRNeighborhood Residential

Residential district providing a mix of homes and neighborhood-scale professional and commercial services in urbanizing areas with public water and sewer; serves as a transition between lower-density neighborhoods and more intensive commercial areas.

NCNeighborhood Center

Mixed-Use district providing limited, clustered commercial activity serving the retail, service, and employment needs of nearby residents within a walkable distance, supporting a horizontal and vertical mix of residential and commercial uses.

CCCommercial Center

Mixed-Use district providing opportunities for retail, services, and employment in auto-oriented patterns transitioning to walkable mixed-use over time; character is almost exclusively commercial but may support higher-intensity residential development.

CECCivic Employment Center

Mixed-Use district supporting economic vitality through concentrated employment hubs, campuses, and institutions devoted primarily to public use and service delivery, typically master-planned in a campus-style environment.

ICLIndustrial Center, Light

Industrial and Manufacturing district providing opportunities for light industrial, artisan, and limited commercial activities with minimal off-site impacts that require more space or unique site design, sited near the transportation network including rail.

ICHIndustrial Center, Heavy

Industrial and Manufacturing district providing places where manufacturing, processing, storage, and distribution occur with limited impacts to adjacent districts; accommodates heavy manufacturing, fabrication, solid waste disposal, power generation, and similar uses requiring separation and buffering.

Recent Rezoning Activity in Missoula County

Meetings
2
Rezoning Mentions
7
Last Detected
Mar 12, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

The official Missoula zoning map is maintained by the local planning department. You can access the interactive GIS map at https://gis.missoulacounty.us/propertyinformation/. ZoneWire also tracks rezoning activity discussed in council meetings.

Common zoning districts in Missoula County include residential (R-1, R-2, R-3), commercial (C-1, C-2), industrial (I-1, I-2), mixed-use (MU), and planned development (PD). Each district has specific permitted uses, setbacks, and density requirements.

ZoneWire reads every council meeting in Missoula County to detect rezoning discussions, variances, and zoning amendments. Start a free trial to receive alerts when rezoning activity is detected.

Zoning and land use in the unincorporated county are administered by Missoula County's Department of Planning, Development and Sustainability. The department's land use information desk answers zoning questions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 406-258-4642. Property located inside Missoula city limits is instead regulated by the City of Missoula rather than the county.

The Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB) took effect January 1, 2026. It is a seven-member board with two alternates whose members must live in unincorporated Missoula County. It makes recommendations to the county commissioners on growth policies, land use plans, zoning code and zoning map amendments, and major subdivisions, and has decision-making authority on zoning variances and special exceptions across areas outside city limits such as East Missoula, Bonner, Lolo, and Frenchtown.

The county's zoning regulations are organized into 13 chapters plus appendices, including Zoning Districts, Building Types, General Regulations, Use Standards and Conditions, Site Design Standards, Environmental Design Standards, Signs, Development Options/Incentives and Bonuses, Nonconformities, Administration, Enforcement, and Definitions. The full text is published on the county's Development Review zoning regulations page.

You can look up a parcel's zoning using the county's online Property Information System, or contact the land use information desk at 406-258-4642 (available 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday) or in person at Community & Planning Services, 323 W. Alder, Missoula.

The county recognizes several categories, including Citizen Zoning Districts, Legacy Zoning Districts (which include Special Districts, Rural Zoning Districts, and Planned Unit Developments), and the Sxwtpqyen Neighborhood designation. Details for each category are provided on the county's zoning regulations page.

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