City of Missoula Pauses Development Applications Amid Code Reform

Missoula, September 4, 2025

News Summary

The City of Missoula has temporarily halted the review of all development applications, affecting residential and commercial permits. This pause lasts from late August until September 15 and aims to facilitate the establishment of a new Unified Development Code (UDC) by 2025. Builders express concerns over potential job losses due to permit delays, while city officials emphasize the need for updated zoning regulations to address housing density and affordability issues in the area.

Missoula pauses development applications to pursue Unified Development Code reform

The City of Missoula has temporarily halted planning review of all development applications, affecting both residential and commercial building permits. The pause runs from late August through September 15 and also suspends zoning desk availability and all business license applications.

The temporary measure is aimed at enabling the city to adopt a new Unified Development Code (UDC) by the end of 2025. The UDC will update regulations across several areas, including zoning, subdivision, public works, and parks/recreation regulations.

City officials say this pause is necessary to avoid longer-term negative impacts on subdivision activity and new projects without a clear zoning framework. The decision comes as officials work toward a comprehensive rewrite intended to streamline development once the new code is in place.

Local builders and construction professionals have voiced concern that permit delays could lead to job losses among carpenters and laborers during the winter. One local builder highlighted the potential for layoffs if permit timelines remain uncertain, noting the need for predictability in the permit process.

In the city’s planning office, Eran Pehan, director of the Community Planning, Development and Innovation office, said there is a pressing internal deadline to have a draft of the UDC ready by October 1. City staff have been handling a high volume of permits, with over 200 permits issued in the last couple of months.

Questions have been raised about the cost of reform, including a $1 million payment to an outside consultant for the code reform process. Some observers questioned whether shifting staff resources was necessary given that expenditure. Pehan clarified that the consultant’s work does not include the current consolidation process of the UDC.

The city says the UDC aims to increase housing density and open more parts of the city to development, with the hope of alleviating housing and rental prices. Builders and developers have also voiced frustration over increased development and permit fees over the past five years, which have coincided with longer approval times.

Mayor Andrea Davis acknowledged some miscommunication about future delays in development applications while emphasizing support for the UDC reform process. The mayor stated that finalizing and implementing the new code is necessary to ease construction projects in Missoula.

The Wye area near Highway 93 is identified as a transitional zone for future urban-style housing developments, expected to accommodate 10,000 to 15,000 homes over coming decades. In parallel, Missoula County has rolled back certain building regulations, exempting various structures from permit requirements based on public feedback. The county’s decision to loosen restrictions is aimed at easing access to building approvals and potentially addressing housing affordability challenges.

Taken together, city and county actions reflect a broader push to modernize development rules while balancing short-term delays with long-term growth opportunities. Officials say the pause is a calculated step to implement a more predictable and streamlined framework that could help unlock new projects while protecting the housing market from volatility.

Key features of the Missoula development pause and code reform

Pause 18d

Permits 200

UDC Oct 1

Density Increase

Wye 10k-15k

Housing 18d

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the planning review paused in Missoula?

The pause provides time to implement a Unified Development Code by the end of 2025, aligning zoning, subdivision, public works, and parks/recreation regulations to support future development.

Which parts of city administration are affected by the pause?

Planning review of development applications, zoning desk services, and all business license applications are temporarily on hold through September 15.

What is the Unified Development Code and what does it aim to change?

The Unified Development Code is a comprehensive rewrite designed to streamline regulations across zoning and development processes, with the goal of increasing housing density and opening more areas to development.

How might the pause affect builders and job security?

Builders and workers could face slower project starts and potential layoffs if permits are delayed, particularly as winter approaches, emphasizing the need for predictability in approvals.

What is the status of the UDC drafting timeline?

City officials aim to have a draft ready by October 1, with a broader plan to finalize and implement the new code by the end of 2025.

What about the Wye area and housing targets?

The Wye area near Highway 93 is seen as a transitional zone for future urban-style housing, with a long-term goal of accommodating tens of thousands of homes over coming decades.

What has been happening with county building regulations?

Missoula County has rolled back certain building regulations by exempting various structures from permit requirements to ease access and address affordability concerns.