Montana Cities & Towns Oppose SB528

“What I think is the biggest issue in this bill is I think It will prohibit us from putting any short-term rental restrictions on the ADU. That’s a huge issue for us,”

Montana Cities & Towns Oppose SB528
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Read the article at the Flathead Beacon by Mike Kordenbrock
excerpt:
“Senate Bill 528 would allow ADUs on lots with single-family dwellings, and prohibit cities from imposing certain requirements for ADUs, including requiring parking, owner occupancy of the main residence with which the ADU shares property, and that the design conform to the primary residence.
The bill would also prevent cities from imposing stricter zoning regulations for ADUs, or requiring a restrictive covenant for an ADU on a parcel zoned for single-family residential use.
“What I think is the biggest issue in this bill is I think It will prohibit us from putting any short-term rental restrictions on the ADU. That’s a huge issue for us,” said Montana League of Cities and Towns Executive Director Kelly Lynch, who spoke against the bill.
Hertz later said his bill was not intended to apply to short-term rentals, and indicated he is open to amendments to prevent short-term rentals from being included in the bill.
Senate Bill 528 would also prevent cities from imposing impact fees on ADUs and allow a maximum floor area size that is the lesser of the gross floor area of the primary residence, or 1,000 square feet. The square footage maximum is an increase of 400 square feet from what Whitefish made allowable under its ordinance. It would also do away with Whitefish’s parking requirements, and impact fee collection for ADUs, and in effect undercut the city’s program to incentivize ADUs being rented to local residents, since the bill has language stating that it would void noncompliant regulations.”

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