UDC Adoption Path and Temporary Pause on Development Review  

Good Afternoon,

I’d like to expand on our earlier communication regarding the temporary pause on development applications and building permit reviews.

First, I apologize for the confusion caused by our initial message. We recognize this action directly impacts many of you, and that you are concerned about your businesses and employees. We should have communicated the details more clearly.

Our earlier message did not adequately explain the potential impacts on review timelines, which led some to believe the pause could extend far beyond September 15 or signal a long-term slowdown. That was not our intent. I appreciate the feedback we’ve received and welcome the opportunity to clarify.

The attached information outlines how to determine if your project is affected and what to expect if it is. Please continue to reach out with any questions or concern.

Why this pause in planning reviews?

The city temporarily shifted staff capacity to deliver on our commitment of adopting the new Unified Development Code (UDC) by the end of 2025.
Completing this work now is essential. Both the public and private sectors recognize that we cannot afford additional delays or future impacts to development.
Adopting the UDC by year’s end protects the development pipeline. Without a clear zoning framework entering 2026, subdivision activity and new projects would stall, creating longer-term negative impacts.

What are the key drivers behind the delays?

There was a decision to change the Phase I scope to combine the Development Manual with the UDC, (previously a Phase II project), this was in part from community feedback, and we believe that it will greatly improve the initial deliverables.
There was an unplanned scope impact from legislative changes from 2025, including the near elimination of residential parking requirements.
Resource constraints created by the competing demands of drafting the UDC and daily reviews of applications and permits.

Does the temporary pause impact your project?

Check Accela:
- View your project’s open workflow in the Accela application portal.
- If planning review is required and has not been completed, your project will be affected.
- If planning review is not required or already completed, your project will not be affected.
- If you are unable to determine status in Accela, please contact Walter Banziger at Banziger@ci.missoula.mt.us.
For Applications:
- You can continue submitting new and corrected applications for permits and licenses in Accela. Reviews by other teams (Parks, Fire, Building, Engineering) will begin upon submission and will proceed as usual. Comments will be visible in Accela. This will help minimize delays when planning staff resume reviews on September 15.
- You can continue submitting new and corrected development review applications. Those with statutory deadlines will begin review immediately. All others will begin review after September 15.

What should I expect?

Pause Duration: The pause on City Planner reviews will end on September 15.
Project Review between Sept 15th and year end 2025:
- We will strive to meet published timelines for permits currently under review, accounting for the three-week pause.
- New permits submitted during the pause may experience slightly longer approval times if volumes are high.
- Our goal is to minimize these delays and keep projects moving through the fall and winter, paying special attention to weather impacted and residential projects.