Zoning & Planning

This page will help you navigate to the Zoning Regulations that apply to specific areas within City limits.  Please see the Zoning Map in order to verify your lot's zone designation, then you can visit the Zoning Regulations page.  This will open the Three Forks Codified Ordinances.  Section 11 covers all zoning.

BUILDING INFORMATION

Zoning Permits

Zoning Permits Are Required prior to any building or structure being:  erected – moved in – or added to.  This includes all types of buildings or additions to buildings including storage sheds, carports, decks, porches, or any type of structure.

How to obtain a Zoning Permit:  Obtain a Zoning Permit Application available at the City Office and return completed application form including a preliminary flood elevation certificate (if required) with payment of appropriate fee.

Zoning Permit Fees

• Residential $200
• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) $250
• Commercial $200
• Garage/Addition $100
• Deck/Shed/Carport $50
• Chicken Coop $50
• (After-the-fact zoning permit fee is $100 minimum or 2x the regular fee, whichever is greater)
• Conditional Use Permit $500
• Variance Request $500
• Zone Text/Map Amendment $500
• After-the-Fact permits are a minimum of $100, or 2x the fee stated above + hourly rate for Planner in excess of 3 hours, hourly rate of attorney in excess of 2 hours, and all engineering fees incurred by the City

Floodplain Permits

Much of the city is located within the 1% chance of flooding mapped by FEMA.  To learn more, please visit our Three Forks Floodplain webpage here.

Before doing any MANMADE IMPROVEMENTS to a property in an AE flood zone, you need to apply for a Flood Permit well in advance of work being done.  

Permit Required: A floodplain development permit issued by the floodplain administrator shall be secured prior to any floodplain development (any manmade change to improved and unimproved real estate, including, but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations), including the placement of factory-built homes, within any area of special flood hazard. See City Ordinance Chapter 12. If the application is deemed incomplete, the Floodplain Administrator will notify the applicant of deficiencies within sixty (60) days. Under no circumstances should it be assumed that the permit is automatically granted. All approved applications will be signed by the Floodplain Administrator. Denied applications may be resubmitted if additional information is provided to support a change in development.

Floodplain Permit Fee:

• $500
• After-the-Fact fee is 2x the fee + hourly rate for Planner in excess of 3 hours, hourly rate of attorney in excess of 2 hours, and all engineering fees incurred by the City

Floodplain Variance Fee:

• $500

Flood Elevation Certificates:  A preliminary elevation certificate is required for all property that lies in Flood Zone AE.  After completion of any construction that requires a Flood Elevation Certificate, please have the final certificate completed by your engineer and forwarded to the City Office.

ABOUT THE BOARD

The purpose of the Three Forks Zoning and Planning Board is to advise and assist the Three Forks City Council in promoting the orderly development of the City, and in improving the health, safety, convenience and welfare of the residents living within its jurisdictional area, to include the City of Three Forks and other districts as may be established from time to time.

This is a seven member board, each serving staggered 3-year terms, with representation from both city limits and those who live within the 1-mile zoning jurisdiction outside of city limits.

Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of every month at 6:30PM if any applications are received by the previous month’s deadline, which is the last Friday of the month.  You can find agendas on our website calendar.

To learn more about this board, please read Title 11 of the Three Forks Municipal Code, or by contacting the Zoning Official at 406-285-3431.

Bylaws

This board meets as needed based on applications received.  Applications must be received by the last Friday of each month, in order to be heard on the next available meeting, which are held the third Thursday of the following month.  No agenda will be posted if no applications are received before noon on the last Friday of the month.  Agendas can be found on our Calendar of Events page. (At a minimum, the Board holds meetings January, April, July and October pursuant to Seciton 76-1-301, MCA.)

Zoning Regulation Rewrite:

The Zoning & Planning Board is reading the first draft chapters of the updates to the Zoning Regulations.  Chapter 1 "Purpose, Authority, Jurisdiction, Basic Principles", Chapter 2 "Nonconforming Lots, Uses, Structures & Signs", Chapter 3 "Administration", and Chapter 4 "Permits" are available here for you to read.  These have not been scheduled for any public hearings yet, but all the Zoning & Planning Board hearings are open to the public.  Check our calendar for agendas, which are also posted on the City Hall window, at the three local banks, and the Post Office.  For official public hearings headed towards adoption of any of these chapters, those will also be advertised in the Bozeman Chronicle, Belgrade News and Three Forks Voice.

Draft Chapter 1 - Land Use Regulations

Draft Chapter 2 - Vested Rights, Nonconforming Lots, Uses

Draft Chapter 3 - Actors in Admininstration

Draft Chapter 4 - Permits

Draft Chapter 5 - Zoning Permit Procedures

Draft Chapter 6

Draft Chapter 7 - Appeals and Variances

Draft Chapter 11 - Zoning Map

Draft Chapter 12 - Agricultural District

Draft Chapter 13 - Parking

Memo for Discussion on Chapter 17 - Residential District

Draft Chapter 21 - Home Businesses

Chapter 22 - Southeast Zoning District

Chapter 22 Compliance Checklist

Chapter 23 - Landscaping