Montana BIA Partners with Local Organizations to Tackle Zoning Reform

Membership
Published

Zoning continues to be prominent topic of interest as the country grapples with housing affordability struggles. Montana has been actively pursuing solutions to its housing affordability issues through the creation of a state housing task force.

One of the important issues identified by the state housing task force was the need for zoning reform. Task force members included NAHB member Eugene Graf and Kendall Cotton, president and CEO of the Frontier Institute. The Frontier Institute recently released The Montana Zoning Atlas 2.0, an interactive resource that demonstrates how strict local zoning regulations exclude low- and middle-income residents and worsen Montana's housing shortage — data from which the task force was able to point to as part of its recommendations.

The organization also collaborated with local organizations, including the Montana Building Industry Association (MBIA), to create a video highlighting the need for zoning reform.

"The goal was to demonstrate the broad impact that strict zoning regulations have on all facets of the state of Montana," stated Cory Shaw, MBIA executive director, who is featured in the video. 

The video is part of a larger campaign that will include not only an upcoming press conference and series of op-eds, but lobbying efforts to support a number of state bills proposed this session that will tackle minimum lot sizes (LC1454), single-family zoning pre-emption (LC3914) and parking requirement pre-emptions (LC1509), with additional activity surrounding general revisions to zoning laws, subdivision laws, short-term rentals, manufactured homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and more.

"There is a big coalition behind these bills, which is unprecedented," Shaw shared, noting additional collaboration with organizations such as the Montana League of Cities and Towns. "We're not always on the same side as all of these organizations, but there's an overlap on these issues, which is refreshing."

Shaw has shared these efforts with other executives across the country. "It's been good to see it well-received by NAHB and other associations," she added.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

IBS | Advocacy

Feb 18, 2026

Podcast: Live From IBS 2026 – A Special Home for a Special Cause

In the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez take center stage at NAHB HQ at the 2026 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, with special guest Jason Eichenholz sharing his behind-the-scenes involvement with The New American Home.

IBS

Feb 18, 2026

Georgia Builder Elected to Senior Leadership of NAHB

Jim Chapman, an Atlanta-based real estate developer with more than 25 years of experience in the construction field, was elected today as 2026 third vice chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) during the association’s International Builders’ Show in Orlando.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Feb 18, 2026

Overall Housing Starts Inch Lower in 2025

Despite a strong finish in December, single-family home building dipped in 2025 as persistent affordability challenges continued to weigh on the market.

Economics

Feb 18, 2026

How Housing Affordability Conditions Vary Across States and Metro Areas

The NAHB 2026 priced-out estimates show that the housing affordability challenge is widespread across the country. In 39 states and the District of Columbia, over 65% of households are priced out of the median-priced new home market. This indicates a significant disconnect between higher new home prices, elevated mortgage rates, and household incomes.

Economics

Feb 17, 2026

Builder Sentiment Edges Lower on Affordability Concerns

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes fell one point to 36 in February, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).