MLUPA is the state statute that reshaped how Montana cities do land use planning, and it is the reason for most of the City's planning work in 2025 and 2026.
Under MLUPA, growth policies are no longer broad vision documents. They are implementation-focused and carry weight in later decisions on land use, infrastructure, housing, economic development, natural resources and capital improvements. Because the adopted plan is binding in a way its predecessors were not, the quality of the public process behind it matters legally as well as politically.
That is the frame in which the City built FutureGreatFalls2045 and, alongside it, a separate Land Use Public Participation Plan adopted by Resolution 10629.
Adopting the plan is only the first half. City code has to be amended to match, and it has consequences for which body hears what. The CityCommission took MLUPA code compliance — variances and appeals at WorkSession2026-01-20. The City noted in January 2026 that staff were reviewing and proposing code changes, and that current BoardOfAdjustment members would continue to serve as needed until the code could be adopted to give clear direction on the correct bodies to hear appeals.
The PlanningAdvisoryBoard and the BoardOfAdjustment are both affected.
Adjustment/Appeals, MLUPA note: https://greatfallsmt.gov/456/AdjustmentAppeals Minutes, June 16, 2026: https://greatfallsmt.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06162026-485