Permits & licensing in Montana local government
What Montana city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about permits & licensing — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
149 Montana meetings since 2024 covered permits & licensing. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Montana with the most permits & licensing activity
- Whitefish, MT (22)
- Sidney, MT (19)
- Cascade County, MT (18)
- Sanders County, MT (16)
- Missoula, MT (13)
- Anaconda, MT (12)
- Kalispell, MT (10)
- Missoula County, MT (9)
- Butte, MT (8)
- Laurel, MT (7)
- Granite County, MT (4)
- Billings, MT (3)
Latest matching meetings
Board reviews weed reports and discusses Lolo Agreement and permit renewals
The Sanders County Weed Board will review reports on rush skeletonweed, blueweed, and Eurasian watermilfoil. The meeting includes discussions on the Lolo Agreement, drone spraying updates, and the status of 'I Control My Own' permit renewals. The agenda also covers a new complaint regarding knapweed on a private field…
Council to discuss renting downtown parking lots and allowing block parties
The Kalispell City Council is holding a work session to discuss two potential policy changes: renting city-owned downtown parking lots for special events and allowing residents to temporarily close streets for block parties. Currently, neither activity is permitted. The council will consider whether to create…
Zoning board to review special use permit application SUP 009-2026
The Cascade County Zoning Board of Adjustment is meeting to review one new business item: a special use permit application (SUP 009-2026). The board will also consider draft minutes from its April 16, 2026 meeting. No old business is listed.
Granite County Commissioners to decide on road, solid waste, and security items
The Granite County Commissioners are holding their regular session on August 18, 2026, to discuss and decide on a range of administrative and operational matters. Key items include a weekly road and bridge report, a notice to bid for a restroom and septic system at the Drummond Solid Waste Site, an encroachment permit…
Council to consider ballot measure, solicitor/alcohol code updates, and $887,666 water draw
The Sidney City Council will hold a regular meeting with a public hearing on the August 31 special budget meeting, plus committee reports and a preliminary budget presentation. New business includes a resolution to place a local government review question on the November 2026 ballot, first readings of ordinances…
Kalispell meeting covers plats, conditional use permits, variances
This is a procedural agenda for a Kalispell, MT meeting on preliminary plats, conditional use permits, and variances. The only listed document is an administrative review status PDF, with no specific items detailed in the agenda text.
Lakeshore committee to review three permits, including gravel beach
The Whitefish Lakeshore Protection Committee will hold a public meeting to consider three lakeshore-related applications: a construction permit for a gravel beach, a minor variance for a deck and construction area, and a permit for stairs and boulder relocation. The committee will also approve minutes from the June 10…
County to decide on tungsten mining project and gravel pit expansion
The Granite County Commissioners will hold their regular session on August 11, 2026, addressing a range of items including a tungsten mining project, a gravel pit expansion, and a budget work session. They will also consider measures for disruptive conduct, approve minutes, and review reports on roads, solid waste…
Kalispell reviews plats, permits, variances
This is a procedural agenda for an administrative review of preliminary plats, conditional use permits, and variances. No specific applications, decisions, or dollar amounts are listed in the agenda text. The only attached document is a status PDF, so no substantive items are detailed here.
BCC Lands & Communities to discuss zoning amendments and flood mitigation
The BCC Lands & Communities body will review several land-use requests and project updates. The meeting includes briefings on zoning variances and a presentation on the Columbia Gold Project.
Council to consider Cotter variance, MorningStar objection, audit contracts
The Sidney City Council is holding its regular meeting with several action items, including a variance request from Cotter, a potential objection to MorningStar's SWD request at an August 12 hearing, and approval of audit contracts for fiscal years 2026-2028. The agenda also includes committee reports, a special event…
Weed board to discuss drone spraying, contract road spraying, and education schedule
The Sanders County Weed Board will review reports on Rush Skeletonweed, Blueweed, and Eurasian Watermilfoil, along with old business including an education/outreach schedule, employee status, and a weed education class. New business includes a morning office closure for follow-up spraying. The board will also consider…
Council to consider $25K engineering amendment, water fee schedule
The Sidney City Council will hold a regular meeting with public hearings, committee reports, and new business items. Key actions include approving a $25,000 amendment to an Interstate Engineering task order, setting fees for water PER, and approving claims totaling over $1 million. The agenda also includes routine…
Council to vote on banning new cannabis dispensary licenses
The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on an ordinance to prohibit new retail adult-use cannabis dispensary business licenses pending a review of regulations as part of the Uniform Development Code Project. The consent agenda includes ratifying accounts payable totaling over $6 million. The meeting also…
Commission to consider Healing The Circle Lodge LLC special use permit appeal
The Cascade County Commission will review the special use permit application (007‑2026) submitted by Healing The Circle Lodge LLC and the accompanying appeal documents. The meeting will focus on whether to approve, modify, or deny the permit request. No other agenda items are listed.
Committee to review FY 2026-27 budget and code fees
The Public Safety Committee will review the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget expenditures and consider updates to city codes on solicitor's license fees and alcohol permits in parks. They will also receive monthly reports from the compliance officer, police, and fire departments. Public comment is invited on non-agenda…
Council to vote on Love's Travel Stop conditional use permit
The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a conditional use permit for Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores. Consent items include approval of a $281,973.38 payroll register and financial statements for April and May 2026. Scheduled matters cover resolutions for an on-call engineering contract with…
Public hearing on conditional use permit for retirement home at 3020 18th Ave South
The Planning Advisory Board/Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing and consider recommending approval or denial of a Conditional Use Permit for Benefis Health System Inc. to establish a retirement home (Benefis Village) on a 13.14-acre parcel at 3020 18th Ave South. The proposed memory care community would…
Urban Revitalization Board reviews over $200k in matching grants for building repairs
The Board is considering several matching grant requests for exterior and interior property improvements. Staff recommendations include funding for roofing, masonry, and fire safety upgrades. The board will also review a loan underwriting agreement with the BLDC.
Missoula considers ban on new retail cannabis dispensary licenses
The Housing, Redevelopment, and Community Programs Committee will discuss a proposal to prohibit new retail cannabis business licenses pending a code review. The committee will also review housing stability grants and board appointments.
Committee to decide on retaining wall variance and patio permit
The Lakeshore Protection Committee will hold a public meeting and take action on a minor variance request for retaining wall height and a lakeshore construction permit for a patio on the Givens property. They will also approve minutes from May 13 and hear public comment on non-agenda items.
Board considers exempting private storage buildings from permit requirements
The Missoula County Board of County Commissioners will hold a hybrid public meeting. They will issue proclamations for Gun Violence Awareness Day and Smoke Ready Week, approve a claims list totaling $657,627.51, and conduct hearings on a resolution for Morgan Lane, potential exemptions for residential storage building…
Zoning Board to weigh daycare in home at 2206 Walnut Street
The Butte-Silver Bow Zoning Board of Adjustment will hold public hearings on six applications, including a daycare in a residence, a short-term rental, illuminated crosses on a hospital, a bar expansion, and two variances. The board will decide on special use permits and variance requests affecting land use and zoning…
Public hearing and decision on Love's RV Park conditional use permit
The Laurel City/County Planning Board will hold a public hearing and consider a conditional use permit for Love's RV Park, as well as discuss preliminary plat approval for the Lazy JX Subdivision. The board also begins work on the city's updated growth policy (MLUPA).
Sanders County Weed Board to review weed reports and permit renewals
The board will discuss reports on Rush Skeletonweed, Blueweed, and Eurasian Watermilfoil. Members will review the public outreach schedule and the status of 'I Control My Own' permits.
Council to consider fire restrictions, digital sign permit, and $9,012 shop cabinets
The Sidney City Council is holding a regular meeting with public hearings, committee reports, and several action items. They will consider a conditional use permit for an electronic digital sign at Reynolds Market, a $9,012 work order for shop cabinets and countertops funded by a SLIPA grant, and a final agreement for…
Public hearing on digital sign permit for Reynolds Market
The Sidney Zoning/Board of Adjustment is holding a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit for Reynolds Market to add a digital electronic graphic display to their existing pylon sign at 404 N Central. The board will decide whether to grant the permit at this meeting.
Public hearing on campground with cabins and geodesic domes
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a Major Development Permit for a campground with 4 rental cabins and 8 geodesic domes in the Georgetown Lake Development District. The board will also nominate and vote for a 2026 chairperson and vice-chairperson, and hold a preapplication meeting for the proposed Jones…
Council to hear Reynolds Market sign permit, approve contracts and grants
The Sidney City Council will hold a public hearing on Reynolds Market's conditional use permit for a digital electronic graphic display sign on its existing pylon sign. The council will also consider several new business items, including maintenance contracts, grant reimbursements, and a technical assistance task…
BCC Public Works to discuss building permits with Department of Labor and Industry
The Missoula County BCC Public Works body is meeting to hold a discussion regarding building permits. The session includes a discussion with Bureau Chief Eric Copeland of the Department of Labor and Industry.
Board to consider special use permit SUP 007-2026
The Zoning Board of Adjustment will review draft minutes from March 19 and hold a public hearing on special use permit application SUP 007-2026, including consideration of submitted comments. No old business is listed.
Board to decide on daycare, short-term rental permits
The Zoning Board of Adjustment will vote on two special use permits: a daycare at 2206 Walnut Street and a short-term rental at 918 N. Henry Avenue. Both are in existing residences under Butte-Silver Bow Municipal Code sections for child day care centers and special use permits.
Zone change for Whitefish Lake Lodge properties goes to City Council
The Planning Commission will hear public testimony on several variance requests, a zone change, and a conditional use permit at its April 16 meeting. A work session beforehand will discuss upcoming MLUPA zoning and subdivision changes. The most notable item is a recommendation on a zone change from multi-family to…
Planning board to hold public hearing on Love's RV Park conditional use permit
The Laurel City/County Planning Board will hold a public hearing and consider a conditional use permit for Love's RV Park, followed by a recommendation on hiring Interstate Engineering as a planning consultant for LUPA compliance. The board will also approve minutes from the March 18, 2026 meeting. Public input is…
Weed Board to discuss Blueweed program hiring and $2,500 donation
The Sanders County Weed Board meets to review reports on Rush Skeletonweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil, discuss old business including drone spraying and public outreach scheduling, and consider new business such as the Blueweed Program with hiring and a $2,500 cost share donation. The board will also approve permits…
Board discusses building permit exemptions and Safe Streets grant
The Missoula County Board will open the meeting with public comment on items not on the agenda. It will then consider a set of action items that were moved, seconded, abstained, passed, and signed. The board will discuss a presentation on building permit exemptions. Finally, the board will discuss the Safe Streets for…
Closed session to discuss negotiation strategy for Public Service Commission docket
The board will hold a closed session to plan negotiations for Public Service Commission docket 2025.10.078. Earlier in the meeting, staff will brief on the Larch Meadows Subdivision and a permit application for 700 E Broadway. Updates on county parks projects and community grant resources will also be presented.
Board will evaluate herbicide suppliers and road‑spraying contractors
The Sanders County Weed Board will discuss updates on blueweed grant status, review "I Control My Own" permit renewals, and consider recommendations for herbicide suppliers and county road spraying contractors. It will also vote on time‑sheet and claim approvals. The meeting includes reports on rush skeletonweed…
Committee will vote to approve interlocal agreements for library roof and MS4 workgroup
The Public Works and Mobility Committee will consider two interlocal agreements. One agreement would allow the mayor to sign a City‑County contract for the Missoula Public Library Living Roof Project. The other would let the mayor sign an agreement with Great Falls and Billings for the MS4 Permit Working Group. The…
Board will consider a mutual aid agreement with the City of Townsend
The Broadwater Rural Fire District Board will discuss and decide on several unfinished and new business items. Key topics include a mutual aid agreement with the City of Townsend, a fire plan for subdivision regulations, and burn permit payment procedures. The meeting also covers reports, financial updates, and…