Active Projects and Initiatives

Active Development Mapper

Buildings for Lease or Rent Applications

Floodplain Applications

Subdivision Applications

Zoning Applications

• Includes Variances, Conditional Use Permits, Administrative Determinations, Zone Map/Text Amendments, and Site Plan Reviews

Departmental Initiatives

Submitting Public Comment

Members of the public may comment on all applications in review and/or scheduled for public hearing. Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] or to the Planner who has been assigned review of the project. Comments may also be mailed to Gallatin County Planning, 311 W. Main St, Room 108, Bozeman, MT 59715. The public may also give verbal testimony on applications during public hearings and/or meetings, see the information below.

When you submit written comment on an application, it is typically included in the staff report packet for review by one or more of the below boards/committees and published online. If you submit comment after the staff report has been published, but before the public hearing/meeting, your comments are typically forwarded to the applicable board/committee for review. There are usually no hard deadlines for submitting written comment and they may be submitted up until the hearing or meeting commences. However, submitting comment with plenty of time before the hearing or meeting allows staff and the governing body more time to review the information submitted. 

Governing bodies are usually required to make decisions based on specific criteria set forth in County regulations. If you wish to view the criteria before submitting comment or have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at 406-582-3130 or at [email protected]. 

All written public comment submitted to the Planning Department is public record and is accessible to any member of the public, including names and/or contact information.

Public Hearing/Meeting Process

There are several boards and committees in Gallatin County that make recommendations and decisions on Planning applications during public hearings and/or meetings. Agendas and information about each of these boards and committees can be found below:

County Commission

Big Sky Zoning Advisory Committee

Hebgen Lake Zoning Advisory Committee

Consolidated Board of Adjustment

Planning Board

Planning and Zoning Commission

The public/meeting hearing process is guided by the chair of that board or committee, but typically takes place in the following format:

• Public comment on items not on the agenda
• Agenda item (usually a development application)
  • Staff presentation
  • Applicant presentation
  • Public comment on agenda item
  • Staff rebuttal
  • Applicant rebuttal
  • Board/committee discussion and decision or recommendation
• Other business

There may be several development applications reviewed as separate agenda items during one hearing or meeting.

Giving Public Comment at the Hearing/Meeting

If you wish to give verbal testimony at a public hearing or meeting, you do not need to sign up in advance. Typically, there will be a sign-in sheet in the meeting room where the hearing or meeting is held, and you can sign up to give comment when you walk in the room. If you attend the meeting or hearing online or forget to use the sign in sheet, there will still be an opportunity to give comment.

A time limit may be placed on public comment (example, two or three minutes) if the chair feels it is appropriate for that meeting or hearing. Please note that each person giving public comment is typically allowed one opportunity to speak on each agenda item.

The information contained on this page is meant to provide general guidance on the public hearing/meeting process and is subject to change.

For more information please contact the Planning Office at [email protected] or 406-582-3130.