Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Committee
The ADA Compliance Committee serves as an advisory committee to the Helena City Commission to determine reasonable accommodations as stated in the Americans for Disabilities Act. The city of Helena's ADA Coordinator, Ellie Ray, provides staff assistance to the ADA Committee and can be contacted for further information at 316 North Park Avenue, Room 445, Helena, MT 59623, or by phone at (406) 447-8490, or by email at citycommunitydevelopment@helena.gov.
For more information about ADA federal regulations, click here.
Board of Adjustments (BOA)
The Board of Adjustments consists of five (5) members appointed by the mayor for three (3) year terms, subject to confirmation by the City Commission. The BOA deliberates on requests for variances from the City of Helena Zoning Ordinance to address any undue hardship caused by city zoning regulations on building a new structure(s), rehabilitating an existing structure(s), or expanding the existing structure(s) on such property. The requests are brought forth by citizen applicants and presented to the BOA by Planning Division staff. See FAQs(DOCX, 23KB) for more information about zoning variances.
As stated in Chapter 5, Section 2 of City of Helena’s Zoning Ordinance, the Board of Adjustment may, after public notice and hearing, approve, conditionally approve, or deny the request to vary or modify the following requirements:
- Lot line setback requirements;
- Lot coverage and area requirements;
- Building height;
- Parking and loading space requirements;
- Location, height, area and number of signs; and
- Landscaping requirements.
Click here(PDF, 843KB) to be re-routed to the Zoning Variance Application.
NOTE: Application deadlines are once monthly on the FIRST BUSINESS DAY OF THE MONTH for the public hearing date on the FIRST TUESDAY of the month following the application.
Planning Commission
The Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA) established during the 2023 Montana Legislative Session with passage of Montana Senate Bill 382, provides for the establishment of a Planning Commission, as a stand-alone Planning Commission, a combined multi-jurisdictional board, or by the designation of an legally authorized board (planning board, coning commission, or board of adjustment) in existence prior to the enactment of SB 382.
The City of Helena is moving toward the creation of, by resolution(PDF, 411KB), a new Planning Commission for the City. Upon full implementation and compliance with the MLUPA, the Planning Commission will be created by ordinance with all the roles and responsibilities outlined in the act – combining the functions of a traditional planning board with the functions and responsibilities of the zoning commission and board of adjustments.
Initially, this board will be tasked with the development, adoption, review, and approval of a new Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map, updating the City zoning regulations and zoning map, and updating the subdivision regulations. Once fully established and all the requirements of the MLUPA being met, the Planning Commission will be not only tasked with the amendments to these documents but also with hearing and deciding on appeals from any site-specific land use decisions made by the City Planning Administrator.
Helena/Lewis & Clark County Consolidated Planning Board
As described in Title 2, Chapter 6, Section 3 of Helena City Code, the Planning Board serves as an advisory board to the City Commission on major subdivision applications and revisions to the City of Helena Growth Policy and Subdivision Regulations. Planning Division staff provide assistance to the Board by developing reports that detail the findings of facts and provide recommendations for approval with or without conditions or denial and present their findings for subdivision applications at a Planning Board public hearing. Additionally, Planning Division staff assist in the update and development of existing and future policies and regulations pertaining to subdivision and long range planning.
Zoning Commission
As described in Title 2, Chapter 6, Section 3 of Helena City Code, the Zoning Commission serves as an advisory board to the City Commission on applications for Conditional Use Permits, Zone Change, Pre-Zoning prior to Annexation, and revisions to the city of Helena Zoning Ordinance. Planning Division staff provide assistance to the Zoning Commission by developing reports with recommendations for approval with or without conditions or denial. Staff presents the findings, recommendations, and analysis at a Zoning Commission public hearing. Additionally, staff provides technical assistance in the update of existing regulations and development of future regulations that pertain to zoning. Click here for more information about city zoning.