Planning Processes, Forms and Applications

Civic Access is Here

The City of Helena is pleased to introduce a new Licensing and Permitting system that will allow residents to take care of more City-related business online. The new system features a public-facing online portal called Civic Access. Within Civic Access, you can:

• Apply for and manage Planning and Zoning cases
• Apply for and manage Building related permits
• Apply for various Business, Liquor and Pet Licenses
• Pay invoices
• Schedule inspections
• And more

Visit Civic Access

We have detailed user guides available to help you navigate the new system. These guides are available at www.helenamt.gov/business/civic-access/.

Processes

The Planning Division handles applications related to land use, and each of these applications have their own process. Planning Division staff has outlined the processes for the different applications:

• Annexation Process(PDF, 341KB)
• Subdivision Preliminary Plat Process(PDF, 337KB)
• Zoning Process(PDF, 344KB)

Deadlines for the different applications can be found in the Planning Calendar(PDF, 106KB), Zoning Commission Schedule(PDF, 205KB) , and Board of Adjustment Schedule(PDF, 198KB) .

Public Participation Plan

The City of Helena’s Public Participation Plan will provide a framework for communication and engagement to ensure access to public information, and continuous and ongoing public involvement throughout the three year process for adoption of the future land use plan and associated regulations.View the Public Participation Plan(PDF, 1MB)  . 

Pre-Application

Pre-Application meetings are an integral part of the application process.

All subdivision proposals must be submitted for a Pre-Application meeting. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) proposals, Zone Change requests, any proposed annexation request, or other development projects that may have a significant impact on its surrounding area or on city services may be subject to a Pre-Application meeting. At the Pre-Application meeting representatives from the different City Departments review and comment on the proposed development and its potential impact on public facilities and services and any regulations governing development in the City.

Pre-Application Meeting Information

• Pre-Application(PDF, 248KB)

Subdivisions

• Preliminary Plat Application & Checklist(PDF, 649KB)
• Final Subdivision Plat Application & Checklist(PDF, 215KB)
• Administrative Minor Subdivision Plat Application(PDF, 257KB)
• Amended Plat-COS (exempt from subdivision review) Application & Checklist(PDF, 863KB)
• Preliminary Plat Time Extension Application(PDF, 267KB) 
• Subdivision Variance Application(PDF, 470KB)

Residential Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Program 

Created by Resolution 20218(PDF, 75KB)  in 2015, the Residential Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Program is open to homeowners within city limits who are planning energy efficiency upgrades, such as new windows, or the installation of renewable energy systems. The loan program provides an interest free, fee free loan of up to $12,000, which is repaid on the property tax bill over 10 years.  

• Fillable Loan Application Form(PDF, 104KB)
• Lender Acknowledgement Form(PDF, 19KB)
• FAQs Form(PDF, 119KB)

Zoning Application, Compliance and Variance Forms

• Annexation Petition Form(PDF, 536KB)
• CUP or CUP Amendment Application Form(PDF, 533KB)
• Zone Change Application Form(PDF, 452KB)
• Pre-Zoning Application Form(PDF, 456KB)
• Variance for Board of Adjustment Application(PDF, 843KB)
• Zoning Violation Complaint

Other Applications

• City Address Application
• Community Decay Complaint
• Downtown TIF Funding Application(PDF, 359KB)
• Railroad TIF Funding Application(PDF, 353KB)

Please submit application(s) and fees to the following address with checks payable to: City of Helena, Community Development.

City of Helena
Community Development
Planning Division
316 N. Park Avenue
Room 445
Helena, MT 59623