Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 76. LAND RESOURCES AND USE

CHAPTER 3. LOCAL REGULATION OF SUBDIVISIONS

Part 2. Miscellaneous Exemptions

Agricultural Covenant -- Change In Use

76-3-211. Agricultural covenant -- change in use. (1) A change in use for anything other than agricultural purposes subjects a division of land that received an exemption under 76-3-207(1)(c) to subdivision review under parts 5 and 6 of this chapter. However, the governing body, in its discretion, may revoke the covenant provided for in 76-3-207(1)(c) for the purposes of this chapter and the division may proceed without subdivision review if:

(a) the original lot lines are restored through aggregation of the covenanted land prior to or in conjunction with the revoking of the covenant; or

(b) a government or public entity seeks to use the land for public purposes as defined in the governing body's review criteria pursuant to 76-3-504(1)(p).

(2) If a governing body proposes to revoke a covenant pursuant to subsection (1)(b), the governing body shall hold a public hearing. Within 15 days of the hearing, the governing body shall issue written findings of fact and a decision based on the record. If the governing body approves the revoking of the covenant, the approval must be recorded with the clerk and recorder.

(3) The revocation of a covenant pursuant to this section does not affect sanitary restrictions imposed under Title 76, chapter 4.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 34, L. 2019.