The city of Bozeman is rapidly growing, and it can be challenging to know how the land has been allotted and what building can happen on any given plot. The city of Bozeman is divided into districts, or zones, as shown in the map below. The Bozeman Zoning Map is divided into districts, and to learn more about each district keep reading!

Bozeman Residential Zoning Districts

Residential suburban district (R-S) 

The intent and purpose of the R-S residential suburban district is to commemorate and preserve existing RS zoning only. It is important to note that his district is not available for newly created subdivisions, undeveloped land, or any land annexed into the city on or after January 1, 2018.

Residential low density district (R-1) 

The intent of the R-1 residential low density district is to provide for primarily single-household residential development and related uses within the city at urban densities.

Residential moderate density district (R-2) 

The intent of the R-2 residential moderate density district is to provide for one- and two-household residential development at urban densities within the city in areas that present few or no development constraints. Use of this zone is appropriate for areas with moderate access to parks, community services and/or transit.

Residential medium density district (R-3)

The intent of the R-3 residential medium density district is to provide for the development of one- to five-household residential structures near service facilities within the city. Use of this zone is appropriate for areas with good access to parks, community services and/or transit.

Residential high density district (R-4)

The intent of the R-4 residential high density district is to provide for high-density residential development through a variety of housing types within the city with associated service functions. This zone provides for a variety of compatible housing types, including single and multi-household dwellings to serve the varying needs of the community’s residents, while also allowing office use as a secondary use, measured by percentage of total building area. Use of this zone is appropriate for areas adjacent to mixed-use districts, commercial districts, and/or served by transit to accommodate a higher density of residents in close proximity to jobs and services.

Residential mixed-use high density district (R-5)

The intent of the R-5 residential mixed-use high density district is to provide for high-density residential development through a variety of compatible housing types and residentially supportive commercial uses in a geographically compact, walkable area to serve the varying needs of the community’s residents. This zone provides for a mixture of housing types, including single and multi-household dwellings to serve the varying needs of the community’s residents. This zone also allows for offices and small scale retail and restaurants as secondary uses provided special standards are met. Use of this zone is appropriate for areas adjacent to mixed-use districts and/or served by transit to accommodate a higher density of residents in close proximity to jobs and services.

Residential-office district (R-O)

The intent of the R-O residential-office district is to provide for and encourage the development of multi-household and apartment development and compatible professional offices and businesses that would blend well with adjacent land uses. This zone provides for a mixture of housing types, including single and multi-household dwellings to serve the varying needs of the community’s residents. Use of this zone is appropriate for areas characterized by office or multi-household development; and/or areas along arterial corridors or transitional areas between residential neighborhoods and commercial areas.

Residential manufactured home community district (RMH)

The intent of the RMH residential manufactured home community district is to provide for manufactured home community development and directly related complementary uses at a density and character compatible with adjacent development. Use of this zone is appropriate for existing mobile home parks and areas adjacent to commercial or mixed-use districts and/or served by transit.

Bozeman Commercial and Mixed-Use Zoning Districts

The intent and purposes of the commercial zoning districts are to establish areas within the city that are primarily commercial in character and to set forth certain minimum standards for development within those areas. The purpose in having more than one commercial district is to provide opportunities for a variety of employment and community service opportunities within the community, while providing predictability.

Neighborhood business district (B-1)

The intent of the B-1 neighborhood business district is to provide for smaller scale retail and service activities frequently required by neighborhood residents on a day to day basis, as well as residential development as a secondary purpose, while still maintaining compatibility with adjacent residential land uses. Design standards emphasizing pedestrian oriented design are important elements of this district. Use of this zone is appropriate for areas functioning as a center for surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Community business district (B-2)

The intent of the B-2 community business district is to provide for a broad range of mutually supportive retail and service functions located in clustered areas bordered on one or more sides by limited access arterial streets. Multi-household dwellings, townhouses, and apartments are allowed as a secondary use due to their complementary nature and ability to enhance the walkability of these districts. Design standards emphasizing pedestrian oriented design are important elements of this district. Use of this zone is appropriate for arterial corridors, commercial nodes, and/or areas served by transit.

Community business district-mixed (B-2M)

The intent of the B-2M community business district-mixed is to function as a vibrant mixed-use district that accommodates substantial growth and enhances the character of the city. This district provides for a range of commercial uses that serve both the immediate area and the broader trade area and encourages the integration of multi-household residential as a secondary use. Design standards emphasizing pedestrian oriented design are important elements of this district. Use of this zone is appropriate for arterial corridors, commercial nodes and/or areas served by transit.

Downtown district (downtown B-3)

The intent of the downtown B-3 business district is to provide a central area for the community’s business, government service and cultural activities with urban residential development as an essential supporting use. The downtown B-3 district should be the area of greatest density of development, intensity of use, and appropriate infill. Design standards reinforcing the area’s historical pedestrian-oriented context are very important.

This district encourages high volume, pedestrian-oriented uses in ground floor space in the “core area” of the city’s central business district, i.e., along Main Street from Grand to Rouse and to the alleys one-half block north and south from Main Street. Lower volume pedestrian uses such as professional offices may locate on ground floor space in the downtown B-3 area outside the above-defined core.

Urban mixed-use zoning district (UMU) 

The intent and purposes of the UMU urban mixed-use district are to establish areas within the city that are mixed-use in character, and to set forth certain minimum standards for development within those areas which encourage vertical mixed-use development with high density. The purpose in having an urban mixed-use district is to provide options for a variety of employment, retail and community service opportunities within the community, with incorporated opportunity for some residential uses, while providing predictability in uses and standards to landowners and residents.

It is the further the intent of this district to:

• Allow complementary land uses which encourage mixed uses on individual floors including, but not limited to, retail, offices, commercial services, restaurants, bars, hotels, recreation and civic uses, and housing, to create economic and social vitality and to encourage the linking of trips;
• Foster the development of vertically oriented mixed uses, in contrast to single use development distributed along high vehicle capacity roadways;
• Encourage development that exhibits the physical design characteristics of vibrant, urban, pedestrian-oriented, storefront-style shopping streets with pedestrian amenities;
• Provide roadway and pedestrian connections to residential areas;
• Provide appropriate locations and design standards for automobile and truck-dependent uses;
• Create central urban gathering places such as community squares or plazas;
• Allow for urban oriented recreational activities consistent with the standards and intent of the district; and
• To encourage and support the use of sustainable building practices.

To accomplish the intent of the district, the UMU district should ideally be located at the intersections of major traffic corridors; that is, at the intersections of two arterials, or, less frequently, an arterial and a collector street. The major intersections should have or be planned to have a stop light or other active traffic control. While placement at major intersections is a necessary precondition, not all major intersections should have the UMU district adjacent to them. Additionally, placement of this district should be adjacent or near to dense residential development to enhance walking and bicycle use.

Residential emphasis mixed-use zoning district (REMU) 

The intent and purpose of the REMU district is to establish areas within Bozeman that are mixed-use in character and to provide options for a variety of housing, employment, retail and neighborhood service opportunities within a new or existing neighborhood.

These purposes are accomplished by:

1. Emphasizing residential as the primary use, including single household dwellings, two to four household dwellings, townhouses, and apartments.

2. Providing for a diverse array of neighborhood-scaled commercial and civic uses supporting residential.

3. Providing standards and guidelines that emphasize a sense of place: Emphasizing a vertical and horizontal mix of uses in a compact and walkable neighborhood setting

4. Providing standards and guidelines that emphasize a sense of place: Promoting neighborhoods that:

• Create self-sustaining neighborhoods that will lay the foundation for healthy lifestyles;
• Support compact, walkable developments that promote balanced transportation options;
• Have residential as the majority use with a range of densities;
• Provide for a diverse array of commercial and civic uses supporting residential;
• Have residential and commercial uses mixed vertically and/or horizontally;
• Locate commercial uses within walking distance;
• Incorporate a wider range of housing types; and
• Encourage developments that exhibit the physical design characteristics of vibrant, urban, and pedestrian-oriented complete streets.

5. Providing standards and guidelines that emphasize a sense of place:

• Support or add to an existing neighborhood context;
• Enhance an existing neighborhood’s sense of place and strive to make it more self-sustainable;
• Encourage a new neighborhood commercial center(s) with a unique identity and strong sense of place;
• Develop commercial and mixed-use areas that are safe, comfortable, and attractive to pedestrians; and
• Reinforce the principle of streets as public places that encourage pedestrian and bicycle travel, transit, on-street parking and physical elements of complete streets.

6. Providing standards and guidelines that emphasize natural amenities:

• Preserve and integrate the natural amenities into the development; and
• Appropriately balance a hierarchy of both parks and public spaces that are within the neighborhood.

7. Providing standards and guidelines that emphasize the development of centers:

• Group uses of property to create vibrant centers;
• Where appropriate create a center within an existing neighborhood;
• Facilitate proven, market driven projects to ensure both long and short-term financial viability;
• Allow an appropriate blend of complementary mixed land uses including, but not limited to, retail, offices, commercial services, restaurants, bars, hotels, recreation and civic uses, and housing, to create economic and social vitality;
• Foster the master plan development into a mix of feasible, market driven uses;
• Emphasize the need to serve the adjacent, local neighborhood and as well as the greater Bozeman area; and
• Maximize land use efficiency by encouraging shared use parking.

8. Promoting the integration of action:

• Support existing infrastructure that is within and adjacent to REMU zones;
• Encourage thoughtfully developed master planned communities;
• Provide flexibility in the placement and design of new developments and redevelopment to anticipate changes in the marketplace;
• Provide flexibility in phasing to help ensure both long and short term financial viability for the project as a whole;

9. Providing standards and guidelines that promote sustainable design

Use of this zone is appropriate for sites at least five acres in size and areas located adjacent to an existing or planned residential area to help sustain commercial uses within walking distance and a wider range of housing types.

Northeast historic mixed-use district

The intent of the northeast historic mixed-use district is to provide recognition of an area that has developed with a blend of uses not commonly seen under typical zoning requirements. The unique qualities and nature of the area are not found elsewhere in the city and should be preserved as a place offering additional opportunities for creative integration of land uses.

The intent of this area is to allow private and case-by-case determination of the most appropriate use of land in a broad range of both non-residential and residential uses. Standards for buffering between different land uses are deliberately not as high as standards elsewhere in the community as it is assumed that persons choosing to locate in this area are aware of the variety of possible adjacent land uses and have accepted such possibilities as both acceptable and desirable. It is expected that the lots within this district will continue to develop under a variety of uses which may increase or decrease in scope in any given portion of the district. The clear intent of this district is to support a mix and variety of non-residential and residential uses.

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