Montana housing task force unveils recommendations for regulatory changes

The 18 new recommendations are part of three overall strategies: addressing regulators’ efficiency and capacity, gathering updated information and investing resources to support construction and the workforce. Some of the goals include “streamlining” the permit process for new housing developments, identifying ways to reduce or share the costs of construction and helping local governments implement new zoning and regulatory practices.

DEQ, which is responsible for subdivision permitting, is one of the main agencies the task force urged to improve its efficiency. Dorrington said his department has already worked on bringing in and retaining staff, using technology better and improving their processes, and he believes they can still do more.

By: Jonathon Ambarian