Carbon County Planning & Development

Carbon County Planning & Development Contact Information: Forrest Mandeville (contractor) County Administration Building 17 West 11th Street PO Box 466 Red Lodge, MT 59068 Phone: (406) 690-1933 Email: [email protected] Planning & Development Regulations The department provides access to: - Development Permit Application Guidebook - Comprehensive Development Regulations (Rev 2024) - Fee Schedule - Growth Policy 2020 - Part One Zoning Petitions – Resolution 2009-16 - Subdivision Regulations Online Applications & Portals: - Online Development Permit Application(s) & Payment Portal - Group 1: Residential Application - Group 2: Commercial / Industrial / Multi-Family Application - Conditional Use Permit Application - Rural Address Application - County Road Approach Permit Application - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (Septic) Permit Application Additional Resources: - Rural Address Application - County Road Approach - Carbon County Floodplain Administration - FEMA Floodplain Administrator - DNRC Joint Application for Proposed Work in Montana's Streams, Wetlands, Floodplains, and other Water Bodies - Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program - Montana Department of Environmental Quality Sanitary Review How Do I? - File an Application for Exemption from Subdivision Claim - File a Land Use Complaint Form - Apply for a Road Encroachment Permit - Apply For a Road Cut Permit - View Current Fee Schedule - View Comprehensive Development Regulations (rev 05/20/2021) Subdivisions Subdivision General Information: Subdivisions are regulated under the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act, Title 76, chapter 3, MCA., and under local Subdivision Regulations. Review of subdivisions is done locally by a part-time planner and a 10 member county planning board. The State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) reviews subdivisions under Title 76, Chapter 4, MCA. Subdivision FAQ: WHAT IS A SUBDIVISION? If you create one or more parcels under 160 acres in size for SALE, RENT, or LEASE then you are subdividing land and are subject to subdivision review. State DEQ review is required on all parcels under 20 acres. ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO THIS DEFINITION? Yes, there are some property splits that are exempt from review, such as the family conveyance and agricultural exemptions. There are some restrictions on the use of exemptions. Some exemptions are still subject to DEQ review. HOW DO I GO ABOUT SUBDIVIDING PROPERTY IN CARBON COUNTY? First, set up an informal meeting with the local subdivision administrator or planning director to discuss your plans. Bring a sketch map of the project, and have a legal description handy. Second, contact a certified land surveyor to prepare a survey. Third, depending on the complexity of the project, it is recommended that you contact a professional engineer familiar with preparing Subdivision applications. Generally, there are two (2) steps, one being local subdivision review and the other being DEQ sanitary review. DEQ review is required on all lots or tracts less than 20 acres in size. Local subdivision review is required on all lots or tracts less than 160 acres in size. ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES SUBDIVISIONS? Yes, Minor subdivisions have 5 or fewer lots. Major subdivisions have 6 or more lots. HOW ARE SUBDIVISION APPLICATION REVIEWED? Depending on the type of the subdivision, complete applications are reviewed by the planning office and the Carbon County Planning Board. Recommendations are made to the County Commissioners who has final authority to approve, conditionally approve, or deny the application. Subdivisions are reviewed for compliance with: - The adopted County Growth Policy - Local Subdivision Regulations - The Montana Subdivision and Platting Act WHAT REGULATIONS APPLY TO SUBDIVIDING PROPERTY? Generally, there are two (2) separate regulations: - Local Subdivision review by local planning boards, planning departments, and elected officials - Sanitary review by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A SUBDIVISION APPROVED? This depends on the type of subdivision, but generally speaking, you should count on several months, especially for Sanitary Review, by the Montana DEQ. DO I NEED TO HIRE A SURVEYOR? Yes, subdivisions must be surveyed. HOW MUCH ARE REVIEW FEES? This depends on the type and size of the subdivision. Check with the planning office for a fee schedule. State DEQ sanitary review also depends on the type and size of the subdivision but generally the cost is about $250.00 per lot. Check with the planning office or DEQ for their fee schedule. DO I HAVE TO BUILD A ROAD? You must provide LEGAL and PHYSICAL access to each subdivision lot. Legal access would consist of an easement, right-of-way, or direct access to a public road. Physical access is the actual road which must be constructed to minimum county standards. Subdivision Documents Available: - Subdivision Waiver Form - Subdivision Weed Management Plan - Subdivision Regulations - Resolution 2026-16: Adopt Amended Subdivision Regulations - Pre-Application Meeting Request Form - Pre-Application Meeting Checklist - Potential Agency Contacts - Preliminary Plat Application - Submittal Requirements - Final Plat Application - SIA and Waiver - Acceptable Forms of Improvement Guarantees - Letter of Credit Sample - RSID Petition Procedure - Environmental Assessment - Summary of Probable Impacts - Community Impact Report - Easement Document Template - Exempt Survey Application - Agricultural Covenant Declaration - Agricultural Covenant Revocation - Lienholder Consent Sample - Affidavit of Family Transfer - Sample Certifications Planning Board - Planning Board Bylaws - Planning Board Members - Planning Board Agendas & Minutes