Planning
Stillwater County’s Planning Office exists to serve the citizens and local governments of Stillwater County by providing planning services for land use, community growth, and change. Such services include administering the Stillwater County and Town of Columbus Subdivision Regulations, advising the Board of County Commissioners on planning-related issues, advising the Columbus Town Council on planning and zoning issues, and helping the City-County Airport Board with growth and related concerns.
The Planning Office implements the policies of the adopted Growth Management Plans for Columbus and the County, assists local communities in their efforts to plan for themselves, reviews proposed development pursuant to State law, and considers all means by which Stillwater County can have a viable economy without sacrificing the environment that residents and visitors prize most and which is the County’s most valuable asset.
Economic and community development services are available through the Stillwater County Economic Development Department.
The County Planning Office currently serves 4 Boards: City-County Planning Board County Planning BoardZoning Commission Board of Adjustments
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Forrest Mandeville
Contracted PlannerPhone: 406-690-1933
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Cindy Grover
Floodplain AdministratorPhone: 406-322-8064
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Planning
Physical Address
West Annex
431 Quarry Road
Columbus, MT 59019
Mailing Address
PO Box 1287
Columbus, MT 59019
Phone: 406-322-8050Fax: 406-322-8028
In Montana, a subdivision is any division of land that creates one or more parcels containing less than 160 acres (exclusive of public roadways) that cannot be described as a one-quarter aliquot part of a United States government section, so that the title to the parcel may be sold or otherwise transferred.
The Montana Subdivision and Platting Act requires all local governments to adopt subdivision regulations that are consistent with the State’s regulations. The primary purpose of subdivision regulations is to promote orderly growth and development of land by establishing standards for design and improvements, while also protecting public health and safety by ensuring adequate access to utilities, preventing overcrowding, and minimizing environmental impact when dividing a parcel of land into smaller lots for development
2022 Subdivision Regulations (PDFSubdivision Exemptions (COS) Process (PDF)Subdivision and Planning Definitions (PDF)2024-40 Subdivision Fees
City of Columbus Subdivision Rules & Regulations
Additional Forms/Applications/Documents
Stillwater County regulates all development within identified floodplains to promote public health, safety and general welfare of the residents and minimize losses of life and property through its Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations. Activities such as grading, excavation, placement of fill, bank stabilization work, construction or alterations to a property within the Regulated Flood Hazard Areas require a Floodplain Development Permit. The county also requires any structure within the designated floodplain that is damaged or improved more than 50% of its market value to be built according to regulations and elevated 2 feet above the designated floodplain elevation. To find out if your property is in a designated floodplain or for any questions regarding development in the floodplain, please contact the Stillwater County Floodplain Administrator at 406-322-8064 or email to cindyg@stillwatercountymt.gov.
In Montana, a floodplain is a low-lying area of land that's prone to flooding from a nearby waterway:
- Definition - A floodplain is the area that would be covered by floodwater from a 100-year flood event, which has a 1% chance of happening in any given year.
- Formation - Floodplains are made up of nutrient-rich river sediments and are formed when rivers overflow their banks after heavy rains or snowmelt.
- Risk - Floodplains are prone to repeat flooding, which can be damaging to communities.
- Mapping - The Montana floodplain mapping program works with FEMA and local communities to identify flood risks. Floodplain maps are updated regularly to account for changes in flood risk.
- Building - To avoid flooding, buildings and permanent structures should be built outside of the 100-year floodplain.
- Permits - A floodplain permit is required for any development or activity within a floodplain
Stillwater County Floodplain Hazard Management Regulations (PDF)Building in the Floodplain? (PDF)Joint Application Flow Chart (PDF)Joint Application Submittal Requirements310 / Floodplain Permit Joint Application (PDF)Floodplain Appeal Application (PDF)Floodplain Complaint Form (PDF)Floodplain Emergency Notification (PDF)2025 Floodplain Review Fees (PDF)Floodplain Permit Compliance Certification (PDF)Floodplain Variance Application (PDF)FEMA Floodplain MapElevation CertificateFlood Safety Tips and Resources
- Development & Zoning Regulations( PDF)
- Development Regulations Fee Schedule (PDF)
- Stillwater County CIP (PDF)
- West Fork Stillwater Planning and Zoning Ordinance (PDF)
- Zone A Overview Map (PDF)
- Montana Cadastral
- Columbus Area Growth Policy (PDF)
- Stillwater County Growth Policy (PDF)
- BRCD Regional Housing Study May 2022
- 310 / Floodplain Permit Joint Application
- State Building Code Bureau
- 2018 Growth Policy Update
- Agency Contacts List
- Irrevocable Letter of Credit
- Floodplain Review Fees- Resolution 2025 -15 (PDF)
- Is there zoning in Stillwater County?
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The County recently adopted new Development Regulations and a new Development Permitting Process. View Stillwater County Final Zoning and Development Regulations (PDF).
- What do I need for a septic permit?
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Septic information can be obtained by calling the Environmental Health Department at 406-322-8055
- Are there any permits needed for development in Stillwater County?
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A Conditional Use Permit (PDF) is required for all new multi-family, planned unit developments, and commercial or industrial development. The Planning Office will then route the submitted form(s) to the internal permitting departments for comment and instructions to follow up if necessary with the County Sanitarian, Floodplain Administrator in Environmental Health, GIS/ Rural Addressing, and Road and Bridge Department. Please contact the State Building Code Bureau for all other building questions (electrical, plumbing, snow loads, etc.) at 406-841-2056.
- What is the Work Camp Plan Review Process in Stillwater County?
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Work Camps are facilities that are for the exclusive use of the employees and the employee’s family members of the person or company that owns or operates the facilities. Please fill out the DPHHS Work Camp Review Plan (PDF). Please also submit a completed Conditional Use Permit (PDF) to the Planning Office. If the proposed facility will be serving other individuals, you must complete a plan review for trailer courts, campgrounds, hotels, motels, and/or boarding houses.
- What are the stages to subdivide?
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Please refer to the Stillwater County 2022 Subdivision Regulations (PDF).
- What are the setbacks for Stillwater County?
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There are no setback regulations in Stillwater County for residential properties however, it is always in the property owner’s best interest to provide a setback, even if only minimal, from the property line to any structure. There is a minimum 10-foot setback for a Conditional Use Permit (PDF) for all new multi-family, planned unit developments, commercial or industrial development. View Stillwater County Final Zoning and Development Regulations (PDF).
- I want to subdivide my property, how do I do that?
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First, you’ll need to contact an engineer or surveyor. By contacting the Planning department you can request a list of consultants who typically do work in the area. Once you’ve contacted them you will need to develop a concept. Once a concept has been finalized, contact the Planning Office to schedule a pre-application meeting. At that time all details, forms applications, and processes will be identified based on the proposed concept.
- Is a Certificate of Survey a subdivision?
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No, typically COS’s are reviewed as exempt subdivisions. This means only staff review is required for filing.
- What are family transfers, mortgage surveys, boundary relocations, and other types of surveys?
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These are what are called exempt subdivisions. These require only staff review. There is a $200 review fee for all surveys submitted.
- Are there permits needed to build on a lot that is already subdivided?
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Please contact the necessary permitting offices in Stillwater County to see what permits are required:
- County Sanitarian and Floodplain Administrator in Environmental Health
- GIS/ Rural Addressing
- Road and Bridge Department
- My subdivision has preliminary plat approval, can I sell lots?
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No. Lots are not conveyable until a subdivision has reached Final Plat. In order to achieve Final Plat, all conditions of approval and improvements must be installed.
- My neighbor is doing something that isn’t allowed in the subdivision by covenants and restrictions, can the county help me enforce these issues?
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No. The County does not have the authority to enforce Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. These are private restrictions between the subdivision and its property owners.
- Is my home in the floodplain?
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Please contact the Stillwater County Certified Floodplain Manager at 406-322-8064 for more information or visit the FEMA Flood Map Service Center online.