Community Technical Assistance

Program Overview

The Community Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) provides professional planning assistance to communities across Montana in support of sound land use and development decisions, economic revitalization, and overall community resilience. Technical assistance is provided through workshops and trainings, direct assistance by phone or email, collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, the creation of model documents, and guidance on planning best practices.

CTAP staff include a land use attorney, professional planners, planning and outreach specialists, and licensed engineers who assist communities in everything from the development of long range plans to interpretation of statute to guidance on grant applications and review of technical documents. This assistance is provided at no cost to communities statewide.

Planning is at the foundation of building vibrant, healthy and prosperous communities and helps to more effectively take local efforts to the next level. CTAP assists Montana communities proactively prepare for critical development needs and promote economic vitality through grants, direct assistance, workshops and more. We can help connect you to resources that will enhance local innovative approaches to plan for and create better places, strong economic opportunities and best practices for your community.

Please use the CTAP contact form to submit a request for community needs, projects or planning assistance.

Purpose

The mission of the Community Technical Assistance Program is to provide technical assistance to encourage planning and sustainable development in Montana communities by working with local governments, planning departments, private developers, non-profit organizations, and the public. CTAP assists communities statewide through research and by providing both technical and legal guidance, education, and training.

Services

CTAP staff work with local governments and the public on long range planning issues and assisting in the development and adoption process of land use plans and regulations. CTAP staff also provides legal guidance and professional insight on planning topics such as subdivision regulations, zoning, and annexations. They assist developers, surveyors, engineers, and planners to interpret statute and understand case law governing land use planning in Montana. Staff review plans and regulations to ensure compliance with statute, programmatic requirements, and to encourage professional best practices, while also conducting research regarding local or statewide land use planning issues or questions.

• Long range community planning
•  Subdivision regulations and review
•  Zoning regulations and administration
• Drinking water and wastewater treatment systems
• Transportation: bridges, streets/roads, multi-modal
• Stormwater management
• Planning best practices and tools of the trade
• Exemption review and certificates of survey

• Direct assistance via phone, email, in person, or online contact form.
• Review of and guidance on draft engineering, planning, and regulatory documents
• Creation of model documents and planning resource publications for use statewide
• Advice on navigating ARMs and statutes
• On-site training workshops
• Resource library
• GIS mapping