Department Of Commerce

Program Overview

Planning is the foundation of vibrant, healthy and prosperous communities. The Community Technical Assistance Program empowers communities by helping them envision and achieve plans for sustainable growth, economic development and overall community resilience. CTAP staff and contracted consultants deliver technical assistance and professional land use expertise through:

  • Workshops and training for planning boards and other community leaders
  • Coordination with local, state and federal partners
  • Compilation of data, model documents and guidance on planning best practices for comprehensive planning

CTAP’s licensed professional planners, outreach specialists and contracted consulting firms work with clients to develop growth policies, subdivision and zoning regulations, capital improvement plans, downtown master plans, needs assessments and other planning activities. CTAP staff provide training, interpretation of statutes and review of technical documents, all at no cost.

Submit a CTAP request at commerce.mt.gov/contact.

Purpose

 

Mission Statement

The Montana Department of Commerce’s Community Technical Assistance Program provides professional expertise, tools, and resources to help Montana communities plan for sustainable growth and economic development.

Vision Statement

Montana communities are empowered to shape their own futures through intentional, long-range planning.

Services

CTAP staff are experienced in comprehensive community-based and long-range planning as well as in the development and adoption of land use plans and regulations. Additionally, CTAP staff give professional insight on subdivision regulations, zoning and annexations. The CTAP team helps developers, surveyors, engineers and planners interpret Montana’s land use planning statutes. Staff review plans and regulations to ensure compliance with statute and programmatic requirements; encourage professional best practices; and conduct research on local or statewide land use planning.

Areas of expertise:
  • Long-range, comprehensive community planning
  • Land use planning statutes
  • Growth policies, subdivision regulations, zoning and downtown master plans
  • Funding opportunities for community projects, including drinking water and wastewater treatment systems
  • Improvements to bridges, roads, trails and multi-modal transportation
  • Montana Land Use Planning Act
  • Best practices and tools of the trade
  • Exemption review, annexation policies and certificates of survey
How we can help:
  • Consultation via phone, email, in-person or via the online contact form
  • Review and guidance on planning and regulatory documents
  • Creation of model documents and planning resource publications for statewide use
  • Advice on navigating Administrative Rule Making and Montana statutes
  • Community Planning Platform
  • On-site training, presentations and workshops
  • GIS mapping
The Community Planning Platform is a clearinghouse for planning and research resources to be used by planners and local leaders in Montana communities. The platform includes access to community data resources and community profiles, data, maps, training, guidance and other tools.
Community Planning Documents and Guidance
Community Planning Platform
Lead Service Lines
Legal Updates
Mapping and Analysis
Presentations, Publications and Model Documents
Useful Links