Internal prototype — noindexed, not linked from public navigation yet.

Mont. Code Ann. § 10-1-1515

This is the official text of Mont. Code Ann. § 10-1-1515, part of Montana’s Code Ann — part of the compiled statutory law of Montana, published by the state as "Code Ann." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

10-1-1515 Variance

Official statutory text

10-1-1515 . Variance. (1) A person intending to erect or increase the height of a structure or use property in a manner that is not in accordance with the requirements of the regulations adopted pursuant to this part may apply to the governing body or an enforcement officer appointed for this purpose by the governing body for a variance from the regulations.

(2) If an enforcement officer has been appointed by the governing body, the decision of the officer is final unless it is appealed to either the governing body or the military affected area appeals board, if one exists.

(3) A variance must be granted when a literal application or enforcement of the regulations would result in substantial practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and when the variance would not be contrary to military missions.

(4) A variance must be granted for a nonconforming use when there is no immediate hazard to safe flying operations or to persons and property in the vicinity of the military affected area and when the noise or vibrations from normal and anticipated normal military operations would not be likely to cause damage to structures.

(5) A variance granted under this section may require the owner of a structure to allow the political subdivision, at the owner's expense, to install, operate, and maintain the lights and markers necessary to warn pilots of the presence of a military affected area hazard.

(6) A person who builds a structure pursuant to a variance from the military affected area regulations or who takes or buys property in a military affected area for which a variance has been granted is considered to be aware that the military affected area existed before the variance was granted and that normal and anticipated normal military operations may result in noise, vibrations, and fumes being projected over the property. A person using a structure built pursuant to a variance may not seek damages from a governing body, a local government, or the federal government for interference with the enjoyment of that structure caused by noise, vibrations, and fumes from normal and anticipated normal military operations.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

Need a lawyer in Montana?

Find a Montana lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.