Missoula County adopts revised floodplain permit fees to better match review costs

Missoula County’s board on June 11 adopted a revised schedule of floodplain development permit fees that staff said better reflects the time and resources required to review small-scale projects and to maintain compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Matt Himl, floodplain administrator and county planner, explained state statute and NFIP rules permit local governments to impose reasonable fees related to review services. Staff recommended breaking small-scale permit types into several categories so fees align with review effort, documentation and inspection needs; several small-scale fees would be reduced from levels that previously exceeded roughly $1,000.

The board heard brief public comment in support of reduced accessory-structure fees and discussed program administration. A motion to adopt the revised fee schedule passed on a voice vote. The revised fees are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026; the Planning, Development and Sustainability Department will publish the updated schedule and implement the changes.

Staff noted that floodplain review serves public interests by minimizing flood impacts, evaluating cumulative development effects, maintaining awareness of flood hazards, and helping sustain compliance with NFIP minimum standards.