76-2-412. Relationship of foster homes, youth group homes, community residential facilities, and day-care homes to zoning. (1) A foster or youth group home operated under the provisions of 41-3-1141 through 41-3-1143 or a community residential facility serving 8 or fewer persons is considered a residential use of property for purposes of zoning if the home provides care on a 24-hour-a-day basis.
     (2) A family day-care home or a group day-care home registered by the department of public health and human services under Title 52, chapter 2, part 7, is considered a residential use of property for purposes of zoning.
     (3) The facilities listed in subsections (1) and (2) are a permitted use in all residential zones, including but not limited to residential zones for single-family dwellings. Any safety or sanitary regulation of the department of public health and human services or any other agency of the state or a political subdivision of the state that is not applicable to residential occupancies in general may not be applied to a community residential facility serving 8 or fewer persons or to a day-care home serving 12 or fewer children.
     (4) This section may not be construed to prohibit a city or county from requiring a conditional use permit in order to maintain a home pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) if the home is licensed by the department of public health and human services. A city or county may not require a conditional use permit in order to maintain a day-care home registered by the department of public health and human services.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 350, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 129, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 11-2702.2; MCA 1981, ; redes. by Code Commissioner, 1983; amd. Sec. 29, Ch. 465, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 181, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 237, Ch. 418, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 546, Ch. 546, L. 1995.