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Last week, Whitefish adopted its new Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map—the city will begin to work on updating its zoning and subdivision ordinances to comply with state law this week. Kalispell adopted its new state law-compliant zoning and subdivision ordinances on a first reading, and Columbia Falls’ City Council took a first look at its draft Future Land Use Map and consultant recommendations. This is your Monday primer about land use in Flathead County. Read below to learn more about what happened last week and what’s happening this week. In the news: After three years of contentious conversations, countless pages of public comment and division among local advocacy groups, the Whitefish city council on Monday night gave its final stamp of approval to the planning document that will guide city growth over the next 20 years — a feat that garnered applause from meeting attendees and a collective exhale from city staff. The final version of the growth policy unanimously approved by councilors, however, features a reversal of edits made earlier this month after Sen. Ellie Boldman, D-Missoula, sent a letter to the city asserting the planning document side-steps legal requirements set by the state in what she characterized as an “evasion mechanism.”
DEQ Extends Public Comment Period for Phase Two of Lakeside Sewer District Project Kalispell Adopts New Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Whitefish City Council Gives Final OK to Growth Policy Montana GOP Asks Court to Strike Down Entirety of Gianforte-backed Property Tax Law Flathead Valley Builders Adapt to Rising Costs as Demand Remains Strong Kalispell City Council revisits Main Street Safety Action Plan as federal funding returns Parking board recommends higher fines, new technology to enforce rules in downtown Kalispell Flathead County commissioners approve renewal for nearly finished Tamarack Meadows in Columbia Falls Kalispell Business Improvement District funds planting of 12 new trees downtown Kalispell City Council adopts sweeping zoning reforms, eliminates public hearings on subdivisions Local & Regional News (Flathead County & Montana) 1) Flathead County Home Sales Spike Despite Price Drops According to Redfin's mid-April 2026 update, Flathead County witnessed a massive 52.9% year-over-year surge in the number of homes sold. Interestingly, this spike in volume comes as the median sale price dropped 19.1% year-over-year to $592,450. The data suggests that local sellers adjusting their pricing expectations are successfully attracting eager buyers off the sidelines. (Source: Redfin Flathead County Market Insight) 2) Whitefish Real Estate Bucks the Cooling Trend While the broader county saw price dips, a late April 2026 Redfin report highlights that the Whitefish (59937) market is surging with a median sale price of $1.19 million—a sharp 31.2% increase since last year. However, total transaction volume slightly slowed with homes spending roughly 135 days on the market. This highlights a highly segmented local market where luxury resort towns are behaving vastly differently from surrounding areas. (Source: Redfin Whitefish Market Insight) 3) Montana Statewide Rent Climbs Amid Rising Housing Inventory Realtor.com's latest April 2026 Montana report shows the state's median home list price holding steady at $595,000, supported by a 14.6% year-over-year increase in active listings. While home shoppers are gaining more choices, renters face growing pressure as the median statewide rent climbed 7.29% to $1,928 per month. This divergence suggests that prospective buyers who remain priced out of purchasing are inadvertently driving up competition in the rental market. (Source: Realtor.com Montana State Report) US National Housing News 1) National Mortgage Rates Pivot to 5-Week Low In a crucial shift for the spring 2026 buying season, Realtor.com reported on April 24 that average mortgage rates finally dipped to 6.23%. This pullback coincides with a 12.9% year-over-year jump in new listings during mid-April, offering a desperately needed boost to housing inventory. The combination of easing borrowing costs and growing supply is expected to create a much more navigable environment for frustrated homebuyers. (Source: Realtor.com Weekly Housing Trends) 2) Zillow Revises 2026 Home Value Forecast Downward In its latest April 2026 research report, Zillow tempered its expectations for the national housing market, projecting a near-flat 0.3% increase in home values by December. The firm anticipates existing home sales will reach 3.73 million this year, as stubborn inflation limits how much further mortgage rates can drop. Though inventory is growing, these macroeconomic headwinds mean buyers and sellers alike should expect a balanced, slow-moving market through the remainder of the year. (Source: Zillow Home Value & Sales Forecast)
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