What does “context-sensitive” mean?

“Context-sensitive” means new buildings should blend with the neighborhood around them—in size, scale, and overall look. The idea comes from city planning practices that focus on making growth blend in with its surroundings instead of standing out or replacing what’s there.

In Missoula’s new zoning code, this means new housing should match the feel of the area while still allowing more options. We do this by:

• Keeping apartment buildings similar in scale to surrounding homes.
• Setting rules for height so buildings fit comfortably with others in their neighborhood.
• Using new tools like Floor Area Ratio (FAR) to manage how big a building can be.
• Creating smooth transitions between different zoning areas, like stepping down from taller to shorter buildings.
• Supporting gentle infill—small, gradual changes like adding duplexes or cottage homes.

Context-sensitive development means growing in a way that fits—so neighborhoods can change over time without losing their character.