Big Sky Zoning

Property owners in Big Sky should be familiar with the Gallatin Canyon/Big Sky Zoning District regulations.

Big Sky Zoning Districts

Big Sky is a census-designated place (CDP). Portions of the Big Sky area are in Gallatin County, while other areas of Big Sky are in Madison County.

Big Sky County Map

Big Sky Gallatin Canyon Zoning District

Big Sky Zoning District Map

Big Sky Resort Area Districts

The Big Sky Resort Area District levies a local 3% sales tax passed in 1992 to improve the community of Big Sky. Since its inception, the money raised from the tax has played a significant role in the funding of services and programs including tourism development, infrastructure facilities, post office services, ambulance and emergency services, public transportation systems, parks and trails, community library, and other services that provide for the public health, safety and welfare within the Big Sky Resort Area District. For more information visit The Big Sky Resort Tax.

Big Sky Fire Department

The Big Sky Fire Department was established in 1979 and serves over 55 square miles in the Big Sky area. As a full service combination department, they provide ALS emergency medical services, structural and wildland fire suppression, hazardous materials incident response and rescue services. In addition, the Big Sky Fire Deparment performs building and development plan review and inspection, first aid and CPR education, fire prevention and fire saftey education and assists the community by providing defensible space education for properties in our wildland urban interface environment. For more information visit Big Sky Fire Department.

Big Sky Transportation District

The Big Sky Transportation District was created in 1991 to supply transportation services and facilities to the Big Sky community during its busy winter season. Under the direction of the Big Sky Transportation District Board and with support from the Western Transportation Institute, the Big Sky Community enjoys the “Skyline” transit system which provides year-round public transportation services within Big Sky and to Bozeman. For more information visit Skyline Bus.

Big Sky Parks District

The Big Sky Parks District is dedicated to the creation and implementation of recreation programs and for the creation, acquisition, establishment, operation, improvement, funding and maintenance of parks, trails and recreation in the greater Big Sky area. This includes, but is not limited to, parks, athletic facilities, ball fields, trails, restrooms, picnic shelters and campgrounds. The entity consists of two special districts, one in Gallatin County and the other in Madison County, whose operations are linked by an inter local agreement. For more information visit Big Sky Meadow Trails, Recreation & Parks Special District.

Big Sky School District #72

The Big Sky School District includes K-12 education. Schools are Ophir Elementary, Ophir Middle School, and Lone Peak High School. Home to 300 students in grades K-12, Ophir has been in existence for over 100 years and is well-known for experiential place-based learning. The Ophir School District is governed by a five-member Board of Trustees. The Board’s powers and duties include the broad authority to adopt and enforce all necessary policies for the management and government of Ophir School. For more information visit Big Sky School District.

Gallatin Local Water Quality District

The Gallatin Local Water Quality District was created to protect, preserve and improve ground water and surface water quality within the jurisdiction of the District (which includes Big Sky). Staffed by Gallatin County through a uniform fee paid by all improved properties, the District is governed by an appointed Board of nine Directors. The focus of the Gallatin Local Water Quality District is on water resources education and water quality monitoring for increased awareness of water-related issues and public health. For more information visit Gallatin Local Water Quality District.

Big Sky Water & Sewer District #363

The Big Sky Water & Sewer District was created in 1993 as a special purpose unit of government organized to regulate and operate the water and sewer systems in Big Sky. The Big Sky Water & Sewer District district is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. Board meetings are held monthly at the district office, generally on the third Tuesday of each month, and the public is welcome. For more information visit Big Sky Water & Sewer District #363.

Road Improvement District

Neighborhood roadways in Big Sky are repaired and maintained through a variety of Road Improvement Districts (RID) that are overseen by the respective County government, and managed by engineering contractors. Other roads in Big Sky are maintained through collective road associations or are privately managed. For instance, winter road maintenance (including snow removal and sanding) in the jurisdiction of the Big Sky Owners Association is paid directly by owner assessments and is managed by the Big Sky Owners Association. All private drives are maintained by the property owner.

Gallatin/Big Sky Noxious Weed Committee

Organized under the Northern Rocky Resource Conservation & Development Council, the Committee is a citizen-led volunteer committee actively working to combat invasive plant species in the Big Sky Community and along the Gallatin River Corridor. By bringing federal, state, and local partners together, the Committee has facilitated a successful multi-faceted campaign against noxious weeds that includes education/outreach, weed pulls, one-on-one landowner assistance, and weed mapping and monitoring.