Missoula Advances Complete Streets Policy Update
City staff unveiled a revised policy shifting focus toward accessibility, with a final council vote set for November 16.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Utilities
Live Poll
Should Missoula prioritize accessibility over other uses when building city streets?
Missoula City Council advanced its Complete Streets Policy toward a final vote after city staff unveiled a revised version that shifts focus toward accessibility. The council also gave initial approval to launch a study of city utility rate costs.
Why it matters
The revised policy removes the housing production priority carried over from the Unified Development Code, a change that some pedestrian advocates said had diluted attention on proving safe sidewalks and trails. Residents who rely on city sidewalks and trails will see how the final policy balances accessibility against other planning goals.
The Complete Streets Policy was first adopted in 2009 and last updated in 2016, when it earned a perfect score from the National Safe Streets Coalition. The city's most recent utility rate cost study dates to 2019, and results of the new study have not yet been released.
The players
Missoula City Council
The elected legislative body of Missoula, Montana, which is weighing the policy revision and approving the utility rate cost study.
Andrea Davis
The Mayor of Missoula, who recently created an internal task force to review existing accessibility projects in the city.
National Safe Streets Coalition
An organization that awarded the city's 2016 Complete Streets Policy update a perfect score for its street safety standards.
The details
The council tabled the policy proposal in September before city staff unveiled a revised version on November 4 that calls for universal design standards for pedestrian facilities. The revised policy also states it cannot reduce existing accessibility levels in areas with new development, and Mayor Andrea Davis recently created an internal task force to review existing accessibility projects.
Timeline
2009: The Complete Streets Policy was first adopted by the city.
2016: The policy was last updated and received a perfect score from the National Safe Streets Coalition.
September 2026: The council tabled the policy proposal.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: City staff unveiled the revised policy and the council gave initial approvals.
Monday, November 16, 2026: The council is scheduled to take a final vote on the policy update.
Market Landscape
Missoula's revised Complete Streets Policy follows its 2009 adoption and 2016 update, which earned a perfect score from the National Safe Streets Coalition. The shift from a housing-production priority toward accessibility marks a departure from the framework the 2016 update established.
The final policy will determine how sidewalks, trails, and pedestrian facilities are designed and maintained across Missoula. Residents near new development will be affected by the rule that existing accessibility cannot be reduced in those areas.
The takeaway
Residents who use Missoula's sidewalks and trails should watch the November 16 council vote, since it will set the accessibility standards that apply to new and existing pedestrian routes. Tracking the outcome of the utility rate cost study can also help households anticipate future city utility charges.
What happens next
The Missoula City Council will take a final vote on the Complete Streets Policy update on Monday, November 16, 2026.
Further reading
For more on how the city manages its infrastructure, see Utilities coverage for Missoula.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Missoulian.
Live Poll
Should Missoula prioritize accessibility over other uses when building city streets?
