Montana Title 67. Aeronautics § 67-7-303. Variance

(1) A person intending to erect or increase the height of a structure, permit the growth of a tree, or use property in a manner that is not in accordance with the requirements of the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter may apply to the governing body or an enforcement officer appointed for this purpose by the governing body for a variance from the regulations.

(2) If an enforcement officer has been appointed by the governing body, the decision of the officer is final unless it is appealed to either the governing body or the airport appeals board, if one exists.

(3) A variance must be granted when a literal application or enforcement of the regulations would result in substantial practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and when the variance would not be contrary to the public interest.

(4) A variance must be granted for a nonconforming use when there is no immediate hazard to safe flying operations or to persons and property in the vicinity of the airport and when the noise or vibrations from normal and anticipated normal airport operations would not be likely to cause damage to structures.

(5) A variance granted under this section may require the owner of a structure or tree to allow the political subdivision, at the owner's expense, to install, operate, and maintain the lights and markers necessary to warn pilots of the presence of an airport hazard.

(6) A person who builds a structure pursuant to a variance from the airport affected area regulations or who takes or buys property in an airport affected area for which a variance has been granted is on notice that the airport existed before the variance was granted and that normal and anticipated normal operations of the airport will result in noise, vibrations, and fumes being projected over the property. A person using a structure built pursuant to a variance may not collect damages from a governing body or local government or from an airport authority, airport operator, or airport owner for interference with the enjoyment of that structure caused by noise, vibrations, and fumes from normal and anticipated normal airport operations.