Bozeman’s New City Charter Passed. Here’s What Changes and When.

Summary: Bozeman voters approved an amended city charter on November 3, 2026, by about 70%. It takes effect in July 2027, and starting with the 2029 election, the City Commission grows from four members to six, commissioners are elected by ward and the mayor serves a full four-year term.

Unofficial results show it passing 14,404 to 6,230, per the Montana Secretary of State.

What is the Bozeman city charter?

Think of it as the city’s rulebook. It decides who sits on the City Commission and how they’re elected. It doesn’t set zoning or taxes.

This is the first update since 2006. In 2024, Bozeman voters agreed it was time for another look and elected five residents to a study commission to write it.

What changes with Bozeman’s new city charter?

• More commissioners: Six commissioners and a mayor, up from four.
• Wards: Commissioners will have to live in the part of town they represent. The whole city still votes for mayor.
• A four-year mayor: No more serving two years as deputy mayor first.
• Neighborhoods: The city will have a full-time staff member working with neighborhood associations.

What doesn’t change: the city manager still runs things day to day, and no one currently in office loses their seat.

When the new charter kicks in

Don’t expect changes at City Hall right away. The charter takes effect July 1, 2027, but you’ll see the biggest changes in the 2029 city election, and the first mayor elected to a full four-year term takes office in January 2030.

Want a say? The Study Commission meets November 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bozeman City Hall to plan how to roll it out, according to KBZK.

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