The 2016 Missoula County Growth Policy is an official public document guiding future social, physical, environmental, and economic growth and development of the county. The land use designations map is an important piece of the growth policy used as the policy foundation for making decisions on land use issues. The map and associated text is a visual and written description of the desired future character of land use in the community. Each land use designation describe places with similar goals, characteristics, uses, and mobility considerations.

The land use designation map was originally adopted as part of the 1975 Missoula County Comprehensive Plan and has been updated in portions of the county over time through the adoption of other area plans. The map was most recently updated to the map occurred on June 6, 2019 when the 2019 Missoula Area Land Use Element area plan was adopted by the Missoula Board of County Commissioners. This feature class displays the polygon features for each land use designation shown on the map, except for areas are annexed into the City of Missoula. The attributes for each feature include the land use designation name, the area plan under which it was adopted, and the number of residential dwelling units per acre allowed under that designation.