How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Carter County, MT?

Typical processing time is Average 3 weeks for plan review.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Carter County, MT?

The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings; Mining buildings on mining property; Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office and shop buildings); Residential buildings containing fewer than five dwelling units (excluding facilities serving transient guests); Private garages and private storage buildings for personal use only (not part of commercial enterprise); General finishing work such as painting and tiling. Note: Additional work may be exempt; inquiry to the bureau may be required to determine permit necessity

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Carter County, MT?

Inspections can be scheduled via: .

County Building Permits

Carter County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Carter County, Montana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Montana Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Carter County is NOT listed as a certified local building code jurisdiction. Therefore, unincorporated areas of Carter County (including Alzada, Albion, Boyes, Capitol, Hammond, Mill Iron, Ridge, Ridgeway, and other unincorporated communities) fall under the jurisdiction of the State Building Codes Bureau for building permit administration and inspection.

Department: Montana Building Codes Program (Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau), Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division
Address: 301 S Park Avenue, 4th Floor, Helena, MT 59620
Phone: (406) 841-2056
Email: buildingcodes@mt.gov
Website: https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/

Online Permit Portal

Open EBIZ.MT.GOV Online Portal

Platform: • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

Access the EBIZ.MT.GOV online portal at https://ebiz.mt.gov/
Create account or log in (if existing user)
Complete Building Permit/Plan Review Application
Upload or attach construction plans showing compliance with Montana 2021 IBC
Submit application and plans via portal
State Building Codes Program reviews plans (average 3 weeks for review)
Applicant receives plan review comments and fee estimate via email/mail
Address all plan review comments in writing and submit revisions
Pay required permit fees to State
Building permit is issued
Applicant notifies assigned state inspector when work is ready for inspection
Inspector performs required inspections at designated stages
Final inspection and certificate of issuance

Typical processing time: Average 3 weeks for plan review

Source: Montana Building Codes Program (Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau), Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division

General Requirements

Prior to start of construction for any building being built, remodeled, moved, or undergoing change of occupancy (except exempt categories)

Required Documents

Construction plans
Building Permit/Plan Review Application form
Commercial building checklist (for commercial projects)
Proof of plan review completion

Building code: Montana 2021 Edition International Building Code (IBC 2021), including International Residential Code (IRC 2021), International Existing Building Code (IEBC 2021), and related mechanical, plumbing, electrical, energy, and fuel gas codes (all effective June 11, 2022; adopted via Administrative Rules of Montana ARM Title 24, Chapter 301)

Fees

Payment note: Contact building codes bureau at (406) 841-2056 or buildingcodes@mt.gov for current fee structure

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Farm and ranch buildings
Mining buildings on mining property
Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office and shop buildings)
Residential buildings containing fewer than five dwelling units (excluding facilities serving transient guests)
Private garages and private storage buildings for personal use only (not part of commercial enterprise)
General finishing work such as painting and tiling

Important: Additional work may be exempt; inquiry to the bureau may be required to determine permit necessity

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Typical inspection sequence: Typical inspection sequence: Foundation/footing, framing, rough-in systems (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC), insulation/fire-stopping, final inspection before certificate of occupancy

Additional Resources

Building code: Montana 2021 Edition International Building Code (IBC 2021), including International Residential Code (IRC 2021), International Existing Building Code (IEBC 2021), and related mechanical, plumbing, electrical, energy, and fuel gas codes (all effective June 11, 2022; adopted via Administrative Rules of Montana ARM Title 24, Chapter 301)
Montana Building Codes Program main page
Building Permit FAQ
Is a State Building Permit Needed?
Inspection Areas & Contact Information
Certified Local Government Programs list
Montana Building Codes Council
EBIZ.MT.GOV portal
License lookup guide: Montana Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Montana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Montana hub: Montana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Montana Building Codes Program (Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau), Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carter County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Carter County, MT?: Prior to start of construction for any building being built, remodeled, moved, or undergoing change of occupancy (except exempt categories)
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Carter County, MT?: 1. Access the EBIZ.MT.GOV online portal at https://ebiz.mt.gov/ 2. Create account or log in (if existing user) 3. Complete Building Permit/Plan Review Application 4. Upload or attach construction plans showing compliance with Montana 2021 IBC 5. Submit application and plans via portal 6. State Building Codes Program reviews plans (average 3 weeks for review) 7. Applicant receives plan review comments and fee estimate via email/mail 8. Address all plan review comments in writing and submit revisions 9. Pay required permit fees to State 10. Building permit is issued 11. Applicant notifies assigned state inspector when work is ready for inspection 12. Inspector performs required inspections at designated stages 13. Final inspection and certificate of issuance
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Carter County, MT?: Typical processing time is Average 3 weeks for plan review.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Carter County, MT?: The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings; Mining buildings on mining property; Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office and shop buildings); Residential buildings containing fewer than five dwelling units (excluding facilities serving transient guests); Private garages and private storage buildings for personal use only (not part of commercial enterprise); General finishing work such as painting and tiling. Note: Additional work may be exempt; inquiry to the bureau may be required to determine permit necessity
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Carter County, MT?: Inspections can be scheduled via: .

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Carter County Unincorporated Areas can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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