Cascade County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Cascade County has a two-layer permit system. The Cascade County Planning and GIS Department administers zoning regulations, floodplain permits, and subdivision review. Building code enforcement is handled by the Montana DLI Building Codes Program (state jurisdiction).

Department

Cascade County Planning and GIS Department (for zoning); Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Building Codes Program (for building codes)

Address

121 4th Street N, Suite 2H/I, Great Falls, MT 59401

Phone

406-454-6905

Website

https://www.cascadecountymt.gov/245/Planning-GIS

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Contact the Cascade County Planning and GIS Department at 406-454-6905 to confirm whether your property is within the zoning jurisdictional area and what permit type applies.
2. Download the Location/Conformance Permit (zoning) application from https://www.cascadecountymt.gov/262/Forms-Permit-Applications or pick up in person at 121 4th Street N, Suite 2H/I, Great Falls.
3. Prepare required documents: application form, site plan, property description, description of proposed use or structure.
4. Submit the completed zoning application in person during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-Noon and 1-5 p.m.) or via the online form portal.
5. The Zoning Administrator reviews and issues the Location/Conformance (L/C) Permit.
6. For commercial or non-exempt building code work, apply separately through the Montana DLI portal at https://ebiz.mt.gov/ or by mailing to the Helena office.
7. Submit state DLI application with construction plans and Building Permit/Plan Review Application.
8. DLI will send a screening letter and fee notification. Fees must be paid before plan review begins.
9. Plan review typically takes 2-3 weeks for complete submissions. Respond to any comments and resubmit corrections as required.
10. Notify the Cascade County state inspector (406-439-2982) when work is ready for required inspections.

Typical processing time: County L/C Permit: varies (contact 406-454-6905). State DLI plan review: 2-3 weeks for complete submittals.

Source: Cascade County Planning and GIS Department (for zoning); Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Building Codes Program (for building codes)

General Requirements

Per CCZR Section 9.2.1, a Location/Conformance Permit is required for all proposed buildings, structures, signs, land uses, and changes in land use within the Zoning Jurisdictional Area. This includes sheds, garages, new businesses, and changes of use. For commercial or non-exempt construction, a separate state DLI building permit is required.

Required Documents

• Location/Conformance Permit application form (for zoning)
• Site plan
• Property description
• Proposed use or structure description
• Floodplain application (if in a FEMA flood hazard zone)
• For state DLI permits: construction plans and Building Permit/Plan Review Application

Permit validity

Not publicly documented for county zoning; contact 406-454-6905. For state DLI permits, contact (406) 841-2056.

Building code

The county Planning Department does not enforce building codes. Building code enforcement is handled by Montana DLI (state jurisdiction). Montana Building Codes Program adopts International Building Codes. See https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/current-codes

Owner-builder

Not applicable to county zoning L/C Permit. State residential exemptions apply; contact DLI for specifics.

Contractor requirements

Not administered by the county Planning Department. Montana state contractor registration requirements apply. Contractors with employees must register with Montana DLI ($70 fee). Independent contractors with no employees must obtain an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC). Projects over $2,500 in contract value trigger registration requirements.

Fees

Plan check fee

County does not review building plans. State DLI plan check is included in overall permit fee structure.

Permit fee formula

Zoning (county): not confirmed in available sources. State DLI building permits: approximately 1-2% of building valuation.

Payment note

County zoning fees: contact Planning Department at 406-454-6905. State DLI fees: communicated via screening letter after application submission; payment required before plan review proceeds.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 12, 2022).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Non-commercial structures 200 square feet or less (county exemption under CCZR Section 9.2.3)
• Farm and ranch buildings (state exemption)
• Mining buildings on mining property (state exemption)
• Residential buildings with fewer than 5 dwelling units, including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes (state exemption)
• Private garages and private storage buildings used for the owner's personal use, not part of a commercial operation (state exemption)
• Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills, excluding office/shop buildings (state exemption)

Important: Even exempt structures must comply with county zoning regulations and must obtain a Location/Conformance Permit if located within the zoning jurisdictional area. Confirm exemption status with the Planning Department at 406-454-6905.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Cascade County state inspector: 406-439-2982 (phone)
• DLI main line: (406) 841-2056 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Call at least 24 hours before desired inspection. Inspector has 72 hours from notification to perform inspection.

Inspection hours

Contact inspector to confirm availability

Typical inspection sequence: Follows adopted building code inspection requirements for the specific permit type. Typical sequence: footing, framing, rough-in, final, etc.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The county Planning Department does not enforce building codes. Building code enforcement is handled by Montana DLI (state jurisdiction). Montana Building Codes Program adopts International Building Codes. See https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/current-codes
• Verify contractor license: Montana Contractor Registration
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Cascade County Zoning Regulations
• Cascade County Floodplain Permits
• State Fire Marshal (Area 2)
• Montana DLI Inspection Areas and Contacts
• Montana DLI Building Codes Program
• License lookup guide: Montana Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Montana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Montana hub: Montana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Cascade County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cascade County, MT?

Per CCZR Section 9.2.1, a Location/Conformance Permit is required for all proposed buildings, structures, signs, land uses, and changes in land use within the Zoning Jurisdictional Area. This includes sheds, garages, new businesses, and changes of use. For commercial or non-exempt construction, a separate state DLI building permit is required.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cascade County, MT?

Fees are calculated as: Zoning (county): not confirmed in available sources. State DLI building permits: approximately 1-2% of building valuation.. Plan check fee: County does not review building plans. State DLI plan check is included in overall permit fee structure..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cascade County, MT?

1. Contact the Cascade County Planning and GIS Department at 406-454-6905 to confirm whether your property is within the zoning jurisdictional area and what permit type applies. 2. Download the Location/Conformance Permit (zoning) application from https://www.cascadecountymt.gov/262/Forms-Permit-Applications or pick up in person at 121 4th Street N, Suite 2H/I, Great Falls. 3. Prepare required documents: application form, site plan, property description, description of proposed use or structure. 4. Submit the completed zoning application in person during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-Noon and 1-5 p.m.) or via the online form portal. 5. The Zoning Administrator reviews and issues the Location/Conformance (L/C) Permit. 6. For commercial or non-exempt building code work, apply separately through the Montana DLI portal at https://ebiz.mt.gov/ or by mailing to the Helena office. 7. Submit state DLI application with construction plans and Building Permit/Plan Review Application. 8. DLI will send a screening letter and fee notification. Fees must be paid before plan review begins. 9. Plan review typically takes 2-3 weeks for complete submissions. Respond to any comments and resubmit corrections as required. 10. Notify the Cascade County state inspector (406-439-2982) when work is ready for required inspections.

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

Typical processing time is County L/C Permit: varies (contact 406-454-6905). State DLI plan review: 2-3 weeks for complete submittals..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Non-commercial structures 200 square feet or less (county exemption under CCZR Section 9.2.3); Farm and ranch buildings (state exemption); Mining buildings on mining property (state exemption); Residential buildings with fewer than 5 dwelling units, including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes (state exemption); Private garages and private storage buildings used for the owner's personal use, not part of a commercial operation (state exemption); Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills, excluding office/shop buildings (state exemption). Note: Even exempt structures must comply with county zoning regulations and must obtain a Location/Conformance Permit if located within the zoning jurisdictional area. Confirm exemption status with the Planning Department at 406-454-6905.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Cascade County state inspector: 406-439-2982, DLI main line: (406) 841-2056. Call at least 24 hours before desired inspection. Inspector has 72 hours from notification to perform inspection..