County Building Permits
Daniels County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Daniels County, Montana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Daniels County is NOT a certified local building code jurisdiction. Unincorporated areas fall under the state jurisdiction of the Montana Building Codes Program. The county Planning Board handles zoning and development review only. State permits are required for building work.
- Department
- Daniels County Planning Board / Montana Building Codes Program (State)
- Address
- 288 Sandhills Road, Dagmar, MT 59219
- Phone
- 406-483-5431 (County Planner) or 406-841-2056 (State Building Codes Program)
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Obtain construction plans prepared per Montana Building Code standards
- Download Building Permit/Plan Review Application from https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/permit-applications/building-permits/ or print from paper form
- Submit application with construction plans via EBIZ.MT.GOV online portal OR mail paper application to: Montana Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau, 301 S. Park Avenue, 4th Floor, Helena, MT
- Bureau performs plan review (average 3 weeks)
- Applicant receives written plan review comments and fee schedule via email or mail
- Applicant addresses all comments and returns written response
- Applicant pays permit fees
- Permit is issued
- Permit holder schedules inspections by calling state inspector at least 24 hours in advance
- Inspections are performed per code requirements (inspector has 72 hours from notification to perform inspection)
- Final inspection approval issued upon completion
Typical processing time: Average 3 weeks for plan review
Source: Daniels County Planning Board / Montana Building Codes Program (State)
General Requirements
State permits required for all buildings and structures, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work in unincorporated areas. County zoning approval required for subdivisions and major developments. Local zoning compliance required per 1983 Zoning Resolution.
Required Documents
- Construction plans meeting Montana Building Code standards
- Completed Building Permit/Plan Review Application
- Contractor license information
- Proof of ownership or authorization
- Building code
- Montana Building Code 2018 (based on International Building Code 2018 with Montana amendments). Montana Residential Code 2018 available for residential structures.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- 1-2% of construction valuation, calculated by Montana Building Codes Program
- Permit fee formula
- 1-2% of construction valuation
- Payment note
- Specific fee amount provided after plan review submission
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet
- Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height
- Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall (unless supporting a surcharge or impounding liquids)
- Work that does not violate any other state or county codes or ordinances
Important: Even exempt work must comply with all applicable zoning regulations and county development standards.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ()
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours in advance
- Time windows
- Inspector has 72 hours from notification to perform inspection
Typical inspection sequence: Footing/foundation inspection, framing inspection, rough-in inspections (plumbing, electrical, mechanical), final inspection upon completion. Sequence varies by project type.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Montana Building Code 2018 (based on International Building Code 2018 with Montana amendments). Montana Residential Code 2018 available for residential structures.
- 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 Daniels County Planning Board / Montana Building Codes Program (State) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Daniels County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Daniels County, MT?
- State permits required for all buildings and structures, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work in unincorporated areas. County zoning approval required for subdivisions and major developments. Local zoning compliance required per 1983 Zoning Resolution.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Daniels County, MT?
- The minimum permit fee is 1-2% of construction valuation, calculated by Montana Building Codes Program. Fees are calculated as: 1-2% of construction valuation.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Daniels County, MT?
- 1. Obtain construction plans prepared per Montana Building Code standards 2. Download Building Permit/Plan Review Application from https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/permit-applications/building-permits/ or print from paper form 3. Submit application with construction plans via EBIZ.MT.GOV online portal OR mail paper application to: Montana Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau, 301 S. Park Avenue, 4th Floor, Helena, MT 4. Bureau performs plan review (average 3 weeks) 5. Applicant receives written plan review comments and fee schedule via email or mail 6. Applicant addresses all comments and returns written response 7. Applicant pays permit fees 8. Permit is issued 9. Permit holder schedules inspections by calling state inspector at least 24 hours in advance 10. Inspections are performed per code requirements (inspector has 72 hours from notification to perform inspection) 11. Final inspection approval issued upon completion
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Daniels County, MT?
- Typical processing time is Average 3 weeks for plan review.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Daniels County, MT?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses) with floor area not exceeding 120 square feet; Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height; Retaining walls not exceeding 4 feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall (unless supporting a surcharge or impounding liquids); Work that does not violate any other state or county codes or ordinances. Note: Even exempt work must comply with all applicable zoning regulations and county development standards.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Daniels County, MT?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: . At least 24 hours in advance.
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