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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Dawson County
A Zoning Compliance Permit is required for any construction (new structure, addition, alteration, or relocation) within the Highland Park or Forest Park zoned districts. State building permits are required for commercial, institutional, and multi-family (5+ units) structures anywhere in unincorporated Dawson County not served by a certified local program.
Single-family residential buildings (1-4 dwelling units, no transient guests) in unincorporated areas
Farm and ranch buildings on agricultural property
Private garages and storage buildings used solely for the owner's personal use (not part of a commercial enterprise)
Mining buildings on mining property regulated under Title 82, MCA
Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (excluding office and shop buildings)
Minor repairs and maintenance that do not affect structural elements or life-safety systems
Land outside zoned districts (Highland Park, Forest Park) has no local zoning permit requirement
- Exempt Single-family residential buildings (1-4 dwelling units, no transient guests) in unincorporated areas
- Exempt Farm and ranch buildings on agricultural property
- Exempt Private garages and storage buildings used solely for the owner's personal use (not part of a commercial enterprise)
- Exempt Mining buildings on mining property regulated under Title 82, MCA
- Exempt Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (excluding office and shop buildings)
- Exempt Minor repairs and maintenance that do not affect structural elements or life-safety systems
- Exempt Land outside zoned districts (Highland Park, Forest Park) has no local zoning permit requirement
Note: Single-family residential exemptions apply only outside Highland Park and Forest Park zoned subdivisions. Within those zoned areas, a Zoning Compliance Permit is required even for single-family residential construction.
Required documents
- Zoning Compliance Permit: application form, site plan showing setbacks and lot lines, description of proposed work
- State BCB permit: complete construction plans, Building Permit/Plan Review Application form (available at bsd.dli.mt.gov), project valuation
- Building code
- Unincorporated Dawson County defers to state codes. Montana currently enforces the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, all effective June 11, 2022, with Montana ARM Title 24, Chapter 301 amendments.
- Permit validity
- State permits typically expire if work does not commence within 180 days or if construction is suspended more than 180 days; county permit validity not publicly specified.
- Owner-builder
- Montana does not restrict owner-builders from constructing their own single-family residence. For commercial or state-permitted work, the property owner may apply; licensed design professionals (engineer or architect) are required for publicly-owned buildings and non-conventional or high-load structures.
- Contractor requirements
- Montana requires contractors performing work valued over $2,500 to register with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (Construction Contractor Registration, $70 fee). Electrical contractors must hold a state electrical license; plumbing contractors must hold a state plumbing license. No additional local contractor licensing is required in unincorporated Dawson County.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: State BCB averages 2-3 weeks for plan review on complete submissions; county zoning compliance permit processing time not publicly specified.
- 01 Determine whether the project site falls within a zoned area (Highland Park, Forest Park, or River Road overlay) by contacting the County Planner at 406-377-3058 or reviewing the zoning maps on the county website.
- 02 For sites inside a zoned district: obtain a Zoning Compliance Permit Application from the Planning Department at 207 W Bell St, Glendive, MT 59330.
- 03 Complete and submit the Zoning Compliance Permit Application with required site information to the County Planner. No fee schedule is publicly posted; contact the Planning Department for current fees.
- 04 For sites outside all zoned districts: single-family residential construction does not require a county or state building permit. Commercial or non-residential structures, additions, or change-of-occupancy projects require a state building permit through the Montana Building Codes Bureau (BCB).
- 05 For state-required permits: submit construction plans and a Building Permit/Plan Review Application to the BCB at buildingcodes@mt.gov or via the online portal at https://aca-prod.accela.com/BCB/Default.aspx.
- 06 BCB reviews plans and communicates fees by mail or email. Once all comments are resolved and fees paid, the permit is issued.
- 07 For development in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area: also complete a Floodplain Development Application available from the Planning Department.
Typical processing time: State BCB averages 2-3 weeks for plan review on complete submissions; county zoning compliance permit processing time not publicly specified.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Dawson County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
County fees not published; state BCB minimum is $23.50 (for projects valued $1-$500)
02
Plan check fee
State BCB: 35% of the building permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
State BCB: valuation-based using IBC Table 109.2; general range 1%-2% of building valuation. County Zoning Compliance Permit: fee not publicly specified; contact Planning Department at 406-377-3058.
04
Reinspection fee
State BCB: $75/hour for requested inspections
State BCB: Once plan review comments are resolved and fees paid, permit is issued. County permits: contact Planning Department for fee and payment information.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- For state BCB-permitted projects: contact assigned state inspector at least 24 hours before requested inspections; call (406) 841-2056 or email buildingcodes@mt.gov (email)
- State inspectors assigned geographically by county; contact information list available at https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/inspection-contact-information (phone)
- For county zoning compliance permits: verification of setback compliance may be performed by the County Planner (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- 24 hours advance notice required
Typical sequence: Typical state BCB commercial/non-exempt sequence: foundation and footing before backfill; framing inspection before insulation or sheathing; rough-in inspections for mechanical, plumbing, and electrical before concealment; final inspection prior to occupancy.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Dawson County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Dawson County, MT? ▸
A Zoning Compliance Permit is required for any construction (new structure, addition, alteration, or relocation) within the Highland Park or Forest Park zoned districts. State building permits are required for commercial, institutional, and multi-family (5+ units) structures anywhere in unincorporated Dawson County not served by a certified local program.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Dawson County, MT? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Dawson County, MT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is County fees not published; state BCB minimum is $23.50 (for projects valued $1-$500). Fees are calculated as: State BCB: valuation-based using IBC Table 109.2; general range 1%-2% of building valuation. County Zoning Compliance Permit: fee not publicly specified; contact Planning Department at 406-377-3058.. Plan check fee: State BCB: 35% of the building permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Dawson County, MT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Dawson County, MT, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project site falls within a zoned area (Highland Park, Forest Park, or River Road overlay) by contacting the County Planner at 406-377-3058 or reviewing the zoning maps on the county website. 2. For sites inside a zoned district: obtain a Zoning Compliance Permit Application from the Planning Department at 207 W Bell St, Glendive, MT 59330. 3. Complete and submit the Zoning Compliance Permit Application with required site information to the County Planner. No fee schedule is publicly posted; contact the Planning Department for current fees. 4. For sites outside all zoned districts: single-family residential construction does not require a county or state building permit. Commercial or non-residential structures, additions, or change-of-occupancy projects require a state building permit through the Montana Building Codes Bureau (BCB). 5. For state-required permits: submit construction plans and a Building Permit/Plan Review Application to the BCB at buildingcodes@mt.gov or via the online portal at https://aca-prod.accela.com/BCB/Default.aspx. 6. BCB reviews plans and communicates fees by mail or email. Once all comments are resolved and fees paid, the permit is issued. 7. For development in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area: also complete a Floodplain Development Application available from the Planning Department.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Dawson County, MT? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Dawson County, MT typically run State BCB averages 2-3 weeks for plan review on complete submissions; county zoning compliance permit processing time not publicly specified.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Dawson County, MT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Dawson County, MT. The following work is generally exempt: Single-family residential buildings (1-4 dwelling units, no transient guests) in unincorporated areas; Farm and ranch buildings on agricultural property; Private garages and storage buildings used solely for the owner's personal use (not part of a commercial enterprise); Mining buildings on mining property regulated under Title 82, MCA; Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (excluding office and shop buildings); Minor repairs and maintenance that do not affect structural elements or life-safety systems; Land outside zoned districts (Highland Park, Forest Park) has no local zoning permit requirement. Note: Single-family residential exemptions apply only outside Highland Park and Forest Park zoned subdivisions. Within those zoned areas, a Zoning Compliance Permit is required even for single-family residential construction. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Dawson County, MT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Dawson County, MT via: For state BCB-permitted projects: contact assigned state inspector at least 24 hours before requested inspections; call (406) 841-2056 or email buildingcodes@mt.gov, State inspectors assigned geographically by county; contact information list available at https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/inspection-contact-information, For county zoning compliance permits: verification of setback compliance may be performed by the County Planner. 24 hours advance notice required.
last verified March 2026
source Dawson County Planning Department ↗
entry id permits/montana/dawson/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Dawson County Planning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.