County Building Permits

Gallatin County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Montana Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Gallatin County does not issue building permits. In unincorporated areas, building permits are issued by the Montana DLI Building Codes Program where required by state law. The county Planning Department issues Land Use Permits (LUPs) for zoning compliance -- these are separate from and in addition to any required state building permit.

Department
Gallatin County Planning and Community Development Department (Land Use Permits); Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Building Codes Program (building permits)
Address
County Planning: 311 West Main Street, Room 108, Bozeman, MT 59715; State DLI: 301 S. Park Ave., Helena, MT 59601
Phone
County Planning: 406-582-3130; State DLI: 406-841-2056
Website
https://www.gallatinmt.gov/planning-community-development

Online Permit Portal

Open County LUP: MyGov Portal; State Building Permit: eBiz

Platform: MyGov (county); eBiz (state) • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Application Process

  1. Determine if the project is in a county zoning district. Contact Planning at 406-582-3130 if unsure.
  2. For Land Use Permits (LUP) -- County Zoning: Review the LUP Instructions and Information document.
  3. Submit the LUP application online through the MyGov portal with site plan and project description.
  4. Pay county LUP fees (credit card online with 3% processing fee; check/cash at Planning Office or by mail).
  5. County staff reviews for zoning compliance. If on a steep slope or ridgeline, a geotechnical investigation report is typically required.
  6. LUP is issued upon approval and must be kept on site.
  7. For State Building Permits (unincorporated areas, where required): Confirm whether a state building permit is required for your project type.
  8. Prepare construction plans and complete a Building Permit/Plan Review Application.
  9. Submit plans and application to the DLI Building Codes Program via ebiz.mt.gov or by mail.
  10. Pay permit fees (approximately 1-2% of project valuation).
  11. Respond to any plan review comments in writing.
  12. Once comments are resolved and fees paid, the state building permit is issued.
  13. Contact the regional state inspector to schedule required inspections.

Typical processing time: LUP: varies by complexity. State building permit plan review: averages approximately 3 weeks for complete submissions.

Source: Gallatin County Planning and Community Development Department (Land Use Permits); Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Building Codes Program (building permits)

General Requirements

County LUP: Required in all county zoning districts prior to construction of most structures. State building permit: Required for certain construction types. State law exempts the following from state building permits in unincorporated areas: (a) residential buildings containing fewer than five dwelling units (except transient lodging); (b) private garages and storage buildings used exclusively by the owner (not commercial). This means a single-family home built outside city/town limits does NOT require a state building permit, but may still require a county LUP for zoning compliance.

Required Documents

  • County LUP: Application form, site plan, project description, geotechnical report for steep/ridgeline properties, flood elevation certificate if in a floodplain.
  • State building permit: Complete construction plans, Building Permit/Plan Review Application form.
Permit validity
State building permits: not confirmed in public sources. County LUPs: contact Planning at 406-582-3130.
Building code
State DLI enforces: 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC (effective June 2022).
Owner-builder
For state-permitted projects, the owner/builder is responsible for ensuring the permit is obtained before construction begins.
Contractor requirements
State Construction Contractor Registration required (Montana DLI ERD, $70 non-refundable fee, renewed every two years). Independent contractors without employees may qualify for an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC).

Fees

Minimum permit fee
State permits: not confirmed for minimum. Approximately 1-2% of project valuation. County LUP: refer to 2024 fee schedule.
Plan check fee
State: included in the building permit fee. County: not a separate building plan check; LUP is a zoning review.
Permit fee formula
State building permit: Valuation-based per ARM 24.301.138. Valuation is the total cost of all construction work. Rounded to nearest $1,000; fees rounded to nearest $1. County LUP: refer to 2024 fee schedule.
Payment note
County LUP fees: credit card online (3% processing fee), or check/cash at Planning Office or by mail. State building permit fees: via ebiz.mt.gov or by check to DLI.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units (single-family, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes) that do not serve transient guests
  • Private garages and private storage buildings used exclusively by the owner (not commercial)

Important: State building permit exemptions listed above. County LUP: A Land Use Permit is required for most structures in county zoning districts; exemptions (if any) are defined in the applicable zoning regulations. Contact Planning at 406-582-3130 for project-specific guidance.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Scheduling deadline
Contact regional inspector directly.
Inspection hours
State DLI inspector schedule: contact regional inspector. County Planning office: call 406-582-3130.
Time windows
Contact regional inspector for available windows.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence (state-permitted projects): footing/foundation, framing, rough mechanical/plumbing/electrical, insulation, final inspection. County LUPs do not involve county construction inspections; inspections are handled by state DLI inspector.

Contact regional DLI inspector regarding remote inspection options.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Gallatin County Planning and Community Development Department (Land Use Permits); Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Building Codes Program (building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gallatin County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Gallatin County, MT?
County LUP: Required in all county zoning districts prior to construction of most structures. State building permit: Required for certain construction types. State law exempts the following from state building permits in unincorporated areas: (a) residential buildings containing fewer than five dwelling units (except transient lodging); (b) private garages and storage buildings used exclusively by the owner (not commercial). This means a single-family home built outside city/town limits does NOT require a state building permit, but may still require a county LUP for zoning compliance.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Gallatin County, MT?
The minimum permit fee is State permits: not confirmed for minimum. Approximately 1-2% of project valuation. County LUP: refer to 2024 fee schedule.. Fees are calculated as: State building permit: Valuation-based per ARM 24.301.138. Valuation is the total cost of all construction work. Rounded to nearest $1,000; fees rounded to nearest $1. County LUP: refer to 2024 fee schedule.. Plan check fee: State: included in the building permit fee. County: not a separate building plan check; LUP is a zoning review..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Gallatin County, MT?
1. Determine if the project is in a county zoning district. Contact Planning at 406-582-3130 if unsure. 2. For Land Use Permits (LUP) -- County Zoning: Review the LUP Instructions and Information document. 3. Submit the LUP application online through the MyGov portal with site plan and project description. 4. Pay county LUP fees (credit card online with 3% processing fee; check/cash at Planning Office or by mail). 5. County staff reviews for zoning compliance. If on a steep slope or ridgeline, a geotechnical investigation report is typically required. 6. LUP is issued upon approval and must be kept on site. 7. For State Building Permits (unincorporated areas, where required): Confirm whether a state building permit is required for your project type. 8. Prepare construction plans and complete a Building Permit/Plan Review Application. 9. Submit plans and application to the DLI Building Codes Program via ebiz.mt.gov or by mail. 10. Pay permit fees (approximately 1-2% of project valuation). 11. Respond to any plan review comments in writing. 12. Once comments are resolved and fees paid, the state building permit is issued. 13. Contact the regional state inspector to schedule required inspections.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Gallatin County, MT?
Typical processing time is LUP: varies by complexity. State building permit plan review: averages approximately 3 weeks for complete submissions..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Gallatin County, MT?
The following work is generally exempt: Residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units (single-family, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes) that do not serve transient guests; Private garages and private storage buildings used exclusively by the owner (not commercial). Note: State building permit exemptions listed above. County LUP: A Land Use Permit is required for most structures in county zoning districts; exemptions (if any) are defined in the applicable zoning regulations. Contact Planning at 406-582-3130 for project-specific guidance.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Gallatin County, MT?
Inspections can be scheduled via: State DLI Regional Inspector (find contact at bsd.dli.mt.gov Inspection Areas page). Contact regional inspector directly..

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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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