Unincorporated Garfield County

New residential buildings and structures, commercial buildings and structures, additions exceeding certain thresholds, alterations or repairs involving structural work, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems

• Exempt Farm and ranch buildings
• Exempt Private garages and storage buildings used for owner's own use only (not commercial)
• Exempt Residential buildings containing less than five dwelling units (except when serving transient guests)
• Exempt Mining buildings on mining property
• Exempt Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office/shop buildings)
• Exempt Sheds less than 200 square feet (if not for habitable purposes, storage only)
• Exempt Non-habitable additions to existing residential buildings (covered porches, decks, lean-tos) if constructed to foundation standards
• Exempt Painting, flooring, cosmetic repairs, non-structural modifications

Note: Check with Garfield County Planning Department for any additional local exemptions or restrictions within specific subdivisions

Building code

Garfield County has adopted the 2015 IRC (International Residential Code), 2015 IBC (International Building Code), 2015 IFGC (International Fuel Gas Code), 2015 IMC (International Mechanical Code), 2015 IPC (International Plumbing Code), and 2009 IECC (International Energy Conservation Code). Montana Building Codes Program enforces 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IECC, 2020 NEC, and 2021 UPC (with amendments effective June 2022). Frost depth: 36 inches for elevations up to 8,000 feet; 42 inches for elevations above 8,001 feet. Winter design temperature: minus 2°F for elevations 0-7,000 feet; minus 16°F for elevations above 7,000 feet.

Source: Garfield County Planning Department ↗

1. 01
   Contact Garfield County Planning Department to determine if a county permit is required and check zoning and subdivision covenants

2. 02
   Submit county permit application with property information and project scope

3. 03
   Submit state building permit application to Montana Building Codes Program if required for the project type

4. 04
   Montana Building Codes Program screens application and mails/emails screening letter with plan review fee estimate

5. 05
   Submit construction plans and fees according to screening letter requirements

6. 06
   Montana Building Codes Program conducts plan review over 2-3 weeks if application is complete

7. 07
   Address any plan review comments in writing; resubmit if major changes required

8. 08
   Upon fee payment and satisfactory comment resolution, state building permit is issued

9. 09
   Schedule inspections with Montana Building Codes Program inspector by calling at least 24 hours in advance

10. 10
    Inspector performs required inspections within 72 hours of notification

Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks for plan review if application is complete; inspections within 72 hours of notification

Source: Garfield County Planning Department ↗

Fees due upon approval of plan review before permit issuance

• Call Montana Building Codes Program inspector (phone)

Scheduling deadline

At least 24 hours before inspection is requested

Time windows

Inspector must perform inspection within 72 hours of notification

Typical sequence: Standard sequence: (1) Footing/foundation inspection before concrete pour, (2) Framing/structural inspection before insulation/drywall, (3) Mechanical/electrical/plumbing rough-in inspection before concealment, (4) Final inspection after completion of all work. For county-level zoning/subdivision compliance inspections, contact Garfield County Planning Department directly.

Source: Garfield County Planning Department ↗