County Building Permits
Glacier County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Glacier County, Montana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
CRITICAL JURISDICTIONAL NOTE: Browning is located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Tribal land is outside county/state jurisdiction for building permits. Building permits and construction requirements are governed by Blackfeet Tribe tribal codes, not state or county codes. Incorporated city limits may have different rules—verify specific property location within tribal vs. municipal jurisdiction.
- Department
- Blackfeet Nation Tribal Government
- Address
- Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, P.O. Box 850, 640 All Chiefs Road, Browning, MT 59417
- Phone
- (406) 338-7521 or (406) 338-7522
- Website
- https://blackfeetnation.com/
Application Process
- Obtain Blackfeet Tribal Business License from Blackfeet Revenue Office (required for all business activity on reservation)
- For aquatic lands/wetlands/riparian projects: Apply for Aquatic Lands Protection Ordinance (ALPO) permit from Blackfeet Environmental Office
- Submit ALPO permit application with filing fee, legal property description, site map, and project drawings/sketches
- Blackfeet Environmental Office Director reviews and issues decision within 60 calendar days
- Do not begin work until permit issued
- For general building/construction: Contact tribal departments for specific requirements and processes
Typical processing time: 60 calendar days for ALPO permits; general building permit timeline not specified
General Requirements
Building permits required for construction and fill projects in wetlands, riparian areas, and streams on reservation; Aquatic Lands Protection Ordinance (Ordinance 117) applies
Required Documents
- ALPO permit application
- Filing fee
- Legal description
- Site location map
- Project drawing/sketch showing existing structures and proposed work
- Building code
- Tribal codes and ordinances (2021 ICC codes status for tribal jurisdiction unclear; recommend verification with tribe)
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- ALPO permit application requires filing fee (amount not specified in available documents)
- Permit fee formula
- Fee structure not publicly available; contact tribe for details
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Blackfeet Nation Tribal Government to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: Inspection procedures for tribal jurisdiction not specified in available documents
Additional Resources
- Building code: Tribal codes and ordinances (2021 ICC codes status for tribal jurisdiction unclear; recommend verification with tribe)
- Blackfeet Nation
- Blackfeet Tribal Directory
- Blackfeet Environmental Office
- Blackfeet Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO)
- Blackfeet Nation Laws and Ordinances
- 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 Blackfeet Nation Tribal Government before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Glacier County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Glacier County, MT?
- Building permits required for construction and fill projects in wetlands, riparian areas, and streams on reservation; Aquatic Lands Protection Ordinance (Ordinance 117) applies
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Glacier County, MT?
- The minimum permit fee is ALPO permit application requires filing fee (amount not specified in available documents). Fees are calculated as: Fee structure not publicly available; contact tribe for details.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Glacier County, MT?
- 1. Obtain Blackfeet Tribal Business License from Blackfeet Revenue Office (required for all business activity on reservation) 2. For aquatic lands/wetlands/riparian projects: Apply for Aquatic Lands Protection Ordinance (ALPO) permit from Blackfeet Environmental Office 3. Submit ALPO permit application with filing fee, legal property description, site map, and project drawings/sketches 4. Blackfeet Environmental Office Director reviews and issues decision within 60 calendar days 5. Do not begin work until permit issued 6. For general building/construction: Contact tribal departments for specific requirements and processes
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Glacier County, MT?
- Typical processing time is 60 calendar days for ALPO permits; general building permit timeline not specified.
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