On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Glacier County
Building permit required for new buildings, alterations, additions, and repairs (unless specifically exempt)
Farm and ranch buildings (except transient-use facilities like dude ranches, hotels, camps)
Mining buildings on mining property
Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office/shop buildings)
Residential buildings containing less than five dwelling units (except transient-use)
Private garages and private storage buildings for owner's own use (not commercial enterprise)
Buildings classified as Group F or Group M occupancies do not qualify for farm/ranch exemption
- Exempt Farm and ranch buildings (except transient-use facilities like dude ranches, hotels, camps)
- Exempt Mining buildings on mining property
- Exempt Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office/shop buildings)
- Exempt Residential buildings containing less than five dwelling units (except transient-use)
- Exempt Private garages and private storage buildings for owner's own use (not commercial enterprise)
- Exempt Buildings classified as Group F or Group M occupancies do not qualify for farm/ranch exemption
Required documents
- Building Permit/Plan Review Application
- Construction plans/drawings
- Legal property description
- Building code
- Montana adopted 2021 International Building Codes effective June 9, 2022; 2024 ICC codes planned for adoption mid-2026
Source: Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Program ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 2-3 weeks for plan review
- 01 Obtain Building Permit/Plan Review Application form from EBIZ.MT.GOV or state website
- 02 Complete application with construction plans (required for review)
- 03 Submit application and plans to Montana Building Codes Program via portal or mail
- 04 State building codes staff conducts plan review (average 2-3 weeks if plans are complete)
- 05 Applicant receives plan review comment letter and fee estimate via mail or email
- 06 Applicant responds in writing to all plan review comments
- 07 Upon approval of comments and payment of fees, building permit is issued
- 08 Permittee schedules inspections with state (24 hours notice required; inspector has 72 hours to comply)
- 09 All required inspections must pass before certificate of occupancy
Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks for plan review
Source: Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Program ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Glacier County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Fees determined on sliding scale based on project valuation and scope; contact program for estimates
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call state inspector at least 24 hours before requesting inspection (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- 24 hours notice required
- Time windows
- Inspector has 72 hours to comply
Typical sequence: Foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, and final inspections required (specific sequence depends on project type)
Source: Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Program ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Glacier County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Glacier County, MT? ▸
Building permit required for new buildings, alterations, additions, and repairs (unless specifically exempt)
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Glacier County, MT? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Glacier County, MT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Fees determined on sliding scale based on project valuation and scope; contact program for estimates.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Glacier County, MT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Glacier County, MT, follow these steps: 1. Obtain Building Permit/Plan Review Application form from EBIZ.MT.GOV or state website 2. Complete application with construction plans (required for review) 3. Submit application and plans to Montana Building Codes Program via portal or mail 4. State building codes staff conducts plan review (average 2-3 weeks if plans are complete) 5. Applicant receives plan review comment letter and fee estimate via mail or email 6. Applicant responds in writing to all plan review comments 7. Upon approval of comments and payment of fees, building permit is issued 8. Permittee schedules inspections with state (24 hours notice required; inspector has 72 hours to comply) 9. All required inspections must pass before certificate of occupancy
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Glacier County, MT? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Glacier County, MT typically run 2-3 weeks for plan review. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Glacier County, MT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Glacier County, MT. The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings (except transient-use facilities like dude ranches, hotels, camps); Mining buildings on mining property; Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office/shop buildings); Residential buildings containing less than five dwelling units (except transient-use); Private garages and private storage buildings for owner's own use (not commercial enterprise); Buildings classified as Group F or Group M occupancies do not qualify for farm/ranch exemption. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Glacier County, MT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Glacier County, MT via: Call state inspector at least 24 hours before requesting inspection. 24 hours notice required.
last verified March 2026
source Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Program ↗
entry id permits/montana/glacier/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Program before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.