How much does a building permit cost in Philipsburg, MT?

The minimum permit fee is 100. Fees are calculated as: Zoning Compliance Permit: $100; State Building Permit (if required): 1–2% of building valuation.

How do I apply for a building permit in Philipsburg, MT?

1. Contact Granite County Planning & Zoning at (406) 859-7023 or visit 220 N Sansome St, Philipsburg, MT 59858 2. Determine permit type needed: zoning compliance, floodplain, or state building permit (for commercial/multi-family) 3. For zoning permit: Prepare application with sketch plans showing setback and height of structures 4. For floodplain permit: Check FEMA flood maps at https://msc.fema.gov/; prepare floodplain permit application if applicable 5. Submit application, sketch plans, and fee 6. County processes application and issues permit 7. Proceed with construction per approved permit

What work is exempt from building permits in Philipsburg, MT?

The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings (state level); Private storage buildings used for owner's own use (state level); Residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units not serving transient guests (state level); Sheds: Up to 200 square feet, max 12 feet high, respecting setbacks (state level; not for habitable purposes or vehicle parking); Additions to residential buildings: Non-habitable space (covered entries, decks, lean-tos) (state level); Owner-performed plumbing in residential property (sanitary and potable water piping only) (state level).

City Building Permits

Philipsburg, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Montana Granite County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Zoning compliance permits, floodplain permits, Georgetown Lake Zoning District permits for Philipsburg and unincorporated Granite County. No municipal building permit department identified; Granite County Planning handles permits.

Department: Granite County Planning & Zoning Department
Address: 220 N Sansome St / P.O. Box 925, Philipsburg, MT 59858
Phone: (406) 859-7023
Email: planning@granitecountymt.us
Website: https://www.granitecountymt.us/departments/county-planning-department

Application Process

Contact Granite County Planning & Zoning at (406) 859-7023 or visit 220 N Sansome St, Philipsburg, MT 59858
Determine permit type needed: zoning compliance, floodplain, or state building permit (for commercial/multi-family)
For zoning permit: Prepare application with sketch plans showing setback and height of structures
For floodplain permit: Check FEMA flood maps at https://msc.fema.gov/; prepare floodplain permit application if applicable
Submit application, sketch plans, and fee
County processes application and issues permit
Proceed with construction per approved permit

Source: Granite County Planning & Zoning Department

General Requirements

Zoning compliance permit for properties in Georgetown Lake Zoning District; floodplain permit for properties within floodplain before alterations; septic permit from Tri-County Sanitarian; state building permit may be required for commercial or multi-family housing; electrical/plumbing permits from State of Montana

Required Documents

For zoning permit: Sketch plans showing setback and height of structures, project description
For floodplain permit: Proof of location, floodplain status, project description

Building code: Montana state building codes apply. Philipsburg does not enforce a separate municipal building code.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: 100
Permit fee formula: Zoning Compliance Permit: $100; State Building Permit (if required): 1–2% of building valuation
Payment note: No comprehensive fee schedule URL identified. Contact Granite County Planning directly at (406) 859-7023 for current fees. Septic permit varies; contact Tri-County Sanitarian at (406) 563-4035.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Granite County Planning & Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Not specified for local permits. For state-level building permits: Contact Montana Building Codes Bureau at (406) 841-2056 for inspection scheduling, required inspections, and procedures.

Additional Resources

Building code: Montana state building codes apply. Philipsburg does not enforce a separate municipal building code.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Owner-builder rules: View rules
Philipsburg Town Hall
Montana Building Codes Program
FEMA Flood Map Service Center
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 Granite County Planning & Zoning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Philipsburg Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Philipsburg, MT?: Zoning compliance permit for properties in Georgetown Lake Zoning District; floodplain permit for properties within floodplain before alterations; septic permit from Tri-County Sanitarian; state building permit may be required for commercial or multi-family housing; electrical/plumbing permits from State of Montana
How much does a building permit cost in Philipsburg, MT?: The minimum permit fee is 100. Fees are calculated as: Zoning Compliance Permit: $100; State Building Permit (if required): 1–2% of building valuation.
How do I apply for a building permit in Philipsburg, MT?: 1. Contact Granite County Planning & Zoning at (406) 859-7023 or visit 220 N Sansome St, Philipsburg, MT 59858 2. Determine permit type needed: zoning compliance, floodplain, or state building permit (for commercial/multi-family) 3. For zoning permit: Prepare application with sketch plans showing setback and height of structures 4. For floodplain permit: Check FEMA flood maps at https://msc.fema.gov/; prepare floodplain permit application if applicable 5. Submit application, sketch plans, and fee 6. County processes application and issues permit 7. Proceed with construction per approved permit
What work is exempt from building permits in Philipsburg, MT?: The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings (state level); Private storage buildings used for owner's own use (state level); Residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units not serving transient guests (state level); Sheds: Up to 200 square feet, max 12 feet high, respecting setbacks (state level; not for habitable purposes or vehicle parking); Additions to residential buildings: Non-habitable space (covered entries, decks, lean-tos) (state level); Owner-performed plumbing in residential property (sanitary and potable water piping only) (state level).

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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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