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§ MT Hill County
County building permits

Unincorporated Hill County

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

Code adoption
Montana 2021 IBC with amendments (adopted June 2022)
Avg processing
2-3 weeks
Last verified
March 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau, Montana Department of Labor & Industry

Street address
301 S. Park Avenue, 4th Floor, Helena, MT
Coverage
Building code enforcement by state only. No local permit authority.
Online portal
EBIZ.MT.GOV
State Accela system
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Hill County

Per state thresholds

Farm/ranch
Residential under 5 units
Mining buildings
Private owner-use structures
  • Exempt Farm/ranch
  • Exempt Residential under 5 units
  • Exempt Mining buildings
  • Exempt Private owner-use structures
Building code
Montana 2021 IBC with amendments (adopted June 2022)

Source: Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau, Montana Department of Labor & Industry ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 2-3 weeks

  1. 01
    Contact Hill County Planning for zoning: 406-265-5481
  2. 02
    If state building permit required, submit through EBIZ.MT.GOV
  3. 03
    State review (2-3 weeks typical)
  4. 04
    Address comments
  5. 05
    Pay fees
  6. 06
    Permit issued

Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks

Source: Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau, Montana Department of Labor & Industry ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Hill County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
1-2% of construction valuation
§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Contact state inspector (phone)
Scheduling deadline
24 hours minimum

Typical sequence: Inspector response: 72 hours maximum

Source: Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau, Montana Department of Labor & Industry ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Hill County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hill County, MT?
Per state thresholds
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Hill County, MT?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Hill County, MT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: 1-2% of construction valuation.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hill County, MT?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hill County, MT, follow these steps: 1. Contact Hill County Planning for zoning: 406-265-5481 2. If state building permit required, submit through EBIZ.MT.GOV 3. State review (2-3 weeks typical) 4. Address comments 5. Pay fees 6. Permit issued
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Hill County, MT?
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Hill County, MT typically run 2-3 weeks. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hill County, MT?
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Hill County, MT. The following work is generally exempt: Farm/ranch; Residential under 5 units; Mining buildings; Private owner-use structures. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hill County, MT?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hill County, MT via: Contact state inspector. 24 hours minimum.

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau, Montana Department of Labor & Industry before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.