City Building Permits
Havre, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Havre, Montana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
City limits only. Havre is currently decertified for building code enforcement due to lack of a certified building inspector on staff. The city can issue permits for ordinance items (fences, driveways, sidewalks) only. Building code enforcement matters fall to state jurisdiction.
- Department
- City of Havre Public Works Department
- Address
- 520 4th Street, Havre, MT 59501
- Phone
- 406-265-6719
Application Process
- Download permit forms (Building, Demolition, Roofing, Sign, Miscellaneous) from City Hall or in person
- Fill out completed application
- Submit to Public Works Department at City Hall (520 4th Street)
- Public Works reviews and approves
- Pay fees at City Hall
- Permit issued
Typical processing time: Not publicly specified; contact Public Works directly
General Requirements
Building permits required for any building, structure, or alteration that exceeds local ordinance limits. Due to decertification, state building code enforcement (state permits) also applies to structural work.
- Building code
- City of Havre adopted building codes including 2018 IRC and 2021 IRC with Montana amendments
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Established by City Council Resolution; call for current rates
- Payment note
- Contact City Hall at 406-265-6719 for current fee schedule
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Havre Public Works Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ()
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours before inspection (state inspectors for building code matters)
Typical inspection sequence: Because Havre lacks a certified building inspector, state inspectors handle building code matters. For state inspections, permit holder must call state inspector at least 24 hours before requested inspection; inspector has 72 hours to perform inspection. Process unclear given decertified status.
Additional Resources
- Building code: City of Havre adopted building codes including 2018 IRC and 2021 IRC with Montana amendments
- City of Havre
- Havre Municipal Code (Title 4, Building Regulations)
- Montana Building Codes Program
- 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 City of Havre Public Works Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Havre Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Havre, MT?
- Building permits required for any building, structure, or alteration that exceeds local ordinance limits. Due to decertification, state building code enforcement (state permits) also applies to structural work.
- How much does a building permit cost in Havre, MT?
- Fees are calculated as: Established by City Council Resolution; call for current rates.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Havre, MT?
- 1. Download permit forms (Building, Demolition, Roofing, Sign, Miscellaneous) from City Hall or in person 2. Fill out completed application 3. Submit to Public Works Department at City Hall (520 4th Street) 4. Public Works reviews and approves 5. Pay fees at City Hall 6. Permit issued
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Havre, MT?
- Typical processing time is Not publicly specified; contact Public Works directly.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Havre, MT?
- The following work is generally exempt: Building and construction work that falls outside city zoning/ordinance enforcement; Properties under state jurisdiction (structural/building code enforcement). Note: Consult with Public Works for specific exemptions given current decertified status
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Havre, MT?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: . At least 24 hours before inspection (state inspectors for building code matters).
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