How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County, MT?

The minimum permit fee is $23.50. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based per IBC Section 109.2 fee table (ARM 24.301.138): $1-$500: $23.50; $501-$2,000: $23.50 for first $500 + $3.05 per $100 or fraction thereof; $2,001-$25,000: $69.25 for first $2,000 + $14.00 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $25,001-$50,000: $391.75 for first $25,000 + $10.10 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $50,001-$100,000: $643.75 for first $50,000 + $7.00 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $100,001-$500,000: $993.75 for first $100,000 + $5.60 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $500,001-$1,000,000: $3,233.75 for first $500,000 + $4.75 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $1,000,001 and up: $5,608.75 for first $1,000,000 + $3.15 per $1,000 or fraction thereof. Plan check fee: 35% of the building permit fee, paid before permit issuance..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County, MT?

The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings; Private residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units that do not serve transient guests (single-family homes and small apartments for private residential use are state-exempt; however, county zoning, floodplain, and land use permits may still apply); Private garages and private storage buildings used by the owner for personal, non-commercial use; Mining buildings located on mine property; Petroleum refineries and pulp and paper mills (except office and shop buildings). Note: Exempt from building permit does NOT mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, or access permits. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits may still be required separately even if no building permit is needed. Always check with the county CDP at (406) 447-8374.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County, MT?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Assigned state building inspector (contact provided with permit).

County Building Permits

Lewis and Clark County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Montana Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated areas of Lewis and Clark County outside Helena and East Helena city limits. Important: Lewis and Clark County is NOT a certified local government for building code enforcement. Building permits for commercial and non-exempt structures are issued by the Montana State Building Codes Program (state-administered), NOT by the county. The County CDP handles zoning, land use, subdivision, floodplain, and access permits. Applicants typically need to coordinate with BOTH the county (for zoning/land use) AND the state (for building permits).

Department: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau (for structural permits); Lewis and Clark County Community Development and Planning Department (for zoning, planning, floodplain, and access permits)
Address: 301 S. Park Avenue, 4th Floor, Helena, MT 59620 (State Building Codes Program); 316 N. Park Avenue, Room 230, Helena, MT 59623 (County CDP)
Phone: (406) 841-2056 (State Building Codes); (406) 447-8374 (County CDP)
Email: buildingcodes@mt.gov (State) , planning@lccountymt.gov (County CDP)
Website: https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/

Online Permit Portal

Open eBiz Montana

Platform: eBiz Montana (for state permits); County CDP in-person for county permits • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Before construction, obtain a County address from Lewis and Clark County Information Technology (required for all new structures).
Review the county Construction Checklist to identify all permits needed from all agencies.
Contact Lewis and Clark County CDP at (406) 447-8374 to confirm zoning compliance and whether a zoning or land use permit is required.
If required, obtain a floodplain development permit from the county CDP before construction in or near floodplain areas.
If required, obtain a county approach/access permit from Lewis and Clark County Public Works for any new driveway or road access.
For non-exempt structures requiring a building permit, prepare construction plans and complete the Montana State Building Permit/Plan Review Application.
Submit building permit application and plans to the Montana Building Codes Program online at https://ebiz.mt.gov/ or by paper to the state office.
Pay the plan review fee (35% of permit fee) at submission.
Await state plan review. Average time is approximately three weeks.
Respond in writing to any plan review comments.
Pay remaining permit fee and receive permit from the state program.
Post permit at job site.
Schedule required inspections with your assigned state building inspector (contact information provided with permit).
Obtain final inspection approval from the state inspector.
Coordinate with Lewis and Clark County Sanitation (septic system permits) and Montana DNRC/DEQ for water rights and water systems as applicable.

Typical processing time: State plan review averages approximately three weeks; complex projects may take several weeks longer.

Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau (for structural permits); Lewis and Clark County Community Development and Planning Department (for zoning, planning, floodplain, and access permits)

General Requirements

State building permit required prior to start of construction for all non-exempt buildings being built, remodeled, moved, or undergoing a change of occupancy in state jurisdiction (unincorporated areas outside certified local government boundaries). Zoning permits, subdivision approval, floodplain permits, and approach/access permits are separate from and in addition to the state building permit.

Required Documents

Building Permit/Plan Review Application
Site plan
Floor plans, cross-sections, elevations
Roof truss diagrams (must be sealed by a professional engineer)
Commercial Building Checklist (provided by the state program)
Plans and calculations stamped by Montana-licensed engineer (for structural support systems)

Permit validity: Per IBC 2021 -- invalid if work not commenced within 180 days of issuance, or if work abandoned for 180 days after commencement. Written extensions up to 180 days each available upon written request with justifiable cause. Permit applications deemed abandoned 180 days after filing if no permit issued.
Building code: State-administered areas use codes adopted under Montana ARM Title 24, Chapter 301. Currently: 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IFC, 2020 NEC, 2021 UPC with Montana amendments.
Owner-builder: Owners are responsible for permit applications and may submit them directly without a contractor, though they may use contractor or designer expertise. No specific owner-builder exemption from permit requirements under state program.
Contractor requirements: Montana Construction Contractor Registration (CR) or Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC) required for contractors. CR registration fee is $70; ICEC fee is $125; registration is valid for two years. General liability insurance and workers compensation (if employees) are required. Contact the Montana Department of Labor and Industry Employment Relations Division at (406) 444-7734.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $23.50
Plan check fee: 35% of the building permit fee, paid before permit issuance.
Permit fee formula: Valuation-based per IBC Section 109.2 fee table (ARM 24.301.138): $1-$500: $23.50; $501-$2,000: $23.50 for first $500 + $3.05 per $100 or fraction thereof; $2,001-$25,000: $69.25 for first $2,000 + $14.00 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $25,001-$50,000: $391.75 for first $25,000 + $10.10 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $50,001-$100,000: $643.75 for first $50,000 + $7.00 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $100,001-$500,000: $993.75 for first $100,000 + $5.60 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $500,001-$1,000,000: $3,233.75 for first $500,000 + $4.75 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $1,000,001 and up: $5,608.75 for first $1,000,000 + $3.15 per $1,000 or fraction thereof
Reinspection fee: Inspections outside normal business hours: $45/hour (minimum 2 hours); General inspections without a specified fee: $45/hour (minimum 0.5 hour); Additional plan review for revisions: $45/hour (minimum 0.5 hour); Requested inspections: $75/hour
Payment note: Pay online via ebiz.mt.gov or by check/money order to the Montana Building Codes Program. County CDP fees (zoning, land use) contact: (406) 447-8374 or planning@lccountymt.gov

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Farm and ranch buildings
Private residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units that do not serve transient guests (single-family homes and small apartments for private residential use are state-exempt; however, county zoning, floodplain, and land use permits may still apply)
Private garages and private storage buildings used by the owner for personal, non-commercial use
Mining buildings located on mine property
Petroleum refineries and pulp and paper mills (except office and shop buildings)

Important: Exempt from building permit does NOT mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, or access permits. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits may still be required separately even if no building permit is needed. Always check with the county CDP at (406) 447-8374.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Assigned state building inspector (contact provided with permit) (phone)

Inspection hours: Normal state business hours. After-hours inspections available at $45/hour (minimum 2 hours) by arrangement.

Typical inspection sequence: Varies by project type. Generally includes footing/foundation, framing, rough-in mechanical/plumbing/electrical, insulation, wallboard, and final inspection. Required inspections are listed on the permit.

Additional Resources

Building code: State-administered areas use codes adopted under Montana ARM Title 24, Chapter 301. Currently: 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IFC, 2020 NEC, 2021 UPC with Montana amendments.
Verify contractor license: Montana Contractor Registration
Zoning information: View zoning info
County Construction Checklist
County Address Application
County Approach Permit Instructions
Helena Valley Zoning Regulations
Lincoln Area Growth Policy
State Inspection Areas and Contacts
State Current Codes
State Certified Local Governments List
County Growth Policy and Planning
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 Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Business Standards Division, Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau (for structural permits); Lewis and Clark County Community Development and Planning Department (for zoning, planning, floodplain, and access permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lewis and Clark County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County, MT?: State building permit required prior to start of construction for all non-exempt buildings being built, remodeled, moved, or undergoing a change of occupancy in state jurisdiction (unincorporated areas outside certified local government boundaries). Zoning permits, subdivision approval, floodplain permits, and approach/access permits are separate from and in addition to the state building permit.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County, MT?: The minimum permit fee is $23.50. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based per IBC Section 109.2 fee table (ARM 24.301.138): $1-$500: $23.50; $501-$2,000: $23.50 for first $500 + $3.05 per $100 or fraction thereof; $2,001-$25,000: $69.25 for first $2,000 + $14.00 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $25,001-$50,000: $391.75 for first $25,000 + $10.10 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $50,001-$100,000: $643.75 for first $50,000 + $7.00 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $100,001-$500,000: $993.75 for first $100,000 + $5.60 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $500,001-$1,000,000: $3,233.75 for first $500,000 + $4.75 per $1,000 or fraction thereof; $1,000,001 and up: $5,608.75 for first $1,000,000 + $3.15 per $1,000 or fraction thereof. Plan check fee: 35% of the building permit fee, paid before permit issuance..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County, MT?: 1. Before construction, obtain a County address from Lewis and Clark County Information Technology (required for all new structures). 2. Review the county Construction Checklist to identify all permits needed from all agencies. 3. Contact Lewis and Clark County CDP at (406) 447-8374 to confirm zoning compliance and whether a zoning or land use permit is required. 4. If required, obtain a floodplain development permit from the county CDP before construction in or near floodplain areas. 5. If required, obtain a county approach/access permit from Lewis and Clark County Public Works for any new driveway or road access. 6. For non-exempt structures requiring a building permit, prepare construction plans and complete the Montana State Building Permit/Plan Review Application. 7. Submit building permit application and plans to the Montana Building Codes Program online at https://ebiz.mt.gov/ or by paper to the state office. 8. Pay the plan review fee (35% of permit fee) at submission. 9. Await state plan review. Average time is approximately three weeks. 10. Respond in writing to any plan review comments. 11. Pay remaining permit fee and receive permit from the state program. 12. Post permit at job site. 13. Schedule required inspections with your assigned state building inspector (contact information provided with permit). 14. Obtain final inspection approval from the state inspector. 15. Coordinate with Lewis and Clark County Sanitation (septic system permits) and Montana DNRC/DEQ for water rights and water systems as applicable.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County, MT?: Typical processing time is State plan review averages approximately three weeks; complex projects may take several weeks longer..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County, MT?: The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings; Private residential buildings with fewer than five dwelling units that do not serve transient guests (single-family homes and small apartments for private residential use are state-exempt; however, county zoning, floodplain, and land use permits may still apply); Private garages and private storage buildings used by the owner for personal, non-commercial use; Mining buildings located on mine property; Petroleum refineries and pulp and paper mills (except office and shop buildings). Note: Exempt from building permit does NOT mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, or access permits. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits may still be required separately even if no building permit is needed. Always check with the county CDP at (406) 447-8374.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lewis and Clark County, MT?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Assigned state building inspector (contact provided with permit).

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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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