County Building Permits
Musselshell County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Musselshell County, Montana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
- Department
- Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder
- Address
- 506 Main Street, Roundup, MT 59072
- Phone
- (406) 323-1104
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Accela • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact Musselshell County Clerk & Recorder or Montana Building Codes Bureau to determine permit requirements
- Prepare construction plans meeting International Building Code standards adopted by Montana
- Submit Building Permit/Plan Review Application with plans to county office or EBIZ.MT.GOV
- Submit required fees (plan review fee = 35% of building permit fee)
- Plan review occurs (average 2-3 weeks if plans are complete)
- Address any plan review comments in writing
- Pay remaining fees upon plan review approval
- Receive issued building permit
- Schedule required inspections per inspection sequence before construction phases proceed
Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks
Source: Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder
General Requirements
Building permits required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and changes of occupancy for structures within unincorporated Musselshell County
Required Documents
- Complete construction plans with sufficient detail to construct the structure
- Plans showing zoning compliance
- Building code
- Montana Building Code 2021 (based on International Building Code 2021, adopted June 9, 2022)
Fees
- Plan check fee
- 35% of building permit fee
- Permit fee formula
- Building permit fee and plan review fee (35% of building permit fee) calculated per International Building Code Section 109.2 based on construction valuation
- Reinspection fee
- $25 for each additional 30 minutes or fraction thereof
- Payment note
- Certified local governments may establish their own fees; contact county for local fee schedule
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ()
- Scheduling deadline
- Minimum 24 hours in advance
Typical inspection sequence: Multi-phase stop-work inspections required; work cannot proceed to next phase until previous phase approved. Common phases: Footing/foundation, framing/rough-in (electrical, plumbing, mechanical), insulation/drywall, final. Underground work items must be inspected before burial.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Montana Building Code 2021 (based on International Building Code 2021, adopted June 9, 2022)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Montana Building Codes Bureau
- Musselshell County Commissioners
- Montana Building Codes Bureau Building Permits FAQ
- 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 Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Musselshell County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT?
- Building permits required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and changes of occupancy for structures within unincorporated Musselshell County
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT?
- Fees are calculated as: Building permit fee and plan review fee (35% of building permit fee) calculated per International Building Code Section 109.2 based on construction valuation. Plan check fee: 35% of building permit fee.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT?
- 1. Contact Musselshell County Clerk & Recorder or Montana Building Codes Bureau to determine permit requirements 2. Prepare construction plans meeting International Building Code standards adopted by Montana 3. Submit Building Permit/Plan Review Application with plans to county office or EBIZ.MT.GOV 4. Submit required fees (plan review fee = 35% of building permit fee) 5. Plan review occurs (average 2-3 weeks if plans are complete) 6. Address any plan review comments in writing 7. Pay remaining fees upon plan review approval 8. Receive issued building permit 9. Schedule required inspections per inspection sequence before construction phases proceed
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT?
- Typical processing time is 2-3 weeks.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT?
- The following work is generally exempt: Residential buildings with less than five dwelling units (from building permit only; electrical and plumbing still required); Private garages and private storage buildings used for owner's own use (not commercial); Non-habitable additions to existing residential buildings (covered entries, covered patios/porches, lean-to structures for storage only); Decks not exceeding 30 inches in height from grade to deck surface (attached or unattached on permanent or non-permanent foundation). Note: Even exempt work requires zoning, land use, planning, shoreline, floodplain, water, and sanitation permits as applicable
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: . Minimum 24 hours in advance.
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