Musselshell County, MT — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder

Street address

506 Main Street, Roundup, MT 59072

Phone

(406) 323-1104

ctomassi@co.musselshell.mt.us

Online portal

EBIZ.MT.GOV (Montana Building Codes Bureau)

Accela

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Musselshell County

Building permits required for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, and changes of occupancy for structures within unincorporated Musselshell County

Scope of work

Permit?

Residential buildings with less than five dwelling units (from building permit only; electrical and plumbing still required)

Exempt

Private garages and private storage buildings used for owner's own use (not commercial)

Exempt

Non-habitable additions to existing residential buildings (covered entries, covered patios/porches, lean-to structures for storage only)

Exempt

Decks not exceeding 30 inches in height from grade to deck surface (attached or unattached on permanent or non-permanent foundation)

Exempt

Exempt Residential buildings with less than five dwelling units (from building permit only; electrical and plumbing still required)
Exempt Private garages and private storage buildings used for owner's own use (not commercial)
Exempt Non-habitable additions to existing residential buildings (covered entries, covered patios/porches, lean-to structures for storage only)
Exempt 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

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)

Source: Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 2-3 weeks

01

Contact Musselshell County Clerk & Recorder or Montana Building Codes Bureau to determine permit requirements
02

Prepare construction plans meeting International Building Code standards adopted by Montana
03

Submit Building Permit/Plan Review Application with plans to county office or EBIZ.MT.GOV
04

Submit required fees (plan review fee = 35% of building permit fee)
05

Plan review occurs (average 2-3 weeks if plans are complete)
06

Address any plan review comments in writing
07

Pay remaining fees upon plan review approval
08

Receive issued building permit
09

Schedule required inspections per inspection sequence before construction phases proceed

Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks

Source: Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Musselshell County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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

Certified local governments may establish their own fees; contact county for local fee schedule

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Contact county office or Montana Building Codes Bureau (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Minimum 24 hours in advance

Typical 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.

Source: Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Musselshell County permits

01 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

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT, follow these steps: 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

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Musselshell 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 Musselshell County, MT? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit 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 When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Musselshell County, MT via: Contact county office or Montana Building Codes Bureau. Minimum 24 hours in advance.

last verified March 2026 source Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder ↗ entry id permits/montana/musselshell/unincorporated

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Musselshell County Planning & Growth / Clerk & Recorder before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Musselshell County