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§ MT Park County
County building permits

Unincorporated Park County

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

Last verified
March 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Park County Planning & Zoning Department

Street address
414 East Callender Street, Livingston, MT 59047
Phone
(406) 222-4102
Email
planning@parkcounty.org
Online portal
Park County Planning Department
County website
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Park County

A building permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure in unincorporated Park County

Private garage or storage buildings (detached, typically under specific square footage)
Minor repairs and maintenance
Agricultural structures in rural areas
Certain interior remodeling projects
Decks under specific size and height
  • Exempt Private garage or storage buildings (detached, typically under specific square footage)
  • Exempt Minor repairs and maintenance
  • Exempt Agricultural structures in rural areas
  • Exempt Certain interior remodeling projects
  • Exempt Decks under specific size and height

Note: Exemptions may vary; contact Park County Planning Department to determine if specific work requires a permit

Required documents
  • Completed building permit application
  • Plans and specifications showing code compliance
  • Warranty deed to establish ownership
  • Site plan showing property location and setbacks
  • Building code compliance documentation
Building code
Montana Statewide Building Code (2024 ICC codes planned for mid-2026 adoption; prior adoption likely 2021 ICC). International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) are the primary referenced codes
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Approximately 3 weeks for plan review; total time depends on completeness of application and inspection scheduling

  1. 01
    Contact Park County Planning Department at (406) 222-4102 to obtain building permit application forms
  2. 02
    Submit completed application with plans and specifications sufficient to determine code compliance
  3. 03
    Include warranty deed showing property ownership
  4. 04
    Plans must include all required content
  5. 05
    Building Department conducts plan review for code compliance
  6. 06
    Applicant is notified when permit is ready or additional information is required
  7. 07
    Upon approval, permit is issued by County Building Department
  8. 08
    Applicant must schedule inspections and obtain final Certificate of Occupancy before occupying structure

Typical processing time: Approximately 3 weeks for plan review; total time depends on completeness of application and inspection scheduling

Source: Park County Planning & Zoning Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Park County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
50
02
Permit fee formula
Tiered fee structure based on project valuation: Accessory buildings $50, Projects $5,000-$9,999 $100, Projects $10,000-$49,999 base fee applies, Projects $50,000+ contact department for calculation

Contact Park County Planning Department for specific fee calculation for your project; fees based on estimated valuation and complexity

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Call Building Department Inspection Line at (406) 222-4102 (phone)

Typical sequence: 1. Foundation/footing inspection (before concrete is poured) 2. Framing inspection (before walls are enclosed) 3. Electrical rough-in inspection (if required; state-regulated, county may coordinate) 4. Plumbing rough-in inspection (if required; state-regulated, county may coordinate) 5. Final inspection (after state approvals for electrical/plumbing; verifies code compliance). Certificate of Occupancy issued after final inspection passed; occupancy prior to CO issuance is a code violation and may void insurance coverage

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Park County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Park County, MT? ▸
A building permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure in unincorporated Park County
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Park County, MT? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Park County, MT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is 50. Fees are calculated as: Tiered fee structure based on project valuation: Accessory buildings $50, Projects $5,000-$9,999 $100, Projects $10,000-$49,999 base fee applies, Projects $50,000+ contact department for calculation.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Park County, MT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Park County, MT, follow these steps: 1. Contact Park County Planning Department at (406) 222-4102 to obtain building permit application forms 2. Submit completed application with plans and specifications sufficient to determine code compliance 3. Include warranty deed showing property ownership 4. Plans must include all required content 5. Building Department conducts plan review for code compliance 6. Applicant is notified when permit is ready or additional information is required 7. Upon approval, permit is issued by County Building Department 8. Applicant must schedule inspections and obtain final Certificate of Occupancy before occupying structure
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Park County, MT? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Park County, MT typically run Approximately 3 weeks for plan review; total time depends on completeness of application and inspection scheduling. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Park County, MT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Park County, MT. The following work is generally exempt: Private garage or storage buildings (detached, typically under specific square footage); Minor repairs and maintenance; Agricultural structures in rural areas; Certain interior remodeling projects; Decks under specific size and height. Note: Exemptions may vary; contact Park County Planning Department to determine if specific work requires a permit When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Park County, MT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Park County, MT via: Call Building Department Inspection Line at (406) 222-4102.
last verified March 2026 source Park County Planning & Zoning Department ↗ entry id permits/montana/park/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Park County Planning & Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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