How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT?

Fees are calculated as: 1-2% of estimated building valuation (calculated by Montana Building Codes Program at time of application). Plan check fee: Due upon application submission.

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

Typical processing time is 2-3 weeks for plan review if plans are complete.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT?

The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings (structures not intended for human habitation or commercial use on agricultural property); Mining-related buildings located on mining property; Residential buildings containing less than five dwelling units (except hotels/transient housing); Private garages used solely for owner's own use (not part of a business); Private storage buildings used solely for owner's own use (not part of a business). Note: Office and shop buildings at petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills are NOT exempt. Farm/ranch buildings are exempt from energy code compliance; however, any change of use to habitable space or commercial use requires full permitting.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT?

Inspections can be scheduled via: . Permit holder must notify inspector when work is ready for inspection.

County Building Permits

Petroleum County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Montana Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

State-level enforcement for unincorporated Petroleum County. Petroleum County does not maintain a certified local building code enforcement program.

Department: Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau
Address: P.O. Box 200517, Helena, MT 59602
Phone: (406) 841-2056
Email: BUILDINGCODES@MT.GOV
Website: https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/

Online Permit Portal

Open Accela Citizen Access

Platform: Accela • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

Prepare detailed construction plans, specifications, site plans, and Building Permit/Plan Review Application form
Calculate estimated construction cost for fee assessment (1-2% of valuation)
Submit application with all required documents via EBIZ.MT.GOV portal, mail, email, or fax
Montana Building Codes Program conducts plan review (typically 2-3 weeks if plans are complete)
Respond in writing to any plan review comments or deficiencies
Submit full payment of building permit fees upon plan review approval
State building permit is issued upon satisfactory completion of plan review and fee payment
Contact assigned state inspector to schedule required inspections

Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks for plan review if plans are complete

Source: Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau

General Requirements

New building construction, expansion or structural modification of existing structures, substantial electrical work, substantial plumbing work, moving a structure, change of use of a structure, demolition, alterations, additions, and repairs (in certain cases)

Required Documents

Building Permit/Plan Review Application
Detailed construction plans drawn to scale (minimum 11" x 17", legible, marked "Building Permit Set")
Architectural drawings (for residential buildings)
Structural plans (for commercial/complex buildings)
Site plan showing property lines and location of structure
Building code analysis
Engineering calculations (when applicable)
Design professional stamps (Montana-licensed architect/engineer for commercial projects)
Civil drawings including utilities (for commercial projects)
Mechanical, plumbing, electrical plans (when applicable)
Energy code analysis
Environmental/floodplain studies (if applicable)

Building code: Montana Code 2018 based on International Building Code 2018 (IBC 2018) and International Residential Code 2018 (IRC 2018) with state amendments. Energy Code: 2018 IECC with Montana amendments (effective February 13, 2021).
Owner-builder: Homeowners may perform work on their own property; contact the state BCB to confirm owner-builder exemptions.
Contractor requirements: Design professional stamps required for commercial projects; Montana-licensed architect or engineer must prepare plans.

Fees

Plan check fee: Due upon application submission
Permit fee formula: 1-2% of estimated building valuation (calculated by Montana Building Codes Program at time of application)
Payment note: Plan review portion due upon application submission; balance due upon approval of plan review and before permit issuance. Contact BCB at (406) 841-2056 for current minimum fee.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Scheduling deadline: Permit holder must notify inspector when work is ready for inspection
Time windows: State Building Inspector has a 10-day window from notification date to perform the inspection. Inspector will contact permit holder to schedule a mutually convenient time.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical building projects require: foundation/footing inspection, rough-in inspections (framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing), and final inspection upon project completion.

Additional Resources

Building code: Montana Code 2018 based on International Building Code 2018 (IBC 2018) and International Residential Code 2018 (IRC 2018) with state amendments. Energy Code: 2018 IECC with Montana amendments (effective February 13, 2021).
Owner-builder rules: View rules
Current Adopted Codes
State Inspection Areas & Contact Info
Certified Jurisdictions List
Montana Code Annotated Title 50, Chapter 60
EBIZ.MT.GOV State Permit Portal
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 & Industry, Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Petroleum County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT?: New building construction, expansion or structural modification of existing structures, substantial electrical work, substantial plumbing work, moving a structure, change of use of a structure, demolition, alterations, additions, and repairs (in certain cases)
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT?: Fees are calculated as: 1-2% of estimated building valuation (calculated by Montana Building Codes Program at time of application). Plan check fee: Due upon application submission.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT?: 1. Prepare detailed construction plans, specifications, site plans, and Building Permit/Plan Review Application form 2. Calculate estimated construction cost for fee assessment (1-2% of valuation) 3. Submit application with all required documents via EBIZ.MT.GOV portal, mail, email, or fax 4. Montana Building Codes Program conducts plan review (typically 2-3 weeks if plans are complete) 5. Respond in writing to any plan review comments or deficiencies 6. Submit full payment of building permit fees upon plan review approval 7. State building permit is issued upon satisfactory completion of plan review and fee payment 8. Contact assigned state inspector to schedule required inspections
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT?: Typical processing time is 2-3 weeks for plan review if plans are complete.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT?: The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings (structures not intended for human habitation or commercial use on agricultural property); Mining-related buildings located on mining property; Residential buildings containing less than five dwelling units (except hotels/transient housing); Private garages used solely for owner's own use (not part of a business); Private storage buildings used solely for owner's own use (not part of a business). Note: Office and shop buildings at petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills are NOT exempt. Farm/ranch buildings are exempt from energy code compliance; however, any change of use to habitable space or commercial use requires full permitting.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT?: Inspections can be scheduled via: . Permit holder must notify inspector when work is ready for inspection.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Unincorporated Petroleum County can be complicated.

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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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