jaspector
§ MT Petroleum County
County building permits

Unincorporated Petroleum County

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

Last verified
March 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

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

Street address
P.O. Box 200517, Helena, MT 59602
Phone
(406) 841-2056
Email
BUILDINGCODES@MT.GOV
Coverage
State-level enforcement for unincorporated Petroleum County. Petroleum County does not maintain a certified local building code enforcement program.
Online portal
Accela Citizen Access
Accela
Website
Department website
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Petroleum County

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)

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)
  • Exempt Farm and ranch buildings (structures not intended for human habitation or commercial use on agricultural property)
  • Exempt Mining-related buildings located on mining property
  • Exempt Residential buildings containing less than five dwelling units (except hotels/transient housing)
  • Exempt Private garages used solely for owner's own use (not part of a business)
  • Exempt 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.

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.

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

§ 03

Application process

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

  1. 01
    Prepare detailed construction plans, specifications, site plans, and Building Permit/Plan Review Application form
  2. 02
    Calculate estimated construction cost for fee assessment (1-2% of valuation)
  3. 03
    Submit application with all required documents via EBIZ.MT.GOV portal, mail, email, or fax
  4. 04
    Montana Building Codes Program conducts plan review (typically 2-3 weeks if plans are complete)
  5. 05
    Respond in writing to any plan review comments or deficiencies
  6. 06
    Submit full payment of building permit fees upon plan review approval
  7. 07
    State building permit is issued upon satisfactory completion of plan review and fee payment
  8. 08
    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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Petroleum County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Due upon application submission
02
Permit fee formula
1-2% of estimated building valuation (calculated by Montana Building Codes Program at time of application)

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.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Contact assigned state inspector directly to schedule inspections (phone)
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 sequence: Typical building projects require: foundation/footing inspection, rough-in inspections (framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing), and final inspection upon project completion.

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

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Petroleum County permits

01 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)
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT, follow these steps: 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
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT typically run 2-3 weeks for plan review if plans are complete. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Petroleum County, MT via: Contact assigned state inspector directly to schedule inspections. Permit holder must notify inspector when work is ready for inspection.
last verified March 2026 source Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau ↗ entry id permits/montana/petroleum/unincorporated
Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

← Back to Petroleum County permit guides