Unincorporated Phillips County

Building permits required for new building construction, alterations, additions, and repairs to existing structures, structures other than residential buildings with less than 5 dwelling units (unless local jurisdiction requires), and plumbing, mechanical, and electrical work

• Exempt Residential buildings with fewer than 5 dwelling units (except transient guest facilities)
• Exempt Private garages and private storage buildings for owner's own use (not part of commercial enterprise)
• Exempt Accessory structures: covered entryways, covered patios/porches, covered decks, lean-to structures when added to existing residential buildings (non-habitable storage only)
• Exempt Interior painting, wallpapering, carpeting
• Exempt Roof coating or waterproofing
• Exempt Window replacement (in-kind)
• Exempt Repair and maintenance of existing structures (minor work without structural changes)

Note: Exemptions vary by local jurisdiction; check with Phillips County or specific city for local variations

Building code

2021 International Building Code (IBC), 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 International Energy Conservation Code, 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (adopted June 9, 2022; Montana plans to adopt 2024 ICC codes in mid-2026)

Owner-builder

Residential buildings with fewer than 5 dwelling units may be exempt from state-level building permit requirements unless otherwise required locally

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

1. 01
   Prepare complete construction plans and specifications (architectural drawings, structural plans, site plans, engineering reports as needed)
2. 02
   Complete the Building Permit/Plan Review Application form
3. 03
   Submit application and plans via EBIZ portal (https://ebiz.mt.gov/) or by mail to the Montana Building Codes Program, P.O. Box 200517, Helena, MT 59602
4. 04
   Pay building permit fee and plan review fee (35% of permit fee) before permit issuance
5. 05
   Receive permit from the Building Codes Program
6. 06
   Commence construction according to approved plans
7. 07
   Schedule required inspections with assigned state inspector (minimum 24-hour notice)
8. 08
   Pass all required inspections (foundation, framing, rough-ins, insulation, final)
9. 09
   Receive Certificate of Occupancy upon final inspection approval

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

Both permit fee and plan review fee must be paid before permit issuance. Travel and per diem charged per state of Montana rates. Wind farm turbines: $200 first turbine, $100 each additional. Solar fields: $100 per megawatt.

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

• Contact assigned state inspector (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Minimum 24-hour notice required for all inspection requests

Time windows

Same-day inspections accommodated as schedules allow

Typical sequence: 1. Foundation inspection (before concrete placement or excavation backfill); 2. Framing and rough-ins inspection (after electrical, plumbing, mechanical rough-in; before insulation and drywall); 3. Insulation and energy inspection (verification of R-values and air sealing); 4. Final inspection (before certificate of occupancy; verifies code compliance and life safety); 5. Additional inspections may be required based on project type

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