County Building Permits
Richland County, MT - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Richland County, Montana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Building permits and land use regulation for unincorporated Crane area
- Department
- Richland County Building Department
- Address
- 1105 3rd Street NW, Sidney, MT 59270
- Phone
- (406) 433-2809
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Paper-based application system • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact Richland County Building Inspector at (406) 433-2809 or Richland County Planning at (406) 433-6886
- Download Building Permit Application from richland.org
- Complete application in Word or print and fill by hand
- Print 3 copies of application
- Obtain required signatures and approvals
- Submit application and supporting documents
- Plan review (2-3 weeks)
- Address any review comments
- Pay fees per county fee schedule
- Receive permit and begin construction
- Schedule inspections with Building Inspector
- Pass all required inspections
- Obtain Certificate of Occupancy
Typical processing time: 2-3 weeks for plan review
General Requirements
Building construction, remodels, additions, septic systems, structural/mechanical/electrical/plumbing work
Required Documents
- Building Permit Application
- Site plan
- Construction drawings
- Project description
- Estimated cost
- Zoning verification
- Building code
- International Building Code 2012 Edition; Uniform Plumbing Code 2012; International Mechanical Code 2012; National Electrical Code 2014
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Percentage of estimated construction cost plus state fees
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Richland County Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ()
- Scheduling deadline
- 24 hours advance notice required
- Time windows
- Inspector must perform inspection within 72 hours of notification
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, final building inspection
Additional Resources
- Building code: International Building Code 2012 Edition; Uniform Plumbing Code 2012; International Mechanical Code 2012; National Electrical Code 2014
- Richland County Downloadable Documents
- Richland County Fees
- Montana Building Codes Program
- 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 Richland County Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Richland County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Richland County, MT?
- Building construction, remodels, additions, septic systems, structural/mechanical/electrical/plumbing work
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Richland County, MT?
- Fees are calculated as: Percentage of estimated construction cost plus state fees.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Richland County, MT?
- 1. Contact Richland County Building Inspector at (406) 433-2809 or Richland County Planning at (406) 433-6886 2. Download Building Permit Application from richland.org 3. Complete application in Word or print and fill by hand 4. Print 3 copies of application 5. Obtain required signatures and approvals 6. Submit application and supporting documents 7. Plan review (2-3 weeks) 8. Address any review comments 9. Pay fees per county fee schedule 10. Receive permit and begin construction 11. Schedule inspections with Building Inspector 12. Pass all required inspections 13. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Richland County, MT?
- Typical processing time is 2-3 weeks for plan review.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Richland County, MT?
- The following work is generally exempt: Painting, wallpapering, finish work; Agricultural structures (specific criteria apply; contact county); Minor repairs not involving system changes; Non-structural maintenance.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Richland County, MT?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: . 24 hours advance notice required.
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