Rosebud County, MT — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Rosebud County Clerk & Recorder / Montana Building Codes Program

Street address

Forsyth, MT (County address available on county website)

Phone

406-346-7318 (County Clerk); 406-841-2056 (Montana Building Codes Program)

BUILDINGCODES@MT.GOV

Coverage

Unincorporated areas of Rosebud County fall under STATE JURISDICTION (Montana Building Codes Program). County Clerk maintains records for land use and access permits.

Online portal

EBIZ.MT.GOV - State of Montana Online Permit Portal

EBIZ.MT.GOV (State system)

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Rosebud County

New buildings, substantial alterations, additions, and repairs. Farm/ranch buildings, mining buildings, refineries, and some residential structures exempt. Plumbing and electrical permits required even in state jurisdiction areas.

Scope of work

Permit?

Farm and ranch buildings

Exempt

Mining buildings on mining property

Exempt

Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office/shop buildings)

Exempt

Residential buildings containing less than 5 dwelling units (except transient guest use)

Exempt

Private garages and private storage buildings for owner's use only (not commercial)

Exempt

Additions to residential-only buildings: covered entries, covered patios/porches, covered decks, lean-to storage structures

Exempt

Sheds less than 200 square feet

Exempt

Exempt Farm and ranch buildings
Exempt Mining buildings on mining property
Exempt Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office/shop buildings)
Exempt Residential buildings containing less than 5 dwelling units (except transient guest use)
Exempt Private garages and private storage buildings for owner's use only (not commercial)
Exempt Additions to residential-only buildings: covered entries, covered patios/porches, covered decks, lean-to storage structures
Exempt Sheds less than 200 square feet

Note: Plumbing and electrical permits still required for exempt structures in state jurisdiction

Required documents

Signed and sealed construction plans
Completed Building Permit/Plan Review Application
Proof of property ownership or authorization
Energy code compliance documentation for residential

Building code: Montana Building Code 2021 (IBC 2021-based), Montana Residential Code 2021 (IRC 2021-based), International Mechanical Code 2021, International Fuel Gas Code 2021, International Energy Conservation Code 2021 (IECC 2021), National Electrical Code 2020, Uniform Plumbing Code 2021. Future adoption of 2024 ICC family planned for mid-2026.

Source: Rosebud County Clerk & Recorder / Montana Building Codes Program ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 3 weeks (plan review phase); additional time for revisions if required

01

Contact Montana Building Codes Program at (406) 841-2056 or visit EBIZ.MT.GOV to determine if project requires state building permit
02

Prepare construction plans complying with Montana Building Code 2021 (based on IBC 2021 and IRC 2021)
03

Submit Building Permit/Plan Review Application with construction plans via EBIZ.MT.GOV or by mail
04

Plan review period: approximately 3 weeks average
05

Receive plan review comment letter with any required modifications
06

Address all comments and submit revised plans if needed
07

Upon approval of all comments and receipt of payment, state building permit is issued
08

Contractor notifies state inspector when work is ready for required inspections
09

Final approval issued upon completion of all required inspections

Typical processing time: 3 weeks (plan review phase); additional time for revisions if required

Source: Rosebud County Clerk & Recorder / Montana Building Codes Program ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Rosebud County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

1-2% of total building valuation (plan review + permit issuance fees)

State program calculates fees based on total building value per ARM Rule 24.301.138. Contact program for specific fee amounts.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Notify Montana Building Codes Program inspector when work is ready for required inspections (phone)

Typical sequence: Required inspections: (1) foundation inspection before concrete pour, (2) framing/rough-in inspection after framing complete with electrical/plumbing roughed in but before walls covered, (3) final inspection when all work complete. Inspections performed by Montana DLI Building & Commercial Measurements Bureau inspectors.

Source: Rosebud County Clerk & Recorder / Montana Building Codes Program ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Rosebud County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: 1-2% of total building valuation (plan review + permit issuance fees).

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT, follow these steps: 1. Contact Montana Building Codes Program at (406) 841-2056 or visit EBIZ.MT.GOV to determine if project requires state building permit 2. Prepare construction plans complying with Montana Building Code 2021 (based on IBC 2021 and IRC 2021) 3. Submit Building Permit/Plan Review Application with construction plans via EBIZ.MT.GOV or by mail 4. Plan review period: approximately 3 weeks average 5. Receive plan review comment letter with any required modifications 6. Address all comments and submit revised plans if needed 7. Upon approval of all comments and receipt of payment, state building permit is issued 8. Contractor notifies state inspector when work is ready for required inspections 9. Final approval issued upon completion of all required inspections

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT typically run 3 weeks (plan review phase); additional time for revisions if required. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT. The following work is generally exempt: Farm and ranch buildings; Mining buildings on mining property; Petroleum refineries and pulp/paper mills (except office/shop buildings); Residential buildings containing less than 5 dwelling units (except transient guest use); Private garages and private storage buildings for owner's use only (not commercial); Additions to residential-only buildings: covered entries, covered patios/porches, covered decks, lean-to storage structures; Sheds less than 200 square feet. Note: Plumbing and electrical permits still required for exempt structures in state jurisdiction When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Rosebud County, MT via: Notify Montana Building Codes Program inspector when work is ready for required inspections.

last verified March 2026 source Rosebud County Clerk & Recorder / Montana Building Codes Program ↗ entry id permits/montana/rosebud/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Rosebud County Clerk & Recorder / Montana Building Codes Program before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Rosebud County