You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-04.
Townsend building permits
VerifiedTownsend, Montana — as published 2026-07-04.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Building Permit — Residential Building (New Construction / Addition / Remodel)
VerifiedRequired for new one- and two-family residential construction, additions, remodels, and other structural building work within Townsend city limits, issued by the City of Townsend under its DLI-certified local Building (B) program (2021 IBC/IRC). No dedicated city-published application form or valuation-based fee schedule was located; contact Building Official James Schauber directly, (406) 431-8319.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Permit required for building construction, large repairs, roofing, and fence installation, per the City of Townsend's own public notice: 'Please check before doing any building or large repairs, roofing, installing fences, etc. as these need permits.'
- Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, to initiate the permit application and plan review process — no self-service online application or downloadable PDF form was found published by the city
- Reviewed against the 2021 IBC/IRC as the statewide-adopted editions (effective June 11, 2022) enforced locally by Townsend's certified building official
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationNo City of Townsend-specific application form was found published online (unlike East Helena's downloadable Construction Permit Application PDF). Applicants should contact Building Official James Schauber directly, (406) 431-8319, to obtain the current application.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee (new construction, addition, remodel) | No fee schedule was found published by the City of Townsend after checking townsendmontana.net (homepage, Notices & Information, Contact Us), townsendmt.com (including the Forms, Applications, Taxes page), and the Townsend municipal code platform. Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, for the current fee calculation. |
Swimming Pool Permit
VerifiedRequired for construction/installation of a swimming pool within Townsend city limits. Townsend is one of the Montana jurisdictions DLI-certified for Swimming Pool (SP) permitting in addition to Building (B), so this permit is issued locally by Building Official James Schauber under the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), rather than being routed to the state. No dedicated pool-specific application form or fee line distinct from the general building-permit process was found published by the city.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, since Townsend is DLI-certified for Swimming Pool (SP) permitting within city limits
- Reviewed against the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as statewide-adopted (effective June 11, 2022) and locally enforced by Townsend's certified building official
- No dedicated Townsend-specific pool application form, fee schedule, or barrier/fencing amendment was found published after checking the city's official website and the Chamber/community site
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding/Pool Permit ApplicationNo separate pool-specific application form was found published by the City of Townsend; contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Swimming Pool Permit Fee | No pool-specific fee line was found published by the City of Townsend. Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, for the current fee. |
Electrical Permit (State-Issued)
VerifiedRequired for electrical installation, alteration, or repair work anywhere in Townsend (city limits) and unincorporated Broadwater County. Because Townsend is NOT electrically-certified, this permit is issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau (Helena), not the city, under the 2020 NEC.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Application must be signed and dated by the licensed electrical contractor's person in charge
- Payment must be submitted with the application; incomplete applications are returned unprocessed
- Property address, GEOCODE/parcel/lot/block, owner information, and power company must be provided
- Alternative Energy Source (solar/wind/hydro) projects require an additional fee added to the base fee and must specify system type (Micro Inverter/AC Module System or PV String System for solar)
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Building Codes Program, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Family Dwelling or Cabin — up to 200-amp service (includes meter base and attached garages if wired at the same time) | $200 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1), fee option A — same statewide fee schedule documented in anaconda-deer-lodge.json |
| Single Family Dwelling or Cabin — 201 to 400-amp service | $380 | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1), fee option B |
| Single Family Dwelling or Cabin — 401 to 600-amp service | $600 | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1), fee option C |
| Single Family Dwelling or Cabin — 601-amp service and up | $800 | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1), fee option D |
| Residential Change of Service — exterior meter base & interior/exterior main disconnect only | $45 | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1), fee option I |
| Private Property Accessory Building (Garage, Barn, etc.) — up to 200-amp panel | $80 | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1), fee option K |
| Alternative Energy Source add-on (solar, wind, or hydro) | $45-$65 additional fee added to the selected base work type | Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1) — required in addition to base fee for any alternative energy project; figure varies by form revision, confirm current amount with the Building Codes Bureau |
| Request inspection, per hour | $60 (additional $30 for each 30 minutes or fraction thereof in excess of one hour, plus travel time) | Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1), fee option CC |
Plumbing Permit (including Water Heater) — State-Issued
VerifiedRequired for plumbing work anywhere in Townsend (city limits) and unincorporated Broadwater County, including new water heater installation/replacement. Because Townsend is NOT plumbing-certified, this permit is issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau (Helena) under the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, not the city.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Application must be signed by the Master Plumber and include Master Plumber License Number
- Accurate location and owner information required; property address, county, and whether the job is located inside city limits must be indicated
- Type of Building (Single Family, Multiple Family, Commercial/Public, Accessory Building) and Type of Work (New, Alteration/Addition) must be indicated
- Sewer Service Type (Public Sewer System or Septic System) and Potable Water Source (Potable Water Source or Public Utility) must be indicated
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 505, MCA and ARM 24.301.301 and ARM 24.301.361
- Homeowner exemption: a homeowner does NOT need a state plumbing permit if performing the plumbing installation themselves on their own owner-occupied residence not built for resale/rental, per the Montana Building Codes Bureau Plumbing Permits page
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Plumbing PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gray water system, commercial or residential | $60 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule — same statewide fee schedule documented in anaconda-deer-lodge.json |
| Repair or alteration of drainage or vent piping | $30 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
| Alteration or repair of water piping and/or treatment | $30 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
| Each connection of building water supply to water service/public utility or private well | $20 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
| Each connection of building drain to sewer system/public or septic | $20 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
| Each NEW water heater (or replacement) | $25 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
| Each storm drain and storm drainage | $30 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
| Each lawn sprinkler, fire protection system, any meter, or backflow protection device | $30 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
| Each hose bibb, vacuum, breaker, and/or backflow device | $6 | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
| Each plumbing fixture or trap (bath tub, lavatory, shower, water closet, kitchen sink, etc.) | $10 per fixture/trap | Application for Plumbing Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit — State-Issued
VerifiedRequired for mechanical/HVAC work anywhere in Townsend (city limits) and unincorporated Broadwater County, including furnaces, gas piping, ventilation, and cooling equipment. Because Townsend is NOT mechanically-certified, this permit is issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau (Helena) under the 2021 International Mechanical Code, not the city.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Accurate location and owner information required for permitting
- Type of Building (Multiple Family, Commercial/Public, Accessory Building, Public Building, Factory Building, Warehouse Building) and Type of Work (New, Addition/remodel, Alteration) must be indicated
- Project Value must be provided; permit fee is calculated from the state's valuation-based fee schedule
- Boiler work requires a separate Boiler Permit form, not the Mechanical Permit
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 104, MCA and ARM 24.301.172
- Exemptions include: farm/ranch buildings, mining buildings on mining property, residential buildings containing fewer than five dwelling units (except when serving transient guests), and private garages/storage buildings for the owner's own use, per the Montana Building Codes Bureau Mechanical Permits page
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Mechanical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Department of Labor and Industry / BCB / PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Permit — Project value $0–$10,000 | $48 for the first $1,000, plus $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Mechanical Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule — same statewide fee schedule documented in anaconda-deer-lodge.json |
| Mechanical Permit — Project value $10,001–$50,000 | $166 for the first $10,000, plus $9 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Application for Mechanical Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
| Mechanical Permit — Project value $50,001 or more | $514 for the first $50,000, plus $6 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Application for Mechanical Permit (BCP-1), Fee Schedule |
Residential/Commercial Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
VerifiedBecause Townsend is not DLI-certified for electrical (its certification is Building and Swimming Pool only), solar PV interconnection/electrical work anywhere within Townsend city limits is issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not the City. This file's own Electrical Permit entry already confirms the exact real fee mechanism: the State's Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1) carries a dedicated 'Alternative Energy Source add-on (solar, wind, or hydro)' fee of $45-$65, added on top of the base electrical work-type fee, and the application requires the applicant to specify the solar system type (Micro Inverter/AC Module System or PV String System). Racking/mounting structural work is permitted locally by City Building Official James Schauber under the City's Building (B) certification, using the same unpublished-fee mechanism documented in this file's Residential Building Permit entry.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical interconnection/wiring for a solar PV system is filed with the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, not the City of Townsend, since the City holds no electrical certification — per the same trade split already documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry
- Application must specify the Alternative Energy Source type — Micro Inverter/AC Module System or PV String System for solar — per the state Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1)
- Alternative Energy Source add-on fee ($45-$65) is charged in addition to whatever base electrical work-type fee applies (e.g., new service, change of service, accessory building panel)
- Racking/mounting structural work requires a City of Townsend Building Permit from Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319 — no dedicated city application form or fee schedule is published (same gap documented in this file's Residential Building Permit entry)
- Apply for the state electrical/alternative-energy permit in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431, the same statutory basis documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical Permit (Alternative Energy Source)Montana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1), specifying Micro Inverter/AC Module System or PV String System for solar; mailed with payment to Building Codes Program, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (racking/mounting scope)No City of Townsend-specific form is published online; contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, to obtain the current application
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative Energy Source add-on (solar, wind, or hydro) | $45-$65 additional fee added to the selected base work type | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1) — the exact same real, state-published fee already documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry. |
| Single Family Dwelling or Cabin — up to 200-amp service (base electrical fee, if applicable to the interconnection scope) | $200 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1), fee option A — same statewide fee schedule already documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry. |
| Building Permit Fee (structural mounting/racking) | No fee schedule was found published by the City of Townsend for the racking/mounting scope, consistent with the general fee-publication gap already documented in this file's Residential Building Permit entry. Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, for the current fee. |
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Permit (State-Issued)
VerifiedBecause Townsend is NOT electrically-certified, an EV charger/EVSE circuit installation anywhere in Townsend city limits (or unincorporated Broadwater County) requires a Residential (or Commercial) Electrical Permit issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, under the 2020 NEC — the same mechanism documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry. The Bureau's own Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1) fee table has no dedicated EV-charger line item; the closest applicable category is 'H. 1 additional circuit or piece of equipment' ($45) or 'G. 2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment' ($70) if no panel/service change is involved, or the service-amperage-based categories already documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry if the installation requires a panel/service upgrade.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1) must be signed and dated by the licensed electrical contractor's person in charge, per the same process documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry
- Payment must be submitted with the application; incomplete applications are returned unprocessed
- Applicant selects the applicable 'Type of Work' category on the state form — for a standalone EV charger circuit with no service/panel change, this is '1 additional circuit or piece of equipment' ($45) or '2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment' ($70); a panel upgrade to support the charger instead falls under the service-amperage-based categories already documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431
- No Townsend-specific or DLI-published EV-charger-specific line item exists — this entry cites the closest real, applicable statewide fee categories rather than an invented EV-specific figure
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Building Codes Program, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 additional circuit or piece of equipment (e.g., a standalone EV charger circuit, no panel/service change) | $45 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1) — no dedicated EV-charger line exists; this is the closest applicable 'Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire' category for a single added circuit. |
| 2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment only | $70 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit (BCP-1) — applicable if the EV charger installation involves more than one added circuit. |
| Single Family Dwelling or Cabin — up to 200-amp service (if a panel/service upgrade is required to support the charger) | $200 | Same statewide fee schedule documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry; applies only if the EV charger installation triggers a service/panel change rather than a simple added circuit. |
Sign Permit (Commercial/Business Signage)
The City of Townsend's own department description confirms zoning exists locally ('The City has adopted Building Codes, has a building inspector and Zoning'), but no dedicated sign-permit application, sign-code chapter, sign-standard table, or sign fee schedule was found published after checking townsendmontana.net (its full page sitemap was enumerated directly — no page addresses signs), a site search of townsendmt.com for 'sign permit' (zero relevant results; only an unrelated job listing matched), the City's Planning Board agenda page (which links no zoning ordinance or sign-code document), and the Townsend municipal-code platform (a non-browsable ordinance-drafting interface, per the gap already documented elsewhere in this file). Absent a distinct sign-permit product, whether a given commercial sign needs a permit is understood to depend on its physical scope: a freestanding sign requiring a structural footing/foundation would fall under the City's own Building Permit (James Schauber, DLI-certified for Building), while an illuminated sign requiring an electrical connection would require a State Electrical Permit from the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, since Townsend holds no electrical certification — the same trade split already documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry. This is a genuine documentation gap, not an inferred fee or requirement.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- No dedicated City of Townsend sign-permit application, sign-code chapter, or sign fee schedule was found published after checking townsendmontana.net (full site sitemap), townsendmt.com (site search for 'sign permit' returned no relevant matches), the Planning Board agenda page, and the Townsend municipal-code platform
- Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, to determine whether a proposed commercial sign requires a City Building Permit (e.g., a freestanding sign with a footing/foundation) before installation
- An illuminated sign requiring an electrical connection triggers a State Electrical Permit from the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, since Townsend holds no electrical certification — the same trade split already documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry
- No zoning ordinance document, sign-standard table, or Planning Board sign policy was found published online despite the City's own confirmation that it has adopted Zoning locally
Required documents
- OptionalBuilding Permit Application (if sign involves structural work)No City of Townsend-specific sign or building application form is published online; contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, to determine if a structural sign footing/foundation requires this
- OptionalApplication for Electrical Permit (if sign is illuminated)Montana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1), required if the sign has an electrical/illuminated connection, since Townsend is not electrically certified — same form and process documented in this file's Electrical Permit entry
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Permit Fee | No sign-specific fee schedule was found published by the City of Townsend after checking townsendmontana.net (full site sitemap), townsendmt.com, and the municipal code platform. Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, for current requirements and any applicable fee. | |
| State Electrical Permit fee (if sign is illuminated) | If applicable, see this file's Electrical Permit entry for the currently-published statewide BCP-1 fee schedule (e.g., additional-circuit categories) that would apply to an illuminated sign's electrical connection. |
Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Permit
Montana's DLI certified-jurisdictions legend (updated 04/22/2026: B = Building, P = Plumbing, M/G = Medical Gas, E = Electrical, M = Mechanical, SP = Pool, W = WUI) contains no distinct 'Fire' trade code at all — confirming no Montana city, including Townsend, is separately DLI-certified for fire-system plan review. Townsend maintains its own City Volunteer Fire Department (Fire Chief Shawn Simon, 130 South Cedar, Townsend, MT 59644; main line (406) 266-5535, which transfers to the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office after five rings; Chief's direct line (406) 266-1886, citytvfdmt43@outlook.com), per the City's own website — but that page describes only its emergency-response role (meets the first Thursday of each month at the City Fire Hall); no fire-code-enforcement, plan-review, or permitting function is described. The Broadwater County Rural Fire District, headquartered at the same 130 S Cedar St station, serves the area outside city limits and likewise has no published fire-plan-review or permitting role. Because Townsend IS Montana DLI-certified for Building (B) within city limits, and the statewide fire-protection-system rule (ARM 24.301.146, incorporated into the 2021 IBC Chapter 9 as adopted statewide effective June 11, 2022) places the 'authority having jurisdiction' for IBC-required fire protection systems on the local building official by default absent a documented delegation to a governmental fire agency organized under Title 7, Chapter 33, MCA and approved by the Montana DOJ Fire Prevention and Investigation Section — and no such delegation to either Townsend fire agency was found published — fire sprinkler and fire alarm work tied to a building within Townsend city limits is understood to route through Building Official James Schauber as part of the general Building Permit process, rather than a dedicated fire-system permit. Note: the citation 'ARM 23.7.121' is NOT used here, as it has been independently confirmed incorrect for Montana fire-plan-review in prior research on this dataset.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- No separate fire-sprinkler/alarm permit application, fee schedule, or fire-prevention-code chapter was found published by the City of Townsend, the Townsend City Volunteer Fire Department, or the Broadwater County Rural Fire District after checking each entity's available public pages
- Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, since fire protection systems required by the 2021 IBC within Townsend city limits are understood to be reviewed as part of the standard Building Permit process, per Townsend's DLI certification for Building (B) and the statewide default-authority rule (ARM 24.301.146) absent any documented delegation to a fire agency
- Reviewed against 2021 IBC Chapter 9 (Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems) and its referenced NFPA standards, as adopted statewide effective June 11, 2022
- System design, installation, and service must be performed by an individual holding the applicable Montana DLI Fire Protection License Program endorsement — a statewide individual-licensing requirement independent of which local authority reviews the permit
- Montana's certified-jurisdictions legend (B, P, M/G, E, M, SP, W) contains no distinct 'Fire' trade code — confirming no Montana city, including Townsend, is separately DLI-certified for fire plan review
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (fire protection system scope)No City of Townsend-specific fire-sprinkler/alarm application form is published; contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, since this work is understood to be submitted through the general Building Permit process (same documentation gap already noted in this file's Residential Building Permit entry)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Sprinkler/Alarm System Permit Fee | No fire-sprinkler/alarm-specific fee line was found published by the City of Townsend, the Townsend City Volunteer Fire Department, or the Broadwater County Rural Fire District. The general (also unpublished) Building Permit fee process is presumed to apply since no dedicated fire-system fee or form exists. Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319. |
Change of Use / Occupancy Permit
The City of Townsend's own department description confirms the city 'has adopted Building Codes, has a building inspector and Zoning,' but no standalone change-of-use, change-of-occupancy, or Certificate of Occupancy application, fee, or zoning ordinance document was found published after checking the City's official website (its full page sitemap was enumerated directly), the Chamber/community site (townsendmt.com), the City's Planning Board agenda page, and the Townsend municipal-code platform (a non-browsable ordinance-drafting interface, per the gap already documented elsewhere in this file). Because Townsend is Montana DLI-certified for Building (B) within city limits, a change of occupancy or use involving construction work or an IBC/IEBC occupancy-classification change is understood to route through the same general Building Permit process (Building Official James Schauber) documented elsewhere in this file, reviewed under the 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) Chapter 10 (Change of Occupancy) as statewide-adopted. Any zoning-side review of the proposed use itself would separately involve the City's Planning Board, whose meeting agendas and minutes are published online, but whose zoning ordinance text and use tables were not located published anywhere online. This is a genuine documentation gap, not an inferred fee or timeline.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, for any change of occupancy or use involving construction work or an occupancy-classification change under the IBC/IEBC, since Townsend is DLI-certified for Building (B) within city limits
- Reviewed against 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) Chapter 10 (Change of Occupancy), as statewide-adopted effective June 11, 2022 and enforced locally for the Building trade by Townsend's certified building official
- A zoning-side review of a proposed new use (e.g., whether a use is permitted in a given district) may separately require review by the Townsend Planning Board, whose meeting agendas and minutes are published at townsendmontana.net/committees-and-boards/, though no zoning ordinance text, use-table, or dedicated use-classification application was found published online
- No standalone Certificate of Occupancy application form, change-of-use fee, or zoning use-classification fee distinct from the general (also unpublished) Building Permit fee process was found published by the City of Townsend
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit Application (change of occupancy / use scope)No City of Townsend-specific change-of-use or Certificate of Occupancy form is published online; contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319, to obtain the current application (same documentation gap already noted in this file's Residential Building Permit entry)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Occupancy / Change of Use Fee | No change-of-use or Certificate-of-Occupancy-specific fee line was found published by the City of Townsend after checking townsendmontana.net (full site sitemap), townsendmt.com, and the municipal code platform. The general (also unpublished) Building Permit fee process is presumed to apply. Contact Building Official James Schauber, (406) 431-8319. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-04.
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Townsend building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.