This is PermitBase’s published record for Townsend as of 2026-07-04. It has since been superseded — see the current record. A historical record reflects what PermitBase had verified at that time; it may not capture a real-world change the jurisdiction had made but PermitBase had not yet verified, and it includes any errors we later corrected. Snapshots are never edited retroactively.
Townsend building permits
VerifiedTownsend, Montana — as published 2026-07-04.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Codes adopted
Montana has a mandatory statewide building code administered by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Building Codes Bureau, amended by the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Title 24, Chapter 301. Cities, counties, and towns may become 'certified' to locally administer permitting and inspection for all or part of the code (building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, swimming pool, WUI, etc.); non-certified trades within a certified jurisdiction, and all trades in non-certified areas, fall under direct state administration by the DLI Building Codes Bureau. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Certified City, County and Town Programs and Current Codes pages (bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits).Townsend is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Building (B) and Swimming Pool (SP) ONLY within Townsend city limits — James Schauber is the certified building official of record, (406) 431-8319. Townsend is NOT certified for Electrical (E), Plumbing (P), or Mechanical (M); those permits are issued directly by the state DLI Building Codes Bureau for all addresses within Townsend city limits. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, 'CITY CODES BUILDING OFFICIAL PHONE JURISDICTION' certified-jurisdictions PDF (https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdf), updated 04/22/2026 — Townsend row reads 'B, SP / James Schauber / 431-8319 / City Limits'; independently cross-confirmed against the DLI 'Certified City, County and Town Programs' HTML page (bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/certified-government), same B, SP result. Legend on the PDF: B = Building, P = Plumbing, M/G = Medical Gas, E = Electrical, M = Mechanical, SP = Pool, W = WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface).The City of Townsend's own website (townsendmontana.net) does not publish a dedicated building-permit application form, fee schedule, or online permitting portal as of this research pass — its public-facing content states only that 'The City has adopted Building Codes, has a building inspector and Zoning' and that permits are required for 'building, large repairs, roofing, installing fences, etc.' No city-specific Construction Permit Application PDF (of the kind published by East Helena, for example) was located on townsendmontana.net or the Chamber/community site townsendmt.com after checking the homepage, Notices & Information page, Contact Us page, and the Forms/Applications/Taxes page. Source: City of Townsend homepage, https://townsendmontana.net/; Townsend Notices & Information, https://townsendmontana.net/notices-information/.2021 International Building Code (IBC) — statewide edition effective June 11, 2022, adopted by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau and enforced locally within Townsend by its DLI-certified building official for the Building trade. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Current Codes page, bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/current-codes.2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — statewide edition effective June 11, 2022, applicable to one- and two-family dwelling construction within Townsend city limits under the city's certified Building program. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Current Codes page.2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — statewide edition effective June 11, 2022, applicable to new construction reviewed under Townsend's local Building program. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Current Codes page.2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), and 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessibility Standard — statewide editions effective June 11, 2022, applicable within Townsend as the locally-enforced editions for the Building and Swimming Pool trades the city is certified for. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Current Codes page.2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), and 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) all apply within Townsend city limits as the statewide-adopted editions (effective June 11, 2022) but are administered directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau (Helena), not the City of Townsend, because Townsend holds no local certification for those trades. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Current Codes page; DLI Building Codes Bureau Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical Permits pages.
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… Show full citationHideNo 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 |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-04.
Applications & forms
Codes & ordinances
Department & other records
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.