Electrical Permit in Great Falls, Montana
VerifiedRequired for electrical installations, alterations, and repairs in Great Falls. Governed by the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) as adopted by the City of Great Falls (September 9, 2022) and Montana statewide (effective June 11, 2022). Homeowners may obtain a Homeowner's Electrical Permit for work on their own owner-occupied residence.
Verified 2026-07-02 · Source
When you need this permit
- Electrical permit required for any installation in new construction, remodeling, or repair (OCCGF Title 15)
- A homeowner may wire their own home, garage, and premises using a Homeowner's Electrical Permit — work must be performed by the owner or an immediate family member who also resides in the home; using the permit for work performed by anyone else is a citable violation under OCCGF Chapter 15.8.060
- Homeowner permit applicant must certify the home has not been sold, is not being sold, is the applicant's primary residence, and is not used for rental purposes
- All work governed by the 2020 NEC as locally adopted
Required documents
- Optional
Homeowner's Electrical Permit Application
Required for owner-occupant self-permitted electrical work; includes acknowledgment checkboxes on occupancy/ownership status (Updated 3/2026)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Issuance Fee | $34.39 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Electric Permit Fees (Table No. 3-B) — Effective August 7, 2018, verified from resolution text |
| New Residential Buildings — 0 to 750 sq ft | $51.81 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, System Fee Schedule Item 1(a); does not include permit issuance fee |
| New Residential Buildings — 751 to 4,000 sq ft | $51.81 plus $0.10 per sq ft over 750 sq ft | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, System Fee Schedule Item 1(a) |
| New Residential Buildings — over 4,000 sq ft | $273.17 plus $0.08 per sq ft over 4,000 sq ft | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, System Fee Schedule Item 1(a) |
| Mobile/Manufactured Home connection or reconnection | $27.87 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, System Fee Schedule Item 2 |
| Residential Appliances (fixed appliances/receptacles: ranges, water heaters, dryers, dishwashers, etc.) | $21.49 each | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, System Fee Schedule Item 7 |
| Services — 600 volts or less, up to 200 amps | $39.17 each | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, System Fee Schedule Item 10 |
| Services — 600 volts or less, over 200 to 1,000 amps | $75.86 each | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, System Fee Schedule Item 10 |
| Services — over 600 volts or over 1,000 amps | $152.97 each | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, System Fee Schedule Item 10 |
| Private Swimming Pools & Hot Tubs (new, complete electrical system) | $27.87 each | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, System Fee Schedule Item 4 |
| Re-inspection Fee | $67.63 per hour, minimum 1-hour charge | City of Great Falls Homeowner's Electrical Permit Application (Updated 3/2026) — current rate; supersedes the $62.62/hr figure in Resolution 10374 |
| Investigation Fee (work commenced before permit issuance) | Equal to the permit fee | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Electric Permit Fees, Item 16 |
Review timeline
~1–10 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Great Falls building department
Inspection process
- 1
Rough-In
Wiring and conduit installed before walls closed
- 2
Final
All devices installed, panel labeled, service energized
Tips
- Homeowners may self-permit electrical work on their own owner-occupied, non-rental residence using a Homeowner's Electrical Permit — the work must be done by the owner or a co-resident immediate family member, not a third party. This includes a maximum of three inspections.
- Contact the City Electrical Inspector at (406) 455-8534 before starting a homeowner-permitted project.
- An Investigation Fee equal to the full permit fee is charged if work begins before a permit is issued.
- Great Falls' 2020 NEC adoption date differs from its 2021-cycle building/residential/mechanical/plumbing codes — the NEC edition matches Montana's statewide 2020 NEC adoption, not the 2021 code cycle used for the other trades.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a homeowner do their own electrical work in Great Falls?
- Yes. A homeowner may obtain a Homeowner's Electrical Permit to wire their own home, garage, and premises, provided they own and occupy the residence (not a rental or spec-built home) and the work is performed by the owner or an immediate family member who also lives there. Work by anyone else under that permit is a citable violation of OCCGF Chapter 15.8.060.
- What electrical code does Great Falls use?
- The 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), adopted by the City of Great Falls on September 9, 2022, matching Montana's statewide 2020 NEC adoption under ARM Title 24, Chapter 301.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.
- City of Great Falls Building Division (Planning & Community Development Department) — official building department
- Resolution No. 10374 — Electric Permit Fees (Table No. 3-B), Exhibit A
- Homeowner's Electrical Permit Application (Updated 3/2026)
- Montana Building Codes Bureau — Current Codes
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 Great Falls building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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