Mechanical / HVAC Permit in Great Falls, Montana
VerifiedRequired for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fuel gas, and related mechanical installations in Great Falls. Governed by the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) as adopted by the City of Great Falls. Homeowners may obtain a Homeowner's Mechanical Permit for owner-occupied residences.
Verified 2026-07-02 · Source
When you need this permit
- Mechanical permit required for installation, relocation, or alteration of furnaces, boilers, gas piping, and related equipment
- Homeowners may obtain a Homeowner's Mechanical Permit for work on their own owner-occupied, non-rental residence; work must be performed by the owner or an immediate family member residing there
- Governed by the 2021 IMC and 2021 IFGC as locally adopted
Required documents
- Optional
Homeowner's Mechanical Permit Application
For owner-occupant self-permitted mechanical work; includes occupancy/ownership acknowledgment checkboxes (Updated 3/2026)
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Issuance Fee | $34.39 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Mechanical Permit Fees — Effective August 7, 2018; verified visually from the rendered resolution PDF page |
| Furnace/burner installation or relocation — forced-air or gravity-type, up to and including 100,000 Btu/h | $19.04 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Mechanical Permit Fees, Item 1 — verified visually from the rendered resolution PDF page (text extraction had column misalignment on this page; figure confirmed by direct visual read of the source PDF) |
| Furnace/burner installation or relocation — over 100,000 Btu/h | $22.72 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Mechanical Permit Fees, Item 1 — verified visually |
| Floor furnace installation or relocation, including vent | $19.04 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Mechanical Permit Fees, Item 1 — verified visually |
| Gas piping system — per outlet | $7.00 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Mechanical Permit Fees, Item 2 — verified visually |
| Mobile/Manufactured Home hookup | $19.04 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Mechanical Permit Fees, Item 3 — verified visually |
| Repair, alteration, or addition to heating/cooling/absorption appliance or system | $17.68 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Mechanical Permit Fees, Item 5 — verified visually |
| Ventilation fan connected to a single duct | $10.07 | Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Mechanical Permit Fees, Item 9 — verified visually |
| Re-inspection Fee | $67.63 per hour, minimum 1-hour charge | City of Great Falls Homeowner's Mechanical 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, Mechanical Permit Fees, Item 5 (Other Inspection and Fees) |
Review timeline
~1–10 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Great Falls building department
Inspection process
- 1
Gas Piping Pressure Test
Required before concealing gas piping
- 2
Rough-In
Ductwork and mechanical equipment rough-in before walls closed
- 3
Final
Equipment operational, combustion air and venting verified
Tips
- A typical furnace replacement (up to 100,000 Btu/h) costs $34.39 (issuance) + $19.04 (unit fee) = $53.43 in Great Falls, per Resolution 10374.
- Contact the City Mechanical Inspector at (406) 455-8533 before starting a homeowner-permitted mechanical project.
- The mechanical fee page of Resolution 10374 is dense and multi-column — all figures used here were cross-verified by rendering the source PDF to an image and reading it visually, not just text-extracted, due to known column-alignment risk in this document.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to replace my furnace in Great Falls?
- Yes. Furnace replacement requires a mechanical permit. For a standard forced-air furnace up to 100,000 Btu/h, the fee is $34.39 (issuance) plus $19.04 (unit fee) per Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A.
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 — Mechanical Permit Fees, Exhibit A
- Homeowner's Mechanical Permit Application (Updated 3/2026)
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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