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Residential Addition / Alteration / Remodel Permit in Great Falls, Montana

Required for additions, remodels, and structural alterations to existing single-family and duplex residences in Great Falls. Uses the same Title 15 valuation-based fee table as new construction. Includes basement finishes and other alterations affecting structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems.

Verified 2026-07-02 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Room additions, basement finishes, and structural alterations to existing residences
  • Complete application disclosing total project value (contract price or estimated material/labor value for owner-performed work)
  • Two complete sets of plans showing scope of work, floor plan, wall detail, and any structural changes
  • Structural calculations required for any wood glu-lam beam, steel beam, or retaining wall over 4 feet in height
  • Energy code compliance documentation required where the addition affects conditioned floor area

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (same table as new construction)Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A — the same valuation-based schedule applies to additions/remodels as to new construction; there is no separate flat-rate remodel schedule
Per Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A valuation table — e.g., $105.34 for $3,001-$4,000 in project value, scaling to $6,161.34 plus $3.81/$1,000 over $1,000,000
Residential Plan Review FeeResolution No. 10374, Exhibit A
50% of the Building Permit Fee
Re-inspection FeeCity of Great Falls Homeowner's Permit Application forms (Updated 3/2026)
$67.63 per hour, minimum 1-hour charge

Review timeline

Plan reviewGreat Falls’s published plan-review target
5–10 business days

How long did your Residential Addition / Alteration / Remodel Permit permit actually take in Great Falls?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Framing / Structural

    After framing complete, before wall cover

  2. 2

    MEP Rough-In

    Electrical, plumbing, mechanical rough-in — separate trade permits required

  3. 3

    Final

    All work complete per approved plans

See the full Great Falls inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Great Falls uses the same Title 15 valuation-based fee table (Resolution 10374, Exhibit A) for additions and remodels as it does for new construction — there is no discounted flat-rate schedule for typical remodel scopes.
  • Basement finishes involving framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work require both a building permit and separate trade permits.
  • Every permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. A basement finish involving framing, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work requires a residential building permit (addition/alteration) plus separate trade permits as applicable, per OCCGF Title 15.

In Great Falls, the published Building Permit Fee — valuation-based (same table as new construction) is: Per Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A valuation table — e.g., $105.34 for $3,001-$4,000 in project value, scaling to $6,161.34 plus $3.81/$1,000 over $1,000,000. Additional published fees: Residential Plan Review Fee — 50% of the Building Permit Fee; Re-inspection Fee — $67.63 per hour, minimum 1-hour charge. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Great Falls's published plan-review target for a residential addition / alteration / remodel permit is 5–10 business days.

You'll need: Residential Building Permit Application; Residential Building Permit Checklist. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Great Falls requires 3 inspection(s) for a residential addition / alteration / remodel permit, in order: Framing / Structural, MEP Rough-In, Final. Schedule each through City of Great Falls Building Division (Planning & Community Development Department) ((406) 455-8430).

Apply through City of Great Falls Building Division (Planning & Community Development Department) at Civic Center, 2 Park Drive South, Room 112, P.O. Box 5021, Great Falls, MT 59403-5021. Phone: (406) 455-8430, email: permit@greatfallsmt.gov. Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Official information: https://greatfallsmt.gov/627/Building-Division.

Great Falls, Montana has adopted: 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted by the City of Great Falls September 9, 2022, effective per city adoption (state effective date June 11, 2022 under ARM Title 24, Chapter 301); city stopped accepting the prior 2018-cycle codes as of November 9, 2022; 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted September 9, 2022; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — adopted September 9, 2022; 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) — adopted September 9, 2022 (Montana uses the UPC, not the International Plumbing Code); 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — adopted September 9, 2022; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — adopted September 9, 2022; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted September 9, 2022 (Montana's statewide NEC edition is 2020, not 2021, per ARM Title 24, Chapter 301); 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — adopted September 9, 2022; 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) — adopted September 9, 2022; 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC) — part of the certified program scope ("W"); ICC A117.1-2017 Accessibility Code — statewide standard incorporated by reference; 2021 International Fire Code (IFC) — adopted separately by the City of Great Falls effective May 25, 2023 (amending OCCGF Title 15), administered by Great Falls Fire Rescue rather than the Building Division. Local amendments apply — see the Great Falls overview page for the full list.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-02.

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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Residential Addition / Alteration / Remodel Permit in other cities

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