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Sign Permit in Great Falls, Montana

Required for installation, replacement, or reface of wall signs, freestanding/monument signs, and billboards in Great Falls, governed by Title 17 (Land Development Code), Chapter 60 (Sign Code). One combined Sign Permit Application covers all three sign categories, each with its own submittal requirements. Fees are set by City Commission Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A (Sign Fees), and cross-verified against the City's standalone Sign Permit Fees schedule (Effective 11/17/2020) -- both documents show identical figures.

Verified 2026-07-22 · Source

When you need this permit

  • A complete Sign Permit Application (Form Updated 12/2023) covering the applicable sign category: Wall Signs, Freestanding/Monument, or Billboard
  • Wall Signs: a scaled site plan with north arrow showing sign locations, plus a detailed sketch with dimensions in linear feet, distance from roofline, attachment method, substrate, and any electrical information; building wall dimensions on all four sides are needed to establish total allowable signage area (not required for refaces)
  • Freestanding/Monument Signs: a detailed scaled site plan with north arrow, street names, boulevard widths, property lines, existing utilities, existing signage, and setback distances; a detailed sketch with dimensions, height, footings, and electrical information; a footings plan showing the system of support and attachment; engineering design plans are required for all new freestanding signs
  • Billboards: the same site plan, sketch, and footings plan requirements as freestanding signs, plus engineering design plans for all new billboards and a completed Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) permit application for all new billboards
  • Projects that include electrical work require a separate Electrical Permit, which must be inspected before sign placement and installation
  • The applicant must remain in compliance with Title 17, Chapter 60 (Sign Code) at all times after permit issuance; the property owner is responsible for maintenance of all property signage
  • A written letter of authorization from the property owner is required if the applicant is not the owner
  • Applications deemed abandoned after 180 days will be billed for the plan review fee

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Sign Permit Fee -- 0 to 24 sq ftResolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees (Title 17, Chapter 60); cross-verified against the standalone 'Sign Permit Fees Effective 11.17.20' document -- identical figures in both
$38.78
Sign Permit Fee -- 25 sq ft or moreResolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees
$38.78 plus $1.62 per sq ft
Reface Sign Permit/Inspection (existing permitted sign)Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees
$65.90 flat fee
Sign Electrical Inspection FeeResolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees -- applies when a sign includes electrical work
$38.78
Sign Electrician/Journeyman Certificate (annual)Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees -- licensing fee for individuals performing sign electrical work, not a per-project permit fee
$15.00
Sign Electrician Certificate -- Class A LicenseResolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees
$150.00
Bench Signs/Transit Shelter (annual)Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees -- separate permit category from standard wall/freestanding/billboard signs; uses its own Bench Sign Permit Application
$77.55
A-Type Sandwich Board Signs (annual)Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees
$64.62
On-Premise Temporary Sign -- 60-day permit / Annual permitResolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees
$32.31 (60-day) or $129.24 (annual)
Investigation Fee (work commenced before permit issuance)Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A, Sign Fees
Equal to the permit fee

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Sign 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

    Sign Electrical Inspection

    Required only if the sign includes electrical work outside the cabinet; performed under a separate Electrical Permit before sign placement

  2. 2

    Final Sign Inspection

    Verifies sign structure, placement, and (for freestanding signs/billboards) footings match the approved plans

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

Tips

  • Freestanding/monument signs and billboards require an engineered footings plan and engineering design plans -- wall signs generally do not.
  • Billboards additionally require a completed Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) permit application submitted alongside the City application.
  • Electrical work outside the sign cabinet needs its own Electrical Permit, inspected before the sign is placed or installed.
  • The same City fee schedule also covers Bench Signs/Transit Shelters, A-Type Sandwich Board Signs, and On-Premise Temporary Signs/Banners -- each is its own permit category with its own fee, separate from the standard wall/freestanding/billboard Sign Permit.

Frequently asked questions

Great Falls requires a sign permit for: A complete Sign Permit Application (Form Updated 12/2023) covering the applicable sign category: Wall Signs, Freestanding/Monument, or Billboard; Wall Signs: a scaled site plan with north arrow showing sign locations, plus a detailed sketch with dimensions in linear feet, distance from roofline, attachment method, substrate, and any electrical information; building wall dimensions on all four sides are needed to establish total allowable signage area (not required for refaces); Freestanding/Monument Signs: a detailed scaled site plan with north arrow, street names, boulevard widths, property lines, existing utilities, existing signage, and setback distances; a detailed sketch with dimensions, height, footings, and electrical information; a footings plan showing the system of support and attachment; engineering design plans are required for all new freestanding signs; Billboards: the same site plan, sketch, and footings plan requirements as freestanding signs, plus engineering design plans for all new billboards and a completed Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) permit application for all new billboards; Projects that include electrical work require a separate Electrical Permit, which must be inspected before sign placement and installation; The applicant must remain in compliance with Title 17, Chapter 60 (Sign Code) at all times after permit issuance; the property owner is responsible for maintenance of all property signage; A written letter of authorization from the property owner is required if the applicant is not the owner; Applications deemed abandoned after 180 days will be billed for the plan review fee. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Great Falls Building Division (Planning & Community Development Department) at (406) 455-8430 before starting work.

$38.78 for signs up to 24 sq ft; for signs 25 sq ft or larger, $38.78 plus $1.62 per sq ft, per Resolution No. 10374, Exhibit A (Sign Fees). A flat $65.90 fee applies to reface permits on an existing permitted sign, and a separate $38.78 Sign Electrical Inspection Fee applies if the sign includes electrical work.

Great Falls does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Great Falls Building Division (Planning & Community Development Department) at (406) 455-8430 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Sign Permit Application; Site Plan and Detailed Sketch. Depending on your project, Great Falls may also ask for: Footings Plan and Engineering Design Plans; State of Montana MDT Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Great Falls requires 2 inspection(s) for a sign permit, in order: Sign Electrical Inspection, Final Sign Inspection. 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.

Yes. Engineering design plans and a footings plan are required for all new freestanding/monument signs and all new billboards, per the City's Sign Permit Application requirements. Wall signs do not require engineering plans.

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-22.

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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