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Columbia Falls building inspections

Verified

Inspection sequence, scheduling, and re-inspection fees for building permits in Columbia Falls, Montana.

Verified 2026-07-03 · Source

How to schedule

Inspections are requested through the building department below.

Address
130 6th St West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Phone
(406) 892-4391
Email
sobczakc@cityofcolumbiafalls.com
Office hours
City Hall, 130 6th St West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Building/Planning/Public Works Clerk: Caleb Sobczak, (406) 892-4432, sobczakc@cityofcolumbiafalls.com. All building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permit applications begin at City Hall by contacting the Building Clerk; actual building inspections are scheduled directly with the City of Whitefish Building Department, (406) 863-2410, buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov, under a contractual inspection-services agreement between the two cities. Source: City of Columbia Falls Building Inspection & Code Enforcement page, cityofcolumbiafalls.org/1204/Building-Inspection-Code-Enforcement
Website
Official site

Published scheduling rules

  • All building inspections must be scheduled directly with the City of Whitefish Building Department at (406) 863-2410 or buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov, with a minimum of 24 hours' notice and the project address on hand — Columbia Falls does not perform its own inspections in-house despite being the certified/permitting jurisdiction. (Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel / Repair))
  • Inspections are scheduled directly with the City of Whitefish Building Department, (406) 863-2410, with 24 hours' minimum notice. (Residential Addition / Remodel / Repair Permit)

Inspection sequence

Applies to: Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel / Repair)

  1. 1

    Sonotubes/Piers/Columns

    String line or letter of survey required before pour

  2. 2

    Footings

    String line or letter of survey required before concrete pour

  3. 3

    Walls

    Foundation wall inspection

  4. 4

    Foundation Waterproofing / Underslab Heating / Underslab Plumbing

    Before backfill and slab pour

  5. 5

    Concrete Slab

    Slab inspection prior to pour completion

  6. 6

    Shear Wall Nailing

    Prior to covering shear panels

  7. 7

    Rough Framing

    Framing complete, prior to insulation/drywall

  8. 8

    Rough Electrical / Rough Mechanical / Rough Plumbing

    Trade rough-ins prior to insulation/drywall

  9. 9

    Insulation

    Insulation values verified against plan (exterior walls, foundation, crawl space, roof/ceiling)

  10. 10

    Drywall Nailing

    Prior to taping/finishing; townhome/duplex common-wall assemblies require additional fire-rated drywall inspections per the Required Inspections List

  11. 11

    Final Mechanical (meter tag) / Final Fire (fire suppression & alarm tests) / Final Electrical (commercial only) / Final Building Inspection

    Final inspections prior to occupancy

Applies to: Plumbing Permit

  1. 1

    Underslab Plumbing

    Before concrete pour — verify pipe slope, materials, and cleanouts; scheduled with the City of Whitefish Building Department

  2. 2

    Rough Plumbing

    After pipes installed, before walls closed

  3. 3

    Final Building Inspection

    All fixtures connected, no leaks, verified at final

Applies to: Residential Addition / Remodel / Repair Permit

  1. 1

    Footing/Foundation

    Required before concrete pour for addition footings, scheduled with the City of Whitefish Building Department

  2. 2

    Rough Framing / Rough Electrical / Rough Mechanical / Rough Plumbing

    Structural framing and trade rough-ins, connections to existing structure

  3. 3

    Final Building Inspection

    All work complete per approved plans

Applies to: Electrical Permit

  1. 1

    Rough Electrical

    Wiring, box placement, and service connections before walls are closed; scheduled with the City of Whitefish Building Department, minimum 24 hours' notice

  2. 2

    Final Electrical (commercial only per the Required Inspections List)

    Devices installed, panel labeled, protections verified per 2020 NEC

Applies to: Mechanical / HVAC Permit

  1. 1

    Rough Mechanical

    Ductwork and mechanical equipment rough-in before walls closed; scheduled with the City of Whitefish Building Department

  2. 2

    Final Mechanical (meter tag)

    Equipment operational, verified at final per the Required Inspections List

Applies to: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

  1. 1

    Rough Electrical

    Conduit runs, wire sizing, and disconnect placement before energizing; scheduled with the City of Whitefish Building Department

  2. 2

    Final Building Inspection

    Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing, electrical connections, and inverter verified

Final inspection only: Change of Use / Certificate of Occupancy, Demolition Permit, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger / EVSE Permit, Fence and Retaining Wall Permit, Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Permit, Re-Roofing Permit, Sign Permit

Columbia Falls building permits

Columbia Falls building permitsResidential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel / Repair)Plumbing PermitResidential Addition / Remodel / Repair PermitElectrical PermitMechanical / HVAC PermitSolar Photovoltaic (PV) PermitChange of Use / Certificate of OccupancyDemolition PermitElectric Vehicle (EV) Charger / EVSE PermitFence and Retaining Wall PermitFire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System PermitRe-Roofing PermitSign Permit

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