Whitefish building permits

Requirements

• Building permit required for new residential construction, additions, remodels, and any structure greater than 200 square feet (including sheds, decks, porches)
• Plans must comply with 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 UPC, 2020 NEC, 2021 ISPSC, and 2021 IWUIC as adopted by the City of Whitefish; contact the Building Department for jurisdiction-specific design criteria including snow load
• Framing plans must indicate proper snow load, Seismic Zone D1, and 110 MPH wind design per the Residential Building Permit Application framing details checklist
• A Fire Risk Assessment according to the 2021 WUI (International Wildland-Urban Interface Code) is required for new construction and additions
• Truss design criteria (dead load and live load) from the truss manufacturer must be submitted prior to permit issuance
• Completed Plumbing Fixture Form (Fixture Information Request) required if there is any change in plumbing fixtures
• Public Tree Impact Form required if working within 50 feet of a public tree
• One (1) application must be completed per independent structure
• $100 non-deductible erosion control fee and $200 plan review fee (deducted from building permit fees) required with application
• Applications submitted electronically via the Citizen Portal (civicgov4.com/mt_whitefish/portal/) or by email to buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov

Required documents

• RequiredResidential Building Permit ApplicationCity of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application (rev. 03-02-26), including project information, land information, existing/new building information, and applicant affidavit
• RequiredConstruction Drawings (1/4-inch scale)Site plan, floor plan, exterior elevations, stair section, foundation plan, and framing details (floor and roof) per the application's detailed submittal checklist
• OptionalPlumbing Fixture Form (Fixture Information Request)Required if there is any change in plumbing fixtures; captures fixture counts, service line length, and water pressure requirements
• OptionalPublic Tree Impact FormRequired when excavation/construction is planned within 50 feet of a public tree; reviewed by Parks and Recreation
• RequiredEnergy Code Compliance (Prescriptive or REScheck)Demonstrates 2021 IECC compliance for residential projects

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building permit required for new commercial construction, commercial storage buildings/garages of any size, commercial sheds over 120 sq ft, additions, and remodels
• One (1) set of digital plans with a licensed architect's stamp required (detailed construction drawings at 1/4-inch scale)
• Plans must comply with 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IECC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 UPC, 2020 NEC, 2021 ISPSC, and 2021 IWUIC as adopted by the City of Whitefish
• Energy code compliance demonstrated via Prescriptive path or COMcheck
• Architectural Review Committee (ARC) approval required prior to building permit submittal for commercial/industrial/public buildings, triplex/fourplex/multi-family buildings, and two-unit townhouses
• Completed Plumbing Fixture Form required if there is any change in plumbing fixtures
• $500 plan review fee (deducted from building permit fees) required with application
• Applications submitted electronically via the Citizen Portal or by email to buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov

Required documents

• RequiredCommercial Building Permit ApplicationCity of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application (rev. 03-02-26), including project information and applicant affidavit
• RequiredArchitect-Stamped Construction Drawings (1/4-inch scale)Site plan, floor plan, exterior elevations, foundation plan, and framing details stamped by a licensed architect
• RequiredArchitectural Review Committee (ARC) Approval LetterRequired for commercial/industrial/public buildings and multi-family/townhouse projects prior to building permit submittal
• RequiredEnergy Code Compliance (COMcheck or Prescriptive)Demonstrates 2021 IECC compliance for commercial projects

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Trade Permit Application required for installation, alteration, or repair of any electrical system
• Governed by the 2020 NEC as adopted by the City of Whitefish
• Application requires contractor information including State of Montana license number (Journeyman or Master) and city business license number
• Project valuation (cost for materials and labor) must be provided
• Applicant must certify no work will commence prior to permit issuance
• Submitted via the Citizen Portal or by email to buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov

Required documents

• RequiredTrade Permit ApplicationCity of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application covering electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trade work; requires contractor license number, project address, and project valuation

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Trade Permit Application required for installation, alteration, or repair of any plumbing system, fixture, or water heater
• Governed by the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted by the City of Whitefish — not the International Plumbing Code
• Completed Plumbing Fixture Form (Fixture Information Request) required for any change in plumbing fixtures, capturing fixture counts, service line length, and water pressure
• Application requires Montana contractor license number (Journeyman or Master) and project valuation
• Projects adding plumbing fixtures are subject to separate water/wastewater impact fees calculated by the Public Works Department
• Submitted via the Citizen Portal or by email to buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov

Required documents

• RequiredTrade Permit ApplicationCity of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application covering plumbing, electrical, and mechanical trade work
• RequiredPlumbing Fixture Form (Fixture Information Request)Required for any change in plumbing fixtures; used by Public Works to size water service and meter

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Trade Permit Application required for installation or relocation of furnaces, boilers, compressors, air handling units, ventilation systems, and appliance vents
• Governed by the 2021 IMC and 2021 IFGC as adopted by the City of Whitefish
• Application requires Montana contractor license number and project valuation
• Submitted via the Citizen Portal or by email to buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov

Required documents

• RequiredTrade Permit ApplicationCity of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application covering mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trade work

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Building permit required for roofing 'if sheeting is being replaced' — explicitly listed among activities requiring a permit on the Building Permits / Inspections page
• Plans/scope must comply with the 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC as adopted by the City of Whitefish
• Applications submitted via the Residential or Commercial Building Permit Application depending on structure type, or via the Trade Permit Application where applicable
• Project valuation (roofing material and labor cost) must be provided

Required documents

• RequiredResidential or Commercial Building Permit ApplicationCity of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application; used for re-roofing projects where sheathing is being replaced

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Electrical connection requires a Trade Permit Application (electrical) issued by the City of Whitefish under the 2020 NEC, since Whitefish is DLI-certified for electrical (E) permitting
• Structural/roof-mounting or ground-mounting component requires a Residential or Commercial Building Permit Application, since mounting-system structural review falls under the City's standard building-permit process
• Framing/structural documentation must address snow load, Seismic Zone D1, and 110 MPH wind design consistent with the City's standard structural design criteria referenced on the Residential Building Permit Application
• Project valuation (system and installation cost) must be provided on both applications

Required documents

• RequiredTrade Permit Application (Electrical)City of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application for the PV system's electrical interconnection
• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Residential or Commercial)Required for the structural/mounting component of the solar installation

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Demolition or moving of a structure is processed via the standard Building Permit Application (no separate demolition-specific application form is published by the City)
• Replacement of a residential structure with a new residential structure at the same site (with less than 500 sq ft increase and no meter-size change) requires the City be given a reasonable notification period to schedule an inspection of the original structure prior to demolition, to confirm square footage and meter size
• Replacement of a nonresidential structure with a new nonresidential structure of the same size and use likewise requires advance notice for a pre-demolition inspection
• Demolition or moving of a structure is exempted from City impact fees under Code Section 10-2-3(A)(3), regardless of the impact-fee treatment of any subsequent replacement construction
• Owner must obtain utility disconnection verification before demolition work begins (standard practice referenced across Montana municipal demolition permitting; confirm specific utility-disconnect procedure with Whitefish Public Works at (406) 863-2460)

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Residential or Commercial)City of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application, used for demolition/moving of a structure since no separate demolition-specific form is published

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Fence Permit required prior to constructing a fence; fee is $5.00
• Fences at or under 6 feet 6 inches along rear and side yards, and at or under 48 inches within the required front yard setback, use the Fence Permit application
• Corner lots must meet Clear Vision Triangle requirements under City Code S11-3-8, WCC
• If the property line where the fence is located has been surveyed, a copy of the survey with clearly marked property pins should be attached
• Site plan showing the property, structures, and location of the proposed fence must be drawn on the application
• Retaining walls over 4 feet high, or subject to a surcharge load, require a building permit (not the Fence Permit) per the Building Permits / Inspections page's list of activities requiring a permit
• No fence, hedge, or freestanding wall (not supporting a building) within or bounding the front yard shall exceed 48 inches; no fence or wall within or bounding a rear/side yard from the point of the front setback line shall exceed 6.5 feet, per City Code fence height standards printed on the Fence Permit application
• Security fences enclosing commercial/industrial storage yards are allowed up to 8 feet in side/rear yards; barbed wire fences are allowed only in the WA, WCR, and WSR zones (or abutting them)

Required documents

• RequiredFence Permit ApplicationCity of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application (rev. 04-01-2026); includes fence-height/setback compliance questions and a site-plan drawing area
• OptionalBuilding Permit Application (Residential or Commercial)Required in place of the Fence Permit for retaining walls over 4 feet high or subject to surcharge load

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Trade Permit Application (electrical) required for the charger circuit, wiring, and interconnection, governed by the 2020 NEC as adopted by the City of Whitefish, since Whitefish is DLI-certified for electrical (E) permitting
• Building Permit Application (Residential or Commercial) additionally required if the installation includes a new canopy, carport, or other structural mounting component, per the City's standard building-permit process
• Application requires contractor information including State of Montana license number (Journeyman or Master) and city business license number, or homeowner self-install information where applicable
• Project valuation (cost for materials and labor) must be provided
• Applicant must certify no work will commence prior to permit issuance
• Submitted via the Citizen Portal (civicgov4.com/mt_whitefish/portal/) or by email to buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov

Required documents

• RequiredTrade Permit Application (Electrical)City of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application covering electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trade work; used for the EV charger circuit/interconnection
• OptionalBuilding Permit Application (Residential or Commercial)Only required if the installation includes a new canopy, carport, or structural mounting component

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Sign Permit Application required prior to erecting any sign; self-estimated fee must be attached at submittal per the current fee schedule
• Applicant must identify the parcel's Sign District (Highway, Old Town, Community Business/Resort, Business Service, or Residential), each with its own standards for number of signs, allowable area, height, and spacing per Appendix G of the Sign Permit Application
• All free-standing and ground-mounted signs must have a landscaped area around the sign base containing living landscape materials (shrubs and/or perennial ground cover)
• Multiple Businesses on a Single Development Site: a master sign plan is required for all multi-use buildings and commercial developments with more than one tenant and/or building; the property owner must submit a letter stating allowable square footage per tenant; the master sign plan must be approved prior to issuance of a building permit for any new buildings, additions, or renovations, and is assigned to the site address (it does not move with individual tenants)
• An aerial site plan showing property dimensions, building location, driveways, and the proposed sign location(s), plus a scaled drawing of each sign showing height, size, dimensions, materials, colors, structural supports, landscaping, lighting, electrical components, and total square footage per sign face, must be submitted
• The permit becomes null and void if the sign(s) authorized are not installed within 180 days from the permit's date of issuance
• The permit is for the sign only; any structural, foundation, or electrical work requires a separate permit (e.g., electrical trade permit for illuminated signs)
• A Temporary Sign Permit Application (separate, lower-cost form) governs temporary signage; a separate Campaign Sign Information sheet governs political campaign signs

Required documents

• RequiredSign Permit ApplicationCity of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application (rev. 03-24-2023), including project information, sign district identification, application contents checklist, owner/applicant/contractor information, description-of-project table (by sign type and dimensions), fee schedule, and Appendix G Sign Standards Table by district
• RequiredAerial Site PlanShows property dimensions, building location, driveways, and proposed sign location(s) on site and/or building, plus any existing signs remaining
• RequiredScaled Sign DrawingShows height, size, dimensions, materials, colors, structural supports, landscaping, lighting, and electrical components, and total square footage for each sign face
• OptionalMaster Sign Plan / Property Owner LetterRequired for multi-use buildings and commercial developments with more than one tenant and/or building; states allowable square footage per tenant; must be approved prior to building permit issuance for new buildings, additions, or renovations
• OptionalTemporary Sign Permit ApplicationSeparate application used for temporary signage instead of the standard Sign Permit Application

Fee schedule

Requirements

• No separate Fire Sprinkler or Fire Alarm Permit application exists; fire suppression/alarm system installation is submitted as part of the Residential or (more commonly, for commercial fire suppression) Commercial Building Permit Application
• Reviewed for compliance with the International Fire Code (current edition, as amended by the Montana DOJ Fire Prevention and Investigation Bureau under the Administrative Rules of Montana) as adopted by reference in City Code 9-1-1, and enforced by the Chief of the Whitefish Fire Department
• A Fire Prevention Program Fee equal to 29% of the building permit fee is collected by the Building Department at the same time as the building permit fee, per City Code 10-1-5, to partially offset Whitefish Fire Department development-related costs
• Fire-specific inspections required before Final Fire and Final Building Inspection: Underslab Flush Test (Bag Test), Sprinkler Visual, Dry System Air Test, Hydrostatic Test, Alarm & Flow Test, Emergency/Exit Light Test, and Hood Test, per the City's Required Inspections List
• Separately from system installation, all fire AND security alarm systems must be registered with the City under City Code 9-1-4 (Alarm Systems), administered by the Fire Department; alarm system companies must also register and be licensed by the City before installing or maintaining an alarm system
• A one-time $25.00 fee applies to each new (fire or security) alarm system installed in the City, per City Code 9-1-4 and the City's Alarm Registration page
• Fire Code permits generally (City Code 9-1-1(E)) expire December 31 of each year and must be renewed annually; applications/renewals are due by January 31 or at least 10 days before the permit is required

Required documents

• RequiredBuilding Permit Application (Residential or Commercial)City of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application; used for fire suppression/alarm system installation since no separate fire-system-specific application is published

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Required prior to a change in use when a building permit or conditional use permit is NOT otherwise required (City Code 11-7-9(B)); if a building permit or CUP IS required for the project, review of the use change happens through that permit instead
• A use is considered 'changed' when converted from one type of use to another with different development standards or parking requirements — e.g., retail to restaurant or office, commercial to residential, or residential to residential short-term rental (City Code 11-7-9(B); Change of Use Zoning Compliance Permit Application instructions)
• Zoning compliance permit is also required when the new use requires more off-street parking than the previous use
• A mandatory pre-application meeting with a City planner must be scheduled and completed before the application is submitted (City Code 11-7-9(C))
• Application must include a site plan at engineering scale (1 inch = 10 feet or 1 inch = 20 feet) showing property boundaries/bearings, all existing and proposed improvements, required off-street parking (spaces, surface treatment, loading zones, landscaping), and access/driveway/easement locations
• For commercial uses, a floor plan showing gross floor area for parking calculations must be included
• Once the application is deemed complete, the zoning administrator has twenty (20) business days to respond with approval, approval with conditions, or denial (City Code 11-7-9(E))
• An approved zoning compliance permit is valid for twelve (12) months and expires if the new use is not established, ongoing, and in operation; one 1-year extension may be granted upon written request showing continued good-faith effort (City Code 11-7-9(I))
• If a change of use is undertaken without first obtaining this permit, the use must be abandoned unless an after-the-fact zoning compliance permit is obtained; a review fee applies to the after-the-fact permit, set by resolution of the Whitefish City Council (City Code 11-7-9(B), (H))
• Zoning administrator decisions under this section may be appealed to the Board (Board of Adjustment) per City Code 11-7-6

Required documents

• RequiredChange of Use Zoning Compliance Permit ApplicationCity of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application (rev. 12-20-2023); includes project information, a description-of-change-of-use section, an After-the-Fact Permit yes/no checkbox, and owner/applicant information
• RequiredSite Plan (engineering scale)Shows property boundaries/dimensions, existing and proposed improvements, required off-street parking (spaces, surface treatment, loading zones, landscaping), and street/driveway/easement locations, per City Code 11-7-9(D)
• OptionalCommercial Floor Plan (for commercial uses)Interior floor plan showing gross floor area used for parking-requirement calculations

Fee schedule