Whitefish building inspections

Verified

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

Verified 2026-07-03 · Source

How to schedule

Inspections are requested through the building department below.

Address: 418 E 2nd Street, PO Box 158, Whitefish, MT 59937
Phone: (406) 863-2410
Email: buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov
Office hours: Planning & Building Department, 418 E 2nd Street, Whitefish, MT 59937 (inspection requests: (406) 863-2414 or buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov, minimum 24 hours notice required)
Website: Official site

Published scheduling rules

A minimum of 24 hours notice is required to schedule any inspection — call (406) 863-2414 or email buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov with the project address. (Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel))
A minimum of 24 hours notice is required to schedule any inspection. (Commercial Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel))
A minimum of 24 hours notice is required to schedule the Rough Electrical or Final Electrical inspection. (Electrical Permit (Trade Permit))
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 (Demolition / Moving Permit)
A minimum of 24 hours notice is required for all inspection scheduling — call (406) 863-2414 or email buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov with the project address. (General)

Inspection sequence

Applies to: Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Review (via Building Permit)

1
Underslab Flush Test (Bag Test)
Underslab fire suppression piping flush-tested before slab pour, per the Required Inspections List
2
Sprinkler Visual
Visual inspection of installed sprinkler system components
3
Dry System Air Test
Air pressure test for dry-pipe sprinkler systems
4
Hydrostatic Test
Hydrostatic pressure test of the fire suppression piping system
5
Alarm & Flow Test
Fire alarm and water-flow switch testing
6
Emergency / Exit Light Test
Emergency lighting and exit signage verified operational
7
Hood Test
Kitchen hood fire suppression system test, where applicable
8
Final Fire
Issued after all necessary fire tests above are completed, per the Required Inspections List; a prerequisite to Final Building Inspection

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

1
Footings / Sonotubes / Piers / Columns
Before concrete pour — string line or letter of survey required per the City's Required Inspections List
2
Walls / Foundation Waterproofing
Foundation walls and waterproofing verified before backfill
3
Underslab Plumbing / Underslab Heating / Concrete Slab
Before slab pour — underslab plumbing and heating verified
4
Rough Framing / Shear Wall Nailing
Framing and shear wall nailing verified before insulation and drywall
5
Rough Electrical / Rough Mechanical / Rough Plumbing
Trade rough-ins verified before walls closed
6
Insulation / Drywall Nailing
Insulation and drywall nailing verified per plans
7
Final Building Inspection
All prior inspections must have passed; includes Final Electrical (over 400 amp or commercial), Final Mechanical (meter tag), Final Water (pre-final service line/meter), Final Planning, and Final Public Works as applicable

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

1
Footings / Foundation
String line or letter of survey required before concrete pour
2
Rough Framing / Rough Electrical / Rough Mechanical / Rough Plumbing
Trade rough-ins verified before walls closed
3
Fire Inspections
Underslab flush test (bag test), sprinkler visual, dry system air test, hydrostatic test, alarm and flow test, emergency/exit light test, hood test — as applicable to commercial fire protection systems
4
Final Building Inspection
All prior inspections must have passed, including Final Electrical (over 400 amp or commercial), Final Fire (after all necessary fire tests are completed), Final Planning, and Final Public Works

Applies to: Plumbing Permit (Trade Permit)

1
Underslab Plumbing
Before concrete slab pour — verify pipe slope, materials, and cleanouts
2
Rough Plumbing
After pipes installed, before walls closed
3
Final Water (Pre-Final)
Requires service line/meter per the City's Required Inspections List; precedes Final Building Inspection

Applies to: Electrical Permit (Trade Permit)

1
Rough Electrical
Wiring, box placement, and service connections verified before walls are closed
2
Final Electrical
Required for services over 400 amp or any commercial electrical work, per the City's Required Inspections List

Applies to: EV Charger Installation Permit (Trade Permit)

1
Rough Electrical
Wiring, box placement, and circuit/disconnect verified before walls are closed, where applicable
2
Final Electrical
Charger installed, connections verified; Final Electrical applies to services over 400 amp or any commercial installation per the Required Inspections List

Applies to: Mechanical / HVAC Permit (Trade Permit)

1
Rough Mechanical
Ductwork and mechanical equipment rough-in verified before walls closed
2
Final Mechanical
Meter tag verification per the City's Required Inspections List

Applies to: Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit

1
Rough Electrical
Conduit runs, wire sizing, and disconnect placement verified before energizing
2
Final Electrical
Panel mounting, racking attachment, roof penetration sealing, electrical connections, inverter, and interconnection point verified; Final Electrical applies to systems over 400 amp or any commercial installation per the Required Inspections List

Final inspection only: Demolition / Moving Permit, Fence and Retaining Wall Permit, Re-Roofing Permit

Sources & verification

Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.

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 Whitefish building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Whitefish building permits

Whitefish building permits Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm System Review (via Building Permit)Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel)Commercial Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel)Plumbing Permit (Trade Permit)Electrical Permit (Trade Permit)EV Charger Installation Permit (Trade Permit)Mechanical / HVAC Permit (Trade Permit)Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit Demolition / Moving Permit Fence and Retaining Wall Permit Re-Roofing Permit

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