Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel) in Whitefish, Montana
VerifiedRequired for new single-family and two-family residential construction, additions, remodels, and repairs within Whitefish city limits. Reviewed against the 2021 IRC and 2021 IECC as adopted by the City of Whitefish, plus the 2021 IWUIC (Fire Risk Assessment required for new construction and additions). Applications are submitted through the City's Citizen Portal or by email to buildingdept@cityofwhitefish.gov.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- 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
- Required
Residential Building Permit Application
City of Whitefish Planning & Building Department application (rev. 03-02-26), including project information, land information, existing/new building information, and applicant affidavit
- Required
Construction 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
- Optional
Plumbing Fixture Form (Fixture Information Request)
Required if there is any change in plumbing fixtures; captures fixture counts, service line length, and water pressure requirements
- Optional
Public Tree Impact Form
Required when excavation/construction is planned within 50 feet of a public tree; reviewed by Parks and Recreation
- Required
Energy Code Compliance (Prescriptive or REScheck)
Demonstrates 2021 IECC compliance for residential projects
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee | Based on a percentage of the estimated project cost (valuation-based); a deposit is required at time of permit submittal | City of Whitefish Building Permits / Inspections page, 'Fees' section — the City does not publish a standalone percentage-rate table separate from this statement; confirm exact valuation-fee amount with Planning & Building at (406) 863-2410 or via the Citizen Portal at submittal |
| Plan Review Fee (Residential) | $200.00 (deducted from building permit fees at issuance) | City of Whitefish Residential Building Permit Application (rev. 03-02-26), Required Documentation checklist |
| Erosion Control Fee | $100.00 (non-deductible) | City of Whitefish Residential Building Permit Application (rev. 03-02-26), Required Documentation checklist |
Review timeline
Not published
Whitefish does not publish a plan-review timeline — contact the building department for current turnaround.
Inspection process
- 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
Tips
- 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.
- The $200 residential (or $500 commercial) plan review fee is deducted from the total building permit fee once calculated; the $100 erosion control fee is separate and non-deductible.
- A Certificate of Occupancy and permanent water/sewer service are withheld until all City Code requirements are met (City Ordinance No. 03-23) — plan for this when scheduling final utility connection.
- Townhome projects require additional Party Wall / Common Wall drywall inspections per the Required Inspections List (two separate fire-rated walls, or one common wall with a two-hour rating, each with staged drywall/taping inspections).
- reviewTimelineDays is null (hard-unpublished): the City of Whitefish does not publish a plan-review turnaround for residential building permits on its Building Permits / Inspections page, Planning & Building page, Planning & Building FAQ, Current Fee Schedule PDF, or Citizen Portal. City Code 10-1-4 (Building Permits) and 10-1-1 (Adoption of Technical Codes) set no review-day period — the '30 days' in 10-1-1(C) is the City Manager's deadline to adopt state code amendments, not a permit-review clock. The Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's published 'on average three weeks' plan-review figure applies only to STATE-administered permits and explicitly excludes projects inside a certified local program; Whitefish is a fully DLI-certified jurisdiction that reviews its own plans, so the state figure does not govern here. No real governing figure was found after exhausting the city site, city code, and MT DLI. Contact Planning & Building at (406) 863-2410 for current review timelines.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a building permit to construct a structure on my property in Whitefish?
- Yes, if the proposed structure will be greater than 200 square feet in size — this includes both residential and commercial structures, as well as accessory structures such as sheds, decks, and porches. Contact the Building Department at (406) 863-2410 with questions. Source: City of Whitefish Planning & Building FAQ.
- How are building permit fees calculated in Whitefish?
- Building permit fees are based on a percentage of the estimated cost for the project, and a deposit is required at the time of permit submittal. Source: City of Whitefish Building Permits / Inspections page.
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Whitefish Planning & Building Department — official building department
- Building Permits / Inspections | City of Whitefish
- Residential Building Permit Application (PDF, rev. 03-02-26) | City of Whitefish
- Required Inspections List (PDF, rev. 09-01-25) | City of Whitefish
- Planning & Building FAQ | City of Whitefish
- City of Whitefish Citizen Portal
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.
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