Certificate of Occupancy / Change of Use / Final Routing in Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman requires a certificate of occupancy / change of use / final routing permit for: A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required for: New Commercial Construction, Change In Use, buildings with 5 or more dwelling units, and buildings that are 3 or more stories; Residential Single Family Homes, Townhomes, or Duplexes of 3 stories or less do NOT go through the CO/Occupancy process — instead request a standard final inspection via the Inspection Request Form; Occupancy/Final Routing must be requested a minimum of 4 weeks before intended occupancy, using the Final Routing / Occupancy Request Form; Step 1: All Final Building and Fire Inspections must be scheduled and approved via the Inspection Request Form before occupancy can be requested; Step 2: Submit the Final Routing / Occupancy Request Form; the request routes to applicable departments based on building type and scope, each of which conducts an onsite review; Certification letters are required from the project's architect, civil engineer, and landscape architect/design professional, confirming all work was inspected and completed to approved plans; emailed to planningtech@bozemanmt.gov referencing the planning project number, before the city's site inspections; A Water Backflow and Sprinkler Backflow test is required for any project needing a CO; Step 3 (if applicable): An Improvement Agreement (IA) can financially guarantee completion of incomplete minor site improvements (e.g., landscaping/hardscape); IA approval averages two weeks and must be recorded with the County Clerk and Recorder before occupancy sign-off; Any changes from the approved plan require a Modification Application, approved by the Planning Division prior to sign-off; Final Routing (a lighter process than a full CO) applies to building permits that don't require a CO but previously went through Planning/Zoning review (e.g., Site Plan, Subdivision, PDZ). If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Bozeman — Community Development, Building Division at (406) 582-2375 ext. 1 before starting work.

In Bozeman, the published Certificate of Occupancy / Final Routing Fee is: No distinct CO/Final Routing fee line item was found published separately from the underlying building permit fee. Additional published fees: Improvement Agreement (IA) processing — Not published. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

Bozeman's published plan-review target for a certificate of occupancy / change of use / final routing permit is 5–20 business days.

You'll need: Final Routing / Occupancy Request Form; Inspection Request Form; Certification Letters; Water Backflow and Sprinkler Backflow Test results. Depending on your project, Bozeman may also ask for: Improvement Agreement (IA); Modification Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

A CO is required for New Commercial Construction, a Change In Use, buildings with 5+ dwelling units, or buildings 3+ stories. Residential single-family homes, townhomes, or duplexes of 3 stories or less skip the CO process entirely and just request a standard final inspection via the Inspection Request Form.

Apply through City of Bozeman — Community Development, Building Division at 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, MT 59715 (Professional Building front counter); mailing/administration at 121 N Rouse Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715. Phone: (406) 582-2375 ext. 1, email: building@bozemanmt.gov. Office hours: Professional Building front counter (20 East Olive St.): Mon, Wed, Fri 9am-4pm; Tue, Thu 9am-1pm. Plans Examiner appointments (commercial or residential) bookable via Vagaro, 30-minute slots daily.. Official information: https://www.bozemanmt.gov/departments/community-development/building.

Bozeman, Montana has adopted: 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — State of Montana adopted code, ARM 24.301.154 (chapters 11-14 and 16-43 deleted by ARM amendment); Appendix Q (Tiny Houses) adopted; 2021 International Building Code (IBC) — State of Montana adopted code, ARM 24.301.146; 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) — ARM 24.301.172; 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) — ARM 24.301.173; 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) — ARM 24.301.161; Appendix RB (Solar Ready Provisions) adopted; 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) — ARM 24.301.401; 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC, IAPMO) — ARM 24.301.301; 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) — ARM 24.301.171 (commercial); 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code — ARM 24.301.175 (commercial); 2021 International Fire Code — ARM 23.12.601, Admin Order 2023-04; ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities — ARM Subchapter 24.301.9 (commercial); NOTE: Montana plans to adopt the 2024 ICC family of codes statewide in mid-2026; the City of Bozeman's Building Division states designs must comply with the code cycle in effect at time of permit application submission and will publish updates when the new cycle takes effect.. Local amendments apply — see the Bozeman overview page for the full list.

A minimum of 4 weeks before your intended occupancy date, per the City's Occupancy Process page. After all departments sign off, the Building Department allows itself an additional 5 business days to issue the Certificate of Occupancy.