Manhattan building permits
VerifiedDepartment contacts, adopted codes, permit types, fees, and gotchas for Manhattan, Montana.
Last verified 2026-07-03 · Source · Embed this page’s badge · Version history
Building department
- Address
- 207 South Sixth Street (P.O. Box 96), Manhattan, MT 59741
- Phone
- (406) 284-3235
- Office hours
- Town Office, 207 S. 6th St., Manhattan, MT 59741, Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Town Office/Zoning: 406-284-3235; Building Official Brandon Yung: 406-595-9300, byung.town@gmail.com)
- Website
- Official site
Inspection guide
See how inspections work in Manhattan — sequence, scheduling & re-inspection fees.
Codes adopted
Montana adopts a single statewide building code by rule and, by default, enforces it directly — local governments only gain enforcement authority once the state certifies them. Under the Montana Building Codes Act (Mont. Code Ann. Title 50, Chapter 60), the Department of Labor & Industry's Building Codes Bureau adopts one state building code applicable everywhere (§ 50-60-203, codified further at Administrative Rules of Montana Title 24, Chapter 301) — currently the 2021 editions of the IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, ISPSC, and UPC, with the 2020 NEC for electrical (effective statewide since 6/11/2022 per the Bureau's own Current Codes page). A city, county, or town may adopt and enforce its own building-code program under § 50-60-301, but its adopted code "may include only codes adopted by the Building Codes Bureau" — a local edition can never diverge from or be less stringent than the state's. Critically, under § 50-60-302, a local government cannot enforce ANY building code — even one it has formally adopted — until the Bureau certifies its program (requiring an approved code, a published fee schedule, an enforcement plan, and properly licensed or nationally certified inspectors); certification is granted per TRADE, not as one blanket designation. The Bureau's own "Certified City, County and Town Programs" list uses the key B=Building, P=Plumbing, E=Electrical, M=Mechanical, SP=Pool, W=Wildland-Urban-Interface — a jurisdiction can be certified for Building only while Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical remain directly state-enforced within the same city limits (e.g., Havre, Anaconda-Deer Lodge), or certified across all trades (e.g., Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena, Kalispell). Non-certified jurisdictions — most of Montana's unincorporated county land, since very few counties appear on the certified list — fall under direct enforcement by the state Building Codes Bureau (§ 50-60-304). Montana also exempts private homes and buildings of four or fewer dwelling units not serving transient guests from the state building-permit requirement entirely, though electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits remain separately required regardless. Always confirm with the specific jurisdiction which trades it is certified for versus which remain directly state-enforced.
- Montana has a mandatory statewide building code administered by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Building Codes Bureau, amended by the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) Title 24, Chapter 301. Cities, counties, and towns may become 'certified' to locally administer permitting and inspection for all or part of the code (building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, swimming pool, etc.); non-certified areas/trades fall under direct state administration by the DLI Building Codes Bureau. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Certified City, County and Town Programs list (bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdf) and Current Codes page (bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/current-codes).
- Manhattan is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Building (B), Mechanical (M), Plumbing (P), Electrical (E), AND Swimming Pool (SP) within Manhattan town limits — full certification across all five trade categories, matching Billings and Belgrade. Certified building official on file with DLI: Brandon Yung. Verified directly against the DLI's official 'Certified City, County and Town Programs' roster (PDF, updated 2026-04-22): the Manhattan row reads 'Manhattan | B, M, P, E, SP | Brandon Yung | | City Limits'. Source: https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdf
- Manhattan Town Code section 12-1-1 (Adoption Of The Model Technical Codes And Administrative Rules): 'The current editions of the model uniform technical codes, to include, but not be limited to, building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical, and all accompanying appendices, amendments and modifications adopted or required to be adopted by the building codes bureau, Montana department of labor and industry (or its successor) as set out in the administrative rules of Montana, as amended from time to time by the building codes bureau, are adopted by reference.' This incorporates the same statewide code editions used by other DLI-certified Montana jurisdictions (2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 UPC, 2021 IECC, 2021 ISPSC, 2020 NEC, ICC A117.1-2017), automatically updated as the Building Codes Bureau amends ARM Title 24, Chapter 301 (effective 60 days after a signed mayoral administrative order per 12-1-1.C). Source: Manhattan Town Code 12-1-1, https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/manhattanmt/latest/manhattan_mt/0-0-0-6397 (Ord. 287, 2-10-2004; amd. Ord. 299, 11-9-2004; Ord. 06-007, 6-13-2006; Ord. 24-005, 5-9-2024)
- Manhattan Town Code section 12-1-2.C: 'Plans shall be reviewed and inspections made in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Bozeman city building code enforcement division.' This is a notable local arrangement — Manhattan's own Building Official (Brandon Yung) issues permits locally under Manhattan's DLI certification, but plan review and inspection procedure follows the City of Bozeman Building Division's rules and procedures. Source: Manhattan Town Code 12-1-2, https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/manhattanmt/latest/manhattan_mt/0-0-0-6411 (Ord. 297, 8-9-2004; amd. Ord. 24-005, 5-9-2024)
- Manhattan Town Code Title 12, Chapter 1 (Building Codes) is available at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/manhattanmt/latest/manhattan_mt/0-0-0-6392; Manhattan Town Code Title 10, Chapter 2 (Administration and Enforcement / Zoning Permit) at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/manhattanmt/latest/manhattan_mt/0-0-0-3289
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction, Addition, Remodel)
Required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, or demolition of any building or enclosed structure greater than 200 square feet within Manhattan town limits. The application bundles the building permit with plumbing, electrical, and zoning permits. Reviewed against the state-adopted model technical codes (Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau editions) per Manhattan Town Code 12-1-1, with plan review and inspections conducted per the rules and procedures of the City of Bozeman Building Code Enforcement Division per Manhattan Town Code 12-1-2.C.
Electrical Permit
Required for electrical installation, alteration, or repair work in Manhattan, governed by the 2020 NEC as adopted via the state model technical codes. Manhattan is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for electrical permitting, bundled into the same combined application as the building permit.
Plumbing Permit
Required for plumbing installation, alteration, or repair work in Manhattan, governed by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted via the state model technical codes. Manhattan is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for plumbing permitting, bundled into the same combined application as the building permit.
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
Required for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and gas piping installations in Manhattan, governed by the Uniform Mechanical/Fuel Gas Code provisions adopted via the state model technical codes. Manhattan is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for mechanical permitting, bundled into the same combined application as the building permit.
Fence Permit
Required for fence installation in Manhattan (fences over 6 feet always require a building permit; fences under 6 feet still require a dedicated Fence Permit and site inspections under Town rules, distinct from the standard Building Permit). Includes zoning-driven height and setback restrictions.
Demolition Permit
Required for demolition of a building or portion of a structure, or any changes affecting a building/structure's exterior appearance, within Manhattan town limits, per the Town's building permit framework.
Solar PV Permit
Required for installation of rooftop or ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems within Manhattan town limits. Manhattan holds full Montana DLI certification across Building (B), Mechanical (M), Plumbing (P), Electrical (E), and Swimming Pool (SP), so both the structural/racking scope and the electrical interconnection scope of a PV installation are permitted locally by the Town (not routed to the state), bundled into the same combined Building/Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing Permit Application used for all other construction. No dedicated Solar/Photovoltaic line item or checklist is published separately from this general application.
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
Required for installation of a Level 1/Level 2 EV charging circuit within Manhattan town limits. Because Manhattan is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Electrical (E) permitting, the EV charger circuit is permitted locally by the Town rather than routed to the state, using the same combined Building/Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing Permit Application used for all other electrical work. No dedicated EV-charger/EVSE line item, checkbox, or fee schedule is published separately from this general application.
Sign Permit
Required for installation of permanent signage within Manhattan town limits, per Manhattan Town Code 10-15-4. Temporary signs are exempt from the permit requirement but are restricted in timing and mounting. Applications are submitted on the Town's dedicated Sign Permit Application form (separate from the combined Building/Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing Permit Application used for most other permit types in this file), which requires site plan review and sign design documentation.
Fire Suppression (Sprinkler) System Permit
Required as a separate permit, in addition to the base building permit, for installation of a fire suppression (sprinkler/standpipe) system in Manhattan. The Town's own building-permit guide states plainly that 'Separate permits are required for mechanical and fire suppression systems' beyond the base building permit. Manhattan's Montana DLI certification (Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, and Swimming Pool) does not include a distinct 'Fire' trade category — fire-protection-system provisions (NFPA 13/13R/14, referenced via IBC Chapter 9) are administered under the Town's Building (B) certification per state rule, so this permit is issued through the Town Building Department alongside — not instead of — the base building permit. No standalone fire-alarm-specific permit language was found; the Town's published guidance addresses fire suppression/sprinkler systems specifically, not fire alarm systems as a separate documented category.
Certificate of Occupancy
Required before occupancy of any residential or commercial building or structure in Manhattan following construction, addition, remodel, or other building-permitted work. Issued by the Building Department after a final inspection confirms the work complies with the approved plans and permit. Manhattan has no standalone 'change of use' permit application distinct from this Certificate of Occupancy / final-inspection process and the zoning-use compliance check built into the Town's Building Permit Zoning Review form.
New residential construction activity
New privately-owned residential construction onlyHousing units authorized by building permits for new privately-owned residential construction — this is not total permit volume (no commercial permits or remodels).
- Latest month (2026-05)
- 5units
5 buildings · $3.5M valuation
- Trailing 12 months
- 12units
12 of 12 months reported · #14 in Montana coverage by units
- Year to date (2026 YTD through 2026-05)
- 8units
8 buildings · $5.1M valuation
5 month(s) reported to Census
- Full year 2025
- 11units
11 buildings · $5.8M valuation
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (BPS), 2026-05 vintage. Census survey data — separate from the permit-requirements verification above. All Montana building activity
Tips & gotchas
- Manhattan is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for the FULL trade set: Building (B), Mechanical (M), Plumbing (P), Electrical (E), and Swimming Pool (SP) — verified directly against the DLI's official 'Certified City, County and Town Programs' PDF roster (updated 2026-04-22): 'Manhattan | B, M, P, E, SP | Brandon Yung | | City Limits'. This matches the full certification level of Billings and Belgrade.
- Unusual local arrangement: while Manhattan issues its own permits under its own DLI certification, Manhattan Town Code 12-1-2.C requires that 'Plans shall be reviewed and inspections made in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Bozeman city building code enforcement division' — i.e., Manhattan's plan review and inspection procedure follows Bozeman's rules even though the permit itself is a Manhattan permit issued by Manhattan's own Building Official.
- A single combined Building/Electrical/Mechanical/Plumbing Permit Application covers all four trades plus the zoning permit — Town Code 12-1-2.A: a building permit application 'shall include a plumbing permit, electrical permit, and zoning permit.'
- Building/zoning permits are only required for structures with an enclosed area greater than 200 square feet (codified 2024 in both Town Code 12-1-2 and 10-2-2.A.4) — note the Town's older 'How To Obtain A Building Permit' flyer states a 120 sq ft exemption threshold for detached accessory buildings, which is narrower than (and likely superseded by) the 2024-codified 200 sq ft figure.
- No online fee schedule exists for Manhattan permits: Town Code 12-1-2.B and 10-2-3.A both specify that the fee schedule is established administratively and 'available at the town office' / 'filed in the office of the town council' rather than published in the ordinance text or on the website. Every permitType's fees[] array is intentionally empty (not fabricated) — call (406) 284-3235 or (406) 595-9300 for current figures.
- Residential building permit review takes up to 10 working days once a complete application is submitted, per the Town's own published guide — this aligns with the Montana statutory ceiling (MCA 50-60-106(2)(c)) for DLI-certified jurisdictions reviewing single-family-dwelling permits.
- Fences 6 feet or under still require a dedicated Fence Permit with at least two site inspections — this is NOT a permit-exempt category, unlike the general building-permit exemption for structures under 200 sq ft.
- Building permits expire after 180 days without work started, or 180 days of inactivity; one 180-day extension is available by written request; expired permits renew at 50% of the original fee.
- Inspections must be requested by phone by 4:30 PM the day before; call Building Official Brandon Yung directly at (406) 595-9300.
- Manhattan's Town Code was significantly amended in 2024-2025 (Ord. 24-004, 24-005, 25-001) — the 200 sq ft threshold and current permit-bundling language reflect the 2024 amendment (Ord. 24-005, 5-9-2024) to Title 12, Chapter 1.
- Census: Manhattan town, Gallatin County, Montana — state FIPS 30, place FIPS 47575, county FIPS 031, per the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 Place and County FIPS reference files (directly fetched and confirmed, not inferred).