You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-16.
West Yellowstone building permits
VerifiedWest Yellowstone, Montana — as published 2026-07-16.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Codes adopted
Permit types & fees
Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family/residential construction, additions, alterations, and repairs on RESIDENTIAL property within West Yellowstone town limits. Issued by the Town of West Yellowstone under its DLI certification for Building (B), RESIDENTIAL ONLY, reviewed by Building Inspector Kyle/KC Tanner against the state-adopted 2021 IBC/IRC/IECC editions. This certification does NOT extend to commercial building work — see the separate commercial-building-permit-state entry. A separate Zoning Permit is also required.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Complete the Town of West Yellowstone Building Permit form: job address; legal description (lot/block/subdivision); owner and contractor contact information and contractor license number; architect/designer and engineer information (if applicable)
- Provide building setbacks (front/side/side/rear) and building dimensions (length/width/height); indicate whether a site plan and basement are included, and number of bedrooms
- Select Class of Work: New, Addition, Alteration, or Repair
- State existing use and proposed use of the building, and describe the work
- Provide valuation of work
- A separate Zoning Permit application is also required for new construction, additions, renovations, relocation of a structure, or erection of a fence within Town limits
- Separate permits are required for Electrical, Plumbing, Heating, Ventilating, or Air Conditioning — not covered by this Building Permit
- Permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 180 days, or if work is suspended/abandoned for 180 days at any time after commencement
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding PermitTown of West Yellowstone Building Permit form; available at https://www.townofwestyellowstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Building-Permit-FINAL.pdf
- RequiredApplication for Zoning PermitRequired in addition to the Building Permit for new construction, additions, renovations, relocations, or fences; includes a detailed site plan requirement
- RequiredSite PlanDetailed site plan showing lot dimensions, acreage, property lines, building/wall setbacks, building dimensions, easements, private wells, and parking spaces, per the Zoning Permit application's attachment requirements
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit / Sewer / Water Meter / Water / Driveway Bond / Other fee line items | The Town's own Building Permit form includes a printed 'FEE SCHEDULE' block (Permit, Sewer, Water Meter, Water, Driveway Bond, Other, Total) in the office-use-only section, but with no dollar amounts pre-printed on the publicly available form — fees are filled in by Town staff at time of issuance from a schedule maintained internally, not published online as of this review (checked the Building Permit PDF and the Public Services page). Contact the Building Department at (406) 646-7609 for current figures. |
Zoning Permit
VerifiedRequired for all new construction, additions, renovations, relocation of a structure, or erection of a fence within West Yellowstone town limits. Administered by the Town's Administration Department; commercial projects (including nightly rentals and apartment developments) follow an expanded Commercial Site Plan Review process involving the Development Review Group (DRG), Planning Board, and Town Council.
Verified 2026-07-13 · Source
Requirements
- Complete Application for Zoning Permit: applicant and owner-of-record contact information; legal description of property (street address, subdivision, block, lot, lot size/dimensions); use and occupancy details (current use, mixed-use status, occupant load, parking spots, number of buildings/dwelling units, number of bedrooms/sleeping units)
- Attach a detailed site plan showing lot dimensions, acreage, property lines, building/wall setbacks, building dimensions, easements, private wells, and available parking spaces
- Attach a detailed project description including a legal description of the property and the nature of construction/addition/relocation/remodel/fence work
- A legal survey may be required if setbacks are in question
- If the proposed project does not meet requirements, a separate Variance Request application must be submitted instead/in addition
- For commercial applications (including nightly rentals and apartment developments): submit the Commercial Site Plan Review checklist items (Drainage Plan, Stormwater, Emergency Access Plan, Fencing, Snow Storage, Parking & Loading, Trash, Water/Sewer, Lighting Plan, Landscaping Plan, Fire Suppression, Egress/Ingress-Access, Traffic Plan, Signage, or a narrative explaining inapplicability)
- Applicant must provide proof of state building permit (for commercial projects, since Building for commercial work is state-issued) and obtain a Town of West Yellowstone Business License
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Zoning PermitTown of West Yellowstone Zoning Permit application form, submitted to the Administration Department by drop-off at Town Hall or by email to info@westyellowstone.gov
- RequiredDetailed Site PlanSite plan showing lot dimensions, acreage, setbacks, building dimensions, easements, wells, and parking
- OptionalCommercial Site Plan Review ChecklistRequired only for commercial applications (including nightly rentals and apartment developments); covers drainage, stormwater, emergency access, fencing, snow storage, parking/loading, trash, water/sewer, lighting, landscaping, fire suppression, egress/ingress, traffic, and signage
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Permit application fee | The Zoning Permit application states 'Fees shall be paid according to the current schedule - contact Town Offices for fee information' — no dollar figure is published on the form or the Public Services page as of this review. Contact the Town Offices, (406) 646-7795, for the current fee. |
Commercial Building Permit (State-Issued)
VerifiedBecause West Yellowstone's DLI certification for Building covers RESIDENTIAL work only, any commercial building project within town limits — new construction, addition, alteration — requires a Building Permit/Plan Review Application issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not by the Town, under the 2021 IBC. The Town's own Commercial Zoning Permit process explicitly requires proof of this state building permit before issuing its local Zoning Permit and Business License.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Submit a Building Permit/Plan Review Application together with complete construction plans to the Building Codes Bureau
- Plan review fee is generally 1%-2% of building valuation, calculated by the Bureau after initial screening
- A state building permit must be obtained before construction begins
- Building permits must be issued before related Plumbing, Mechanical, or Electrical permits can be issued or that work can begin
- Applicant must provide proof of the issued state building permit to the Town of West Yellowstone as part of the Town's Commercial Zoning Permit / Business License process
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, MCA and ARM Title 24, Chapter 301
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit/Plan Review ApplicationMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form; mailed with payment to Building and Commercial Measurements Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59602, or filed online at BuildingPermits.Mt.Gov / ebiz.mt.gov
- RequiredConstruction PlansComplete construction plans and details expedite plan review per the Bureau's own guidance
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit/Plan Review Fee | Generally 1%-2% of building valuation, calculated by the Building Codes Bureau after screening | Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, 'Is a State Building Permit Needed?' guidance page — this is the Bureau's own stated fee-calculation method for state-issued building permits, which governs West Yellowstone's commercial building projects since the Town's own certification does not cover commercial building work |
Electrical Permit (State-Issued)
VerifiedBecause West Yellowstone holds no DLI certification in Electrical (only a residential-only Building certification), electrical work anywhere within town limits — residential or commercial — requires a Residential, Homeowner, or Commercial Electrical Permit issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not by the Town, under the 2020 NEC. The same statewide BCP-1 fee schedule already documented for Anaconda-Deer Lodge and Hardin applies.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Application must be signed and dated by the licensed electrical contractor's person in charge, or filed as a homeowner permit for owner-performed work on an owner-occupied home
- Payment must be submitted with the application; incomplete applications are returned unprocessed
- Property address, GEOCODE/parcel/lot/block, owner information, and power company must be provided
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Building Codes Program, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov / BuildingPermits.Mt.Gov / aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
- OptionalApplication for Homeowner Electrical PermitFor homeowners personally wiring their own owner-occupied home, garage, and premises
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential — Up to 200-amp service (new single-family dwelling or cabin) | $200 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — the same statewide fee schedule applied to all non-electrically-certified Montana jurisdictions, already verified for Anaconda-Deer Lodge and Hardin in this dataset |
| Residential — 201 to 400-amp service | $380 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Residential — 401 to 600-amp service | $600 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Residential — 601-amp service and up | $800 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Residential Change of Service — exterior meter base, interior/exterior main disconnect only | $45 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Commercial Electrical — valuation $0 to $1,000 | $45 for the first $500 plus 6% of the balance | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) Commercial fee chart |
| Commercial Electrical — valuation $50,001 or more | $455 for the first $50,000 plus 0.3% of the balance | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
Plumbing Permit (State-Issued, incl. Water Heater)
VerifiedBecause West Yellowstone holds no DLI certification in Plumbing (only a residential-only Building certification), plumbing work anywhere within town limits — including water heater installation/replacement, residential or commercial — requires a Plumbing Permit issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, not by the Town, under the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code. The same statewide BCP-1 fee schedule already documented for Anaconda-Deer Lodge and Hardin applies.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Application must be signed by the Master Plumber and include the Master Plumber License Number, or filed as a homeowner permit for owner-performed work where allowed
- Homeowner exemption: a homeowner does not need a state plumbing permit if performing the installation themselves on their own owner-occupied residence, not built for resale or as a rental
- Property address, county, and whether the job is inside city limits must be indicated
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 505, MCA and ARM 24.301.301 / 24.301.361
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Plumbing PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov / BuildingPermits.Mt.Gov
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Each plumbing fixture or trap | $10 each | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Plumbing Permit, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — same statewide schedule already verified for Anaconda-Deer Lodge and Hardin |
| Each new water heater or replacement | $25 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Each connection of building water supply to water service/public utility or private well | $20 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Each connection of building drain to sewer system/public or septic | $20 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit (State-Issued)
VerifiedBecause West Yellowstone's current DLI certification covers Building (residential only) and does NOT include Mechanical, mechanical/HVAC work anywhere within town limits — residential or commercial — is treated in this dataset as requiring a Mechanical Permit issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, under the 2021 International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code, using the same statewide BCP-1 fee schedule already documented for Anaconda-Deer Lodge and Hardin. NOTE: the Town of West Yellowstone also still publishes its own local 'Application for Mechanical Permit' form (citing WYMC 15.04.010) with a distinct local fee schedule and 'Building Department, 646-7609' contact — this appears inconsistent with the current DLI roster and should be confirmed directly with the Town before relying on either fee schedule.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Project Value must be provided; permit fee is calculated from the state's valuation-based fee schedule
- Type of Building and Type of Work must be indicated
- Boiler work requires a separate Boiler Permit form, not the Mechanical Permit
- Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 104, MCA and ARM 24.301.172
- UNRESOLVED DISCREPANCY: the Town's own Application for Mechanical Permit form (citing WYMC 15.04.010 and ARM 8.70.105) directs applicants to the Town's own Building Department, (406) 646-7609, and prints a local fee schedule, rather than routing to the state — confirm directly with the Town Building Department which process currently governs before applying
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Mechanical Permit (State BCP-1)Montana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov / BuildingPermits.Mt.Gov
- OptionalApplication for Mechanical Permit (Town of West Yellowstone local form)Town-branded Mechanical Permit application citing WYMC 15.04.010 and ARM 8.70.105, with its own printed local fee schedule; available at the Town's Public Services page. Confirm with the Building Department, (406) 646-7609, whether this local form or the state BCP-1 process currently governs, given the DLI roster's residential-only-Building-only certification for West Yellowstone.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State Mechanical Permit — project value $0 to $10,000 | $48 for the first $1,000 plus $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Mechanical Permit (BCP-1) statewide Fee Schedule — same schedule already verified for Anaconda-Deer Lodge and Hardin. This is presented as the governing figure per the current DLI certified-jurisdiction roster, which does not list West Yellowstone as Mechanical-certified. |
| Town of West Yellowstone local Mechanical Permit fee (per Town's own form) — cost of mechanical system $0-$10,000 | $40 for the 1st $1,000 plus $12 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | Printed directly on the Town's own 'Application For Mechanical Permit' form (citing WYMC 15.04.010 and ARM 8.70.105); reported here as a documented discrepancy against the current DLI roster's residential-only-Building-only certification for West Yellowstone, NOT adopted as the governing fee — confirm with the Town Building Department, (406) 646-7609, which schedule currently applies. |
Solar Panel Permit (State-Issued Electrical/Alternative Energy Permit)
VerifiedWest Yellowstone's DLI certification covers Building (B), residential only — the Town holds no Electrical certification at all, so solar installations (which Montana's statewide system permits through the electrical/alternative-energy track, not a distinct 'solar building permit') route directly to the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena, the same as any other West Yellowstone electrical work (see electrical-permit-state). There is no separate 'solar permit' fee category in Montana's state system: solar is permitted through a Residential/Commercial Electrical Permit (if a licensed contractor performs the whole job) or an Application for Alternative Energy Permit (if a non-electrician installer does the panel work, with a licensed contractor required only for the final grid-tie connection). This is the same statewide mechanism already documented and verified for unincorporated Yellowstone County (see solar-panel-permit in that file) and applies identically here because West Yellowstone, like that county, has no local electrical certification of its own.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- If the installer is a licensed electrical contractor: the contractor applies for a Residential (or Commercial) Electrical Permit for the dwelling/amperage and selects 'solar' on the application
- If the installer is not an electrician: the solar installer submits an Application for Alternative Energy Permit and provides solar system information (alternative energy type, solar system type, whether the system produces 90+ volts, whether it is grid-tied)
- If grid-tied, a Montana-licensed electrical contractor is required to perform the final connection to the utility grid, even if a homeowner or non-electrician installer did the rest
- A homeowner may self-install using a Homeowner Electrical Permit and provide solar information, but a licensed electrical contractor must still make the grid-tie connection if applicable
- Commercial solar always requires a licensed electrical contractor; fee is based on total value of the electrical work including solar
- Confirm with the Town whether a local Zoning Permit is also required for the physical installation — the Town's Application for Zoning Permit covers 'new construction, additions, renovations, relocation of a structure, or erection of a fence,' and it was not independently confirmed whether the Town treats a roof- or ground-mounted solar array as falling within that scope; call Public Services, (406) 646-7795, to confirm before applying
- West Yellowstone's own residential Building Permit (Town-issued, since the Town is certified for Building, residential only) may separately apply to structural/racking work tied to new residential construction; a retrofit solar installation on an existing roof is expected to be handled primarily through the state electrical/alternative-energy track described above, consistent with the county-level pattern already documented for unincorporated Yellowstone County
Required documents
- OptionalApplication for Alternative Energy PermitUsed when the solar installer is not a licensed electrical contractor; filed with the Montana Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or online. Requires answering: alternative energy type (solar/wind/hydro), solar system type (PV string, generator, or microinverter/AC module), whether the system produces 90+ volts, and whether it is grid-tied.
- OptionalApplication for Residential Electrical Permit or Homeowner Electrical PermitUsed instead of the Alternative Energy Permit when a licensed electrical contractor or the homeowner personally performs the entire installation
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Change of Service (solar connection) | $45 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Alternative Energy Permit (ARM 24.301.431, Rev. 11/25), option F — same statewide fee already verified for unincorporated Yellowstone County |
| Commercial solar/electrical project $0-$1,000 | $45 for the first $500 + 6% of the balance | Same source, option G fee chart |
| Commercial solar/electrical project $1,001-$10,000 | $75 for the first $1,000 + 2% of the balance | Same source |
| Commercial solar/electrical project $10,001-$50,000 | $255 for the first $10,000 + 0.5% of the balance | Same source |
| Commercial solar/electrical project $50,001 or more | $455 for the first $50,000 + 0.3% of the balance | Same source |
EV Charger Installation (State-Issued Electrical/Alternative Energy Permit)
VerifiedWest Yellowstone's DLI certification covers Building (B), residential only — the Town holds no Electrical certification at all, so EV charging station (EVSE) installations, like solar, route directly to the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau in Helena for the electrical work, the same as any other West Yellowstone electrical permit (see electrical-permit-state). Montana's state Building Codes Bureau permits a Level 2 or DC fast charger circuit through a standard Residential or Commercial Electrical Permit (BCP-1) — there is no separate statewide 'EV charger permit' fee category, consistent with the same statewide mechanism already documented for solar-pv-permit in this file.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- A licensed electrical contractor applies for a Residential (or Commercial) Electrical Permit for the dwelling/circuit and lists the EV charger circuit as the scope of work
- A homeowner may self-install using a Homeowner Electrical Permit on their own owner-occupied residence, per the same statewide homeowner-permit exemption documented in this file's electrical-permit-state entry
- A panel/service upgrade tied to the charger installation is billed under the same statewide 'Residential Change of Service' fee line used for other service upgrades
- Commercial EV charging installations always require a licensed electrical contractor; fee is based on total value of the electrical work
- Confirm with the Town whether a local Zoning Permit is also required for the physical installation if it includes a new canopy or structural mounting — the Town's Application for Zoning Permit covers 'new construction, additions, renovations, relocation of a structure,' and it was not independently confirmed whether the Town treats an EV-charger canopy or pedestal as falling within that scope; call Public Services, (406) 646-7795, to confirm before applying
- West Yellowstone's own residential Building Permit (Town-issued, since the Town is certified for Building, residential only) may separately apply to structural/canopy work tied to new residential construction; a standalone wall/pedestal-mounted charger retrofit is expected to be handled primarily through the state electrical track described above
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical Permit or Homeowner Electrical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1); mailed with payment to Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov / BuildingPermits.Mt.Gov / aca-prod.accela.com/bcb
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Change of Service — exterior meter base, interior/exterior main disconnect only | $45 | Montana Building Codes Bureau, Application for Residential Electrical Permit, BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) — same statewide fee schedule already documented for this file's electrical-permit-state and solar-pv-permit entries; there is no distinct EV-charger fee line, so a charger circuit/service-upgrade project is billed under this or the applicable amperage-tier fee below |
| Residential — Up to 200-amp service (new circuit/service tied to charger installation) | $200 | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) |
| Commercial Electrical — valuation $0 to $1,000 | $45 for the first $500 plus 6% of the balance | BCP-1 (Rev. 11/25) Commercial fee chart |
Sign Permit
VerifiedRequired for installation of any sign (ground, wall, window, canopy/awning, projecting, or directional) on commercial, church, office, school, or other property within West Yellowstone town limits. Administered by the Town via its own Application for Sign Permit — a genuinely active, tourism-driven commercial district (hotels, restaurants, gift shops along the Central Business and Expanded Business Districts) makes this a real, regularly-used local process, not a formality. Signs extending over a public right-of-way require additional insurance/bonding information.
Verified 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Complete Application for Sign Permit: address of sign, business name, and estimated cost of sign
- Provide Property Owner Information: name, address, city/state/zip, e-mail, phone, fax
- Provide Contractor Information for both the Sign Company and, if applicable, the Electrician (name, address, city/state/zip, phone), plus a contact person with phone/fax/e-mail
- Specify Sign Information: type of sign (Ground, Wall, Window, Canopy/Awning, Projecting, Directional, or Other); size in square feet; dimensions; height of sign at highest point; color of raceway and color of façade
- Indicate whether the sign is illuminated (No / Yes-Internal / Yes-External / Other) and whether new electrical service is required
- Indicate Property Use: Commercial, Church, Office, School, or Other
- For signs extending over a public right-of-way: provide insurance/bonding agent name, address, city/state/zip, and policy number
- Signature of Property Owner required; also Signature of Property Lessee and/or Signature of Owner of Sign / Applicant if different from the property owner
- Provide a Site Plan showing where the sign is located on the property, using the standard Town lot grid (scale 1 inch = 20 feet; grid represents a standard Town lot, 100 feet by 150 feet)
- Provide a description and design specs showing sizes and colors of signs
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Sign PermitTown of West Yellowstone Application for Sign Permit form (3 pages: application, right-of-way/owner signatures, site plan grid); available at https://www.townofwestyellowstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sign-Permit.pdf
- RequiredSite PlanSite plan showing where the sign is located on the property, using the form's printed 1 inch = 20 feet grid for a standard 100' x 150' Town lot
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Permit fee | The Town's own Application for Sign Permit includes a printed 'Fee Paid $___' line (with Date, Check#, and Initials) in its office-use-only section, but with no dollar amount pre-printed on the publicly available form — fees are filled in by Town staff at issuance, the same not-publicly-listed pattern as this file's residential Building Permit and Zoning Permit entries. Contact Public Services, (406) 646-7795, for current figures. |
Fire Sprinkler & Fire Alarm Systems (No Distinct Permit Product)
West Yellowstone has NO standalone 'fire sprinkler permit' or 'fire alarm permit' — this was actively chased, not assumed. Montana's DLI Building Codes Bureau does not certify a distinct 'Fire' trade at all: the certified-jurisdictions roster's trade columns cover only Building (B), Plumbing (P), Electrical (E), Mechanical (M), Swimming Pool (SP), and Wildland-Urban Interface (W) — West Yellowstone is listed only for 'B (residential only)'. The Bureau's own permit-applications index likewise lists only Boiler, Building, Electrical, Elevator, Factory-Built Buildings, Mechanical, and Plumbing permit categories — no Fire Sprinkler or Fire Alarm permit exists among them. The separate Montana Fire Protection License Program (a DLI professional-licensing board) licenses fire-protection CONTRACTORS/installers but does not itself issue installation permits or conduct plan review. In practice, fire suppression/alarm work in West Yellowstone is reviewed through two existing channels already documented in this file: (1) for new commercial construction or alteration, as part of the state DLI Commercial Building Permit's plan review under the adopted 2021 IBC (see commercial-building-permit-state); and (2) as one checklist line item ('Fire Suppression') within the Town's own Commercial Site Plan Review process bundled into the Zoning Permit (see zoning-permit). No independent Town Fire Department or fire-district fee schedule for sprinkler/alarm plan review was found published online after an exhaustive search.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- No standalone fire-sprinkler or fire-alarm permit exists at the Town or Montana state level — confirmed against the DLI Building Codes Bureau's permit-applications index (Boiler, Building, Electrical, Elevator, Factory-Built Buildings, Mechanical, Plumbing only) and the DLI certified-jurisdictions roster (no Fire trade column; West Yellowstone lists only B, residential only)
- For NEW commercial construction or alteration: fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems are reviewed as part of the state DLI Building Codes Bureau's Commercial Building Permit plan review under the 2021 IBC — see commercial-building-permit-state (no separate fire fee line item)
- For the Town's Zoning Permit / Commercial Site Plan Review: applicants must separately submit a Fire Suppression plan or a narrative explaining inapplicability, as one of many checklist items reviewed by the Development Review Group, Planning Board, and Town Council — see zoning-permit
- The Montana Fire Protection License Program (dli.mt.gov Boards Division) licenses fire-protection contractors/installers but does not itself issue construction/installation permits or conduct plan review
- No Town of West Yellowstone Fire Department web page, permit form, or fee schedule was found published online — checked the Town's complete page-sitemap.xml (33 pages) and its 'Deparments' page directly for any mention of 'Fire': zero results in either. Confirm directly with the Town, (406) 646-7795, or West Yellowstone Fire & Emergency Services (reported office phone (406) 646-9073, per a third-party fire-department directory) whether the department separately reviews or inspects sprinkler/alarm installations beyond the state/Town channels already documented
- Hebgen Basin (Rural) Fire District, which also serves the greater West Yellowstone area, publishes only a Burn Permit process on its own website (hbfd.bravesites.com) — no building, sprinkler, or alarm permit/fee information was found there
Required documents
- OptionalCommercial Building Permit/Plan Review Application (state BCP form)Fire suppression and alarm system plans for new commercial construction/alteration are submitted as part of this same state application, not a separate fire-specific form — see commercial-building-permit-state
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm Permit fee | No distinct fee category exists — confirmed absent from the DLI Building Codes Bureau's permit-applications index and fee schedules, and no independent Town Fire Department or fire-district fee schedule was found published online. Commercial fire-suppression review is bundled into the state Commercial Building Permit's valuation-based plan-review fee (see commercial-building-permit-state) with no separate line item for fire systems. |
Change of Use / Occupancy (via Business License Application)
VerifiedWest Yellowstone has no separately named 'Change of Use Permit' or 'Certificate of Occupancy' application — this was actively chased, not assumed. A change in commercial tenant, business use, ownership, or location is instead administered through the Town's Business License process (WYMC Chapter 5.04): the applicant checks New Business, Transfer of Ownership, Change of Location, or Name Change on the Business License Application, provides required fire and health inspection documentation (WYMC 5.04.020), a parking site plan (or certification of parking in-lieu payment), and, for Grizzly Park properties, Grizzly Park Architectural Committee (GPAC) approval. Completed applications are approved or denied by the Town Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting (Town Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month) unless the Planning Board needs additional time to review the parking plan (WYMC 5.04.030(B)) — EXCEPT a same-nature/same-location ownership Transfer, which the Town Clerk can instead process administratively upon fee payment and an internal parking-plan review (WYMC 5.04.030(C)), without waiting for a Town Council meeting. Separately, Montana's own state Building Permit rules are explicitly triggered by 'a change of occupancy' for non-exempt buildings outside a local government program's jurisdiction, per the DLI Building Codes Bureau's own Building Permit FAQ — so a change of use accompanied by construction/remodeling of a West Yellowstone commercial building also requires the state Commercial Building Permit already documented in commercial-building-permit-state.
Verified 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Complete the Town of West Yellowstone Business License Application, marking one of: New Business, Transfer of Ownership, Change of Location, or Name Change
- Provide Business Name, Applicant, Contact Person, Mailing Address, Physical Address of Business, Subdivision/Block/Lot, and Zoning District (B-3 Central Business District, B-4 Expanded Business District, E-2 Entertainment District, PUD, or Residential Districts/Home Occupations Only)
- Signature of Property Owner of Record is required on the application
- Indicate whether the business is licensed by the State of Montana, and attach appropriate Town/County/Health Department approvals if applicable
- If the business is located in Grizzly Park, obtain Grizzly Park Architectural Committee (GPAC) approval
- Describe the type of business in detail: number of units, seating capacity, etc. (contractors must also list trailers/equipment and storage location)
- Submit a Site Plan delineating parking for the business, or certification of parking in-lieu payment, drawn to the form's printed 1 inch = 20 feet grid for a standard 100' x 150' Town lot
- Pay the Business License Fee; if the business is subject to the Town's resort tax (WYMC Chapter 3.12), also post a Resort Tax Bond
- Per WYMC 5.04.020: required fire and health inspection documentation must be included before a business license (and thus a use/tenant/ownership/location change) can be approved
- For a same-nature/same-location ownership Transfer specifically: the Town Clerk may process the application administratively upon fee payment and an internal parking-plan review (WYMC 5.04.030(C)) — faster than the full New Business/Change of Location path
- For any new construction or alteration accompanying the use change on a commercial building: a separate state Commercial Building Permit is required, since Montana's state Building Permit rules are explicitly triggered by 'a change of occupancy' for non-exempt buildings outside a local government program's jurisdiction — see commercial-building-permit-state
- Business licenses are issued on an annual basis, effective June 1st through May 31st of the following year; businesses may renew after March 1st for the following license year, and a late fee applies if renewed after June 30th (WYMC 5.04.040)
Required documents
- RequiredBusiness License ApplicationTown of West Yellowstone Business License Application; includes New Business / Transfer of Ownership / Change of Location / Name Change checkboxes, zoning-district selection, and a printed Site Plan page. Available at https://www.townofwestyellowstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Business-License-Packet-2.14.22.pdf
- RequiredSite Plan (Parking)Parking site plan for the business, or certification of parking in-lieu payment, drawn to the form's printed 1 inch = 20 feet grid
- OptionalGrizzly Park Architectural Committee (GPAC) ApprovalRequired only for businesses located within Grizzly Park
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic business license fee | $50 | Town of West Yellowstone Business License Fee Schedule, effective May 14, 2018 — the Town's current published fee schedule as of this review |
| Transferred business (ownership transfer, same nature/location) | $25 | Same source |
| Multi-business license (business under single ownership at a single address) | Basic fee plus $25 per each additional business | Same source |
| Restaurants, seating over 50 | $100 | Same source; illustrates the category-specific fee variation applicable to a genuinely active tourism-town commercial district (hotels, restaurants, gift shops) |
| Resort Tax Bond | $500 | Required if the business is subject to the Town's resort tax under WYMC Chapter 3.12; same fee-schedule source |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-13.
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 West Yellowstone building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.