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Commercial Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Tenant Improvement) in Cut Bank, Montana

Required for new construction, additions, alterations, and tenant improvements to commercial and other non-residential structures within Cut Bank city limits. There is no separate commercial application, guide, or fee schedule -- commercial work is submitted on the same Building Permit Application (Rev. 4.2025) used for residential work, and is identified there by checking 'C' under Permit Type. Reviewed by Building Official Kory Sandon under the City's DLI Building (B)-only certification against the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), the edition Montana adopted statewide effective June 11, 2022. The permit fee is whichever is higher of the City's valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule or the fee computed from the ICC Building Valuation Data Table (occupancy group and construction type, priced per square foot), per the application's own fee-calculation instruction.

Verified 2026-08-26 · Source

When you need this permit

  • Complete the same City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (Rev. 4.2025) used for residential work; under 'Permit Type' check 'C' (the form's own printed checkbox set is R, C, Z / S/W, E), and complete the Tenant/Business Name (DBA) and City Business License # fields in Section 2
  • Plans reviewed for compliance with the 2021 IBC as adopted statewide by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau (effective June 11, 2022) and locally administered under Cut Bank Municipal Code 10-1-1 (Ord. 2007-01, 6-18-2007), which adopts by reference the current editions of the building codes bureau's codes by mayoral administrative order, as authorized by Montana Code Annotated 50-60-301(1)(b)
  • Permit fee is calculated as whichever is higher: the Total Project Cost table in the City's Building Permit Fee Schedule, or the fee produced by applying the ICC Building Valuation Data Table's per-square-foot rate for the project's occupancy group and construction type to the building's total square footage -- stated directly on the application's fee line: 'Permit Fee $ (From Fee Schedule or Building Valuation Data Table - whichever is highest)'
  • The application's own 'Other Requirements' block (Plot Plan, Curb/Gutter/SW Permit, Excavation Permit, Tapping Fee-Water, Tapping Fee-Sewer, Zoning Permit, Health Department, Fire Department, Soil Report, Building Plans, Other) is marked Not Required, Required, or Attached on a per-project basis by City staff -- Fire Department review is one of these per-project determinations rather than a freestanding fire-plan-review application
  • Contractors working in Cut Bank must hold a City business license and current workers' compensation and general liability insurance, the same requirement documented for Cut Bank's residential building permit Contractor
  • Minimum 48-inch frost depth (finish grade to bottom of footing) applies citywide, the same standard documented for Cut Bank's residential building permit

Required documents

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Fee schedule

Building Permit Fee -- valuation $1 to $500City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, 'Cut Bank Building Fees and Permits' -- Building Permit Fee Schedule; the same citywide table applies to residential and commercial valuations alike
$23.50 (subject to the $100.00 minimum permit fee)
Building Permit Fee -- valuation $501 to $2,000City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, Building Permit Fee Schedule
$23.50 for the first $500 plus $3.05 for each additional $100, or fraction thereof, to and including $2,000
Building Permit Fee -- valuation $2,001 to $25,000City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, Building Permit Fee Schedule
$69.25 for the first $2,000 plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $25,000
Building Permit Fee -- valuation $25,001 to $50,000City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, Building Permit Fee Schedule
$391.00 for the first $25,000 plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $50,000
Building Permit Fee -- valuation $50,001 to $100,000City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, Building Permit Fee Schedule
$643.75 for the first $50,000 plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $100,000
Building Permit Fee -- valuation $100,001 to $500,000City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, Building Permit Fee Schedule -- the tier most commercial projects in Cut Bank are likely to fall into or exceed
$993.75 for the first $100,000 plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $500,000
Building Permit Fee -- valuation $500,001 to $1,000,000City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, Building Permit Fee Schedule -- not previously recorded under Cut Bank's residential building permit, whose valuations rarely reach this tier
$3,233.75 for the first $500,000 plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof, to and including $1,000,000
Building Permit Fee -- valuation $1,000,001 and upCity of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, Building Permit Fee Schedule -- the schedule's top tier, with no stated ceiling
$5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000 plus $3.65 for each additional $1,000, or fraction thereof
ICC Building Valuation Data Table (alternative calculation, used if higher than the Fee Schedule)
City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. Show full citationCity of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 4, 'ICC Building Valuation Data Table - August 2023'; the application's own Section 7 fee field instructs the Permit Fee is calculated 'From Fee Schedule or Building Valuation Data Table - whichever is highest,' making this table's per-square-foot figures the operative fee basis whenever they exceed the flat valuation-tier schedule above -- as is common for larger commercial buildings
Per-square-foot rate by occupancy group and construction type, e.g. Group B Business: $263.16 (Type IA) down to $179.49 (Type VB); Group M Mercantile: $205.22 (Type IA) down to $137.53 (Type VB)
Plan Review FeeCity of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3; included with the permit fee unless the application is deemed abandoned
$150.00
Other Inspections and Fees (after-hours inspection, re-inspection for non-compliance, inspection with no specific fee listed, additional plan review from plan changes)City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, Building Permit Fee Schedule
$100.00 per hour (re-inspection: $100.00 each)
Permit Extension FeeCity of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (PDF, Rev. 4.2025), page 3, Building Permit Fee Schedule
$75.00

Review timeline

Plan reviewCut Bank’s published plan-review target
30–40 business days

How long did your Commercial Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Tenant Improvement) permit actually take in Cut Bank?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

  1. 1

    Foundation/Footing

    Verify footing width, depth, material, and 48-inch minimum frost depth before concrete pour

  2. 2

    Framing

    Framing, sheathing, and structural connections per approved plans and adopted 2021 IBC provisions before walls are closed

  3. 3

    Final

    Completed work verified against approved plans, including any Health Department, Fire Department, or other referral conditions marked Required on the application

See the full Cut Bank inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

Tips

  • Cut Bank has no dedicated commercial application, project guide, or fee schedule -- the same Building Permit Application and valuation table used for residential work applies, with the project distinguished only by the 'C' (Commercial) checkbox under Permit Type and the Tenant/Business Name and City Business License fields in Section 2.
  • The permit fee is whichever is higher of the flat valuation-tier Building Permit Fee Schedule or the fee computed from the ICC Building Valuation Data Table's per-square-foot rate for the project's occupancy group and construction type -- a distinction that rarely changes a small residential permit's fee but often determines the fee for a commercial building.
  • Cut Bank Municipal Code 10-1-5 sets a 30 working day maximum for building plan review (extendable to 40 working days when outside aid is needed), a considerably longer window than the City's separate homeowner-facing FAQ estimate of 'usually a week or less.'
  • Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits for commercial work in Cut Bank are issued directly by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, not the City, the same Building (B)-only certification split documented under Cut Bank's electrical-permit-state, plumbing-permit-state, and mechanical-permit-state permit types.
  • The application's own 'Other Requirements' block lists Fire Department alongside Health Department and Soil Report as a per-project Required/Not Required determination. Cut Bank has no dedicated local Fire Marshal or fire-code-adoption ordinance -- City Code Title 6, Chapter 2 covers only the volunteer fire department's organization -- and Montana's own statewide 'All Building Codes Adopted by Montana' list (administered by the DLI Building Codes Bureau under ARM 24.301) does not include the International Fire Code. Glacier County is served by Deputy State Fire Marshal Doug Ulsh of the Montana Department of Justice's Fire Prevention & Investigation Section ((406) 431-3172), whose statutory role under Montana Code Annotated Title 50, Chapter 3 covers public-building inspection and fire-prevention-program certification rather than a published commercial building-permit plan-review submission process. Confirm directly with the Building Official which office actually reviews a given commercial project's Fire Department line.

Frequently asked questions

Cut Bank requires a commercial building permit (new construction / addition / alteration / tenant improvement) for: Complete the same City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application (Rev. 4.2025) used for residential work; under 'Permit Type' check 'C' (the form's own printed checkbox set is R, C, Z / S/W, E), and complete the Tenant/Business Name (DBA) and City Business License # fields in Section 2; Plans reviewed for compliance with the 2021 IBC as adopted statewide by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau (effective June 11, 2022) and locally administered under Cut Bank Municipal Code 10-1-1 (Ord. 2007-01, 6-18-2007), which adopts by reference the current editions of the building codes bureau's codes by mayoral administrative order, as authorized by Montana Code Annotated 50-60-301(1)(b); Permit fee is calculated as whichever is higher: the Total Project Cost table in the City's Building Permit Fee Schedule, or the fee produced by applying the ICC Building Valuation Data Table's per-square-foot rate for the project's occupancy group and construction type to the building's total square footage -- stated directly on the application's fee line: 'Permit Fee $ (From Fee Schedule or Building Valuation Data Table - whichever is highest)'; The application's own 'Other Requirements' block (Plot Plan, Curb/Gutter/SW Permit, Excavation Permit, Tapping Fee-Water, Tapping Fee-Sewer, Zoning Permit, Health Department, Fire Department, Soil Report, Building Plans, Other) is marked Not Required, Required, or Attached on a per-project basis by City staff -- Fire Department review is one of these per-project determinations rather than a freestanding fire-plan-review application; Contractors working in Cut Bank must hold a City business license and current workers' compensation and general liability insurance, the same requirement documented for Cut Bank's residential building permit; Minimum 48-inch frost depth (finish grade to bottom of footing) applies citywide, the same standard documented for Cut Bank's residential building permit. If your project isn't listed, confirm with City of Cut Bank Building Department — Building Official Kory Sandon, Certified Residential & Commercial Building Inspector; city-certified for Building (B) permits only. Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical permits within Cut Bank city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. at (406) 873-5526 before starting work.

The application calculates the permit fee as whichever is higher: the City's valuation-based Building Permit Fee Schedule (the same table used for residential work, minimum $100.00), or the fee produced by applying the ICC Building Valuation Data Table's per-square-foot rate for the project's occupancy group and construction type. A $150.00 plan review fee is included with the permit fee unless the application is deemed abandoned.

Cut Bank Municipal Code 10-1-5 requires the building inspector to complete plan review within 30 working days of submittal, extendable by 10 more working days (to 40 total) when outside aid is needed. The City's separate homeowner-facing Permitting FAQ states a shorter 'usually a week or less' estimate, but that figure is not drawn from the municipal code and appears aimed at simpler residential projects.

You'll need: Building Permit Application; Construction Plans and Drawings; Plot Plan. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Apply through City of Cut Bank Building Department — Building Official Kory Sandon, Certified Residential & Commercial Building Inspector; city-certified for Building (B) permits only. Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical permits within Cut Bank city limits are issued directly by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau, not the City. at 221 West Main Street, Cut Bank, MT 59427. Phone: (406) 873-5526, email: ksandon@cityofcutbank.org. Office hours: City Hall (Winter Hours): Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Building Official Kory Sandon can be reached directly at (406) 873-5526 or ksandon@cityofcutbank.org.. Official information: https://www.cityofcutbank.org/building-department.

The 2021 International Building Code, adopted statewide by the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau effective June 11, 2022, and administered locally under Cut Bank Municipal Code 10-1-1 (Ord. 2007-01), which adopts the building codes bureau's current editions by mayoral administrative order under Montana Code Annotated 50-60-301(1)(b).

No. Commercial work is submitted on the same Building Permit Application used for residential work, distinguished by checking 'C' (Commercial) under Permit Type and completing the Tenant/Business Name and City Business License fields. There is no separate commercial guide, checklist, or fee schedule published by the City.

The Building Permit Application marks Fire Department as Required, Not Required, or Attached on a per-project basis, alongside Health Department and Soil Report. Cut Bank has no dedicated local Fire Marshal or fire-code-adoption ordinance, and the International Fire Code is not among the codes the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau lists as adopted statewide. Glacier County's Deputy State Fire Marshal (Montana Department of Justice, (406) 431-3172) handles public-building inspection and fire-prevention certification under state law, but no published process ties that office to Cut Bank's building-permit plan review specifically -- confirm with the Building Official which office reviews a given project's Fire Department line.

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Other permits in Cut Bank

Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration)Deck / Accessory Structure Permit (Garage, Pole Barn, Patio Cover)Re-Roofing PermitZoning Permit (Fence, New Construction Siting, Variance)Demolition PermitElectrical Permit (State-Issued)Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permit (State-Issued Electrical Permit)Plumbing Permit (State-Issued, incl. Water Heater)Mechanical / HVAC Permit (State-Issued)Solar PV / Alternative Energy Permit (State-Issued)Sign Regulations (No Dedicated Sign Permit Process)Fire Sprinkler / Fire Protection System Permit (State-Issued, via Plumbing Permit)Fire Alarm System Permit (State-Issued, via Electrical Permit — No Dedicated Fee Line)Change Of Occupancy / Certificate Of Occupancy (Processed Via Building Permit Application)

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