Solar PV / Alternative Energy Permit (State-Issued) in Cut Bank, Montana

Cut Bank requires a solar pv / alternative energy permit (state-issued) for: Complete the state's Application for Alternative Energy Permit (BCP-1 series, Rev. 11/25): identify the alternative energy type as Solar and the system type (PV String System, Generator, or Micro Inverter/AC Module System); If the system will produce 90 or more volts, the electrical work must be performed by a Montana-licensed electrical contractor unless the homeowner is doing the work on their own private house; If the project involves a grid-tied alternative energy generator (virtually all net-metered residential/commercial solar), a licensed electrical contractor must obtain an ADDITIONAL permit for the final utility interconnection — stated directly on the state application form; Mail the completed application and fee to Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or apply online at https://aca-prod.accela.com/bcb/; Because Cut Bank holds its own DLI Building certification, a separate City of Cut Bank Building Permit application is likely required for the roof-mount racking/structural attachment portion of the installation — confirm with the City. 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 state's Application for Alternative Energy Permit lists a flat $45 fee under 'Residential Change of Service,' which applies to residential grid-tied solar. Commercial solar is billed on the state's tiered valuation-based fee schedule (e.g., $45 for the first $500 plus 6% of the balance for projects up to $1,000).

Cut Bank does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact 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 for current turnaround.

You'll need: Application for Alternative Energy Permit. Depending on your project, Cut Bank may also ask for: City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

Cut Bank requires 2 inspection(s) for a solar pv / alternative energy permit (state-issued), in order: Rough-In (Electrical), Final Interconnection. Schedule each 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. ((406) 873-5526).

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.

Cut Bank, Montana has adopted: 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 trades in a partially-certified jurisdiction 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/building-codes-permits).; Cut Bank is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Building (B) ONLY within city limits; certified building official on file with DLI: Kory Sandon, (406) 873-5526. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, 'Montana Certified Local Government Program' roster, updated 04/22/2026, https://bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdf — roster row: 'Cutbank | B | Kory Sandon | 873-5526 | City Limits' (verified directly via pdftotext extraction of the primary-source PDF, not a third-party mirror).; The City of Cut Bank's own Building Permit Fee Schedule and Permitting FAQ (published on cityofcutbank.org) confirm the City issues Building permits only, while explicitly directing applicants to the Montana DLI for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits: 'Where do I get my mechanical, electrical, or plumbing permit? Online from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.' Source: City of Cut Bank Permitting FAQ's (PDF), cityofcutbank.org/media/2616; Per the Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau's Current Codes page (statewide effective date June 11, 2022, applicable to all certified and state-enforced jurisdictions alike): 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC, 2021 ISPSC, 2021 UPC, 2020 NEC, 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessibility. Cut Bank's own Building Permit Application checklist references the adopted Uniform/International Residential Code framework (IRC Section R105.2 exemptions, R301.1.3 engineered design, R314/R315 smoke and CO alarms, R311.4 egress) consistent with enforcement of the state-adopted IRC edition rather than a locally-amended one. Source: bsd.dli.mt.gov/building-codes-permits/current-codes; City of Cut Bank Building Permit Application Checklist (PDF), cityofcutbank.org/media/2766. Local amendments apply — see the Cut Bank overview page for the full list.

The Montana Department of Labor & Industry Building Codes Bureau issues the electrical/interconnection permit for solar PV in Cut Bank, using its statewide Application for Alternative Energy Permit — the City's own Permitting FAQ confirms electrical permits are obtained from the state, not the city. The roof-mount/racking structural portion is likely handled by the City of Cut Bank's own Building Permit.