Do I Need a Permit to Install an EV Charger in Montana?
EV charger installation permit requirements. Level 1 vs Level 2, panel capacity, and available rebates.
Level 2 (240V) chargers yes. Level 1 (120V plug-in) no.
Level 1 vs Level 2
Level 1 chargers plug into a standard 120V outlet and do not require a permit. Level 2 chargers require a dedicated 240V circuit (usually 40-50 amps) and always require an electrical permit. Level 2 is what most EV owners install for practical daily charging speeds.
Panel Capacity
A Level 2 EV charger draws 40A and requires a 50A breaker. Many older homes have 100A or 150A panels that may not have capacity. If your panel is full, you'll need a sub-panel or panel upgrade ($1,500-$3,000 additional). An electrician can do a load calculation to determine if your current panel can handle it.
Installation Location
Most home EV chargers are installed in the garage, near the electrical panel. Longer runs from the panel to the charger increase wire cost. Outdoor installations require a weatherproof-rated charger (NEMA 4 or 4X enclosure).
Rebates and Incentives
Many utilities offer rebates for residential EV charger installations. Federal tax credits may also apply. Check current programs with your utility before installation — rebates often require pre-approval and may have specific equipment requirements.
Level 2 chargers need an electrical permit ($40-$75). Fast approval, one inspection. Check for utility rebates first.
Permit fees by city in Montana
Verified from each city’s published fee schedule. Where a city has no separate fee listed for this project, open the city page for the current requirements and amount.
40 rows
| Permit fee | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Anaconda-Deer Lodge | $200Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Belgrade | $45 up to $500, plus 6% of the balance of the project costVerified | Electrical Permit → |
| Billings | $130.00Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Bozeman | Determined based on contractor valuation of the project, subject to Building Division approval of the valuation, applied against Table CVerified | Electric Only Permit → |
| Butte-Silver Bow | Set by the State of Montana Building Codes Program, not by Butte-Silver BowVerified | Electrical Permit → |
| Choteau | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) → |
| City of Deer Lodge | $200Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Colstrip | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair / Move) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair / Move) → |
| Columbia Falls | $200.00Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Conrad | See city page for the current Zoning and Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) fee | Zoning and Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) → |
| Cut Bank | $23.50 (subject to the $100.00 minimum permit fee)Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) → |
| Darby | $45 for the first $500 plus 6.0% of the balance of construction valueVerified | Electrical Permit → |
| East Helena | $200Verified | Electrical Permit (State-Issued) → |
| Forsyth | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) → |
| Glasgow | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) → |
| Great Falls | $34.39Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Hamilton | $45 for the first $500 plus 6.0% of the balance of construction costVerified | Electrical Permit → |
| Hardin | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Re-Roof) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Re-Roof) → |
| Havre | $200Verified | Residential Electrical Permit → |
| Helena | $35.00Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Kalispell | $200.00Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Laurel | $200Verified | Residential Electrical Permit (State-Issued) → |
| Lewistown | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Additions) → |
| Libby | $24Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) → |
| Livingston | $200Verified | Electrical Permit (State-Issued) → |
| Manhattan | See city page for the current Electrical Permit fee | Electrical Permit → |
| Miles City | Set by City of Miles City fee schedule adopted by council resolution under City Code § 5-4; specific dollar-valuation table not independently locatable as a standalone published document as of the last verificationVerified | Residential Electrical Permit → |
| Missoula | $361.00Verified | Residential Electrical Permit → |
| Missoula County (Unincorporated) | $378.00Verified | Electrical Permit (ME) → |
| Polson | $220.00Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Red Lodge | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration) → |
| Ronan | $35.00 for up to $1,999Verifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) | Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) → |
| Shelby | $23.50Verifiedvia Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Structural Alteration) | Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Structural Alteration) → |
| Sidney | $200Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Stevensville | $200.00Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| Townsend | $200Verified | Electrical Permit (State-Issued) → |
| Troy | $24Verifiedvia Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) → |
| Unincorporated Yellowstone County | $200Verified | Electrical Permit → |
| West Yellowstone | See city page for the current Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) fee | Residential Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Alteration / Repair) → |
| Whitefish | Based on a percentage of the estimated project cost/valuation, consistent with the City's general building-permit valuation-based fee methodology; a deposit is required at time of permit submittalVerified | Electrical Permit (Trade Permit) → |