You are viewing the permanent link for the record currently in effect, published 2026-07-07.
Polson building permits
VerifiedPolson, Montana — as published 2026-07-07.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Codes 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; a certified local program's adopted code 'may include only codes adopted by the Building Codes Bureau' (ARM 24.301.202). Non-certified trades/areas fall under direct state administration by the DLI Building Codes Bureau. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, Certified City, County and Town Programs (bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdf, updated 04/22/2026).Polson is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for Building (B), Plumbing (P), Electrical (E), and Mechanical (M) — but explicitly NOT Swimming Pool (SP) — within Polson city limits. Certified program contact on file with DLI: 'Office', (406) 883-8214. Source: Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau, 'Montana Certified Local Government Program' roster (bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/building-codes-permits/certified-city.pdf, updated 04/22/2026), row 'Polson | B, P, E, M | Office | 883-8214 | City Limits'. Directly fetched and text-extracted from the PDF during this research pass (2026-07-04); no 'SP' designation appears for Polson in the roster, unlike Darby, Hamilton, Manhattan, and other full-trade-certified Montana towns in this same roster which explicitly list 'SP'. No separate Lake County-level DLI certification row exists in the roster (the county itself is not a certified jurisdiction), so there is no competing county-level certification for areas outside Polson city limits.2021 International Building Code (IBC), as amended by ARM 24.301.131 — per City of Polson Standards for Design & Construction page (Montana Building Codes / International Code Council list)2021 International Residential Code (IRC), as amended by ARM 24.301.154 — per City of Polson Standards for Design & Construction page2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), as amended by ARM 24.301.161 — per City of Polson Standards for Design & Construction page2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), as amended by ARM 24.301.171 — per City of Polson Standards for Design & Construction page2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), as amended by ARM 24.301.172 — per City of Polson Standards for Design & Construction page; also cited directly on the City's Mechanical Permit Application ('Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 104, MCA and ARM 24.301.172')2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), as amended by ARM 24.301.173 — per City of Polson Standards for Design & Construction page2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC), as amended by ARM 24.301.175 — per City of Polson Standards for Design & Construction page. Note: this code is listed among Montana's statewide-adopted codes referenced by the City's own Standards page, but Polson is NOT DLI-certified for Swimming Pool (SP) permitting — see codesAdopted certification note above; pool-specific permitting/inspection is understood to route to the state DLI Building Codes Bureau rather than being issued locally by Polson.2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), as amended by ARM 24.301.301 — per City of Polson Standards for Design & Construction page; also cited directly on the City's Plumbing Permit Application ('Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 505, MCA and ARM 24.301.301 and ARM 24.301.361'). Montana uses the Uniform Plumbing Code, not the International Plumbing Code.2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) — effective statewide June 11, 2022 per Montana DLI Building Codes Bureau Current Codes summary; cited directly on the City of Polson Electrical Permit Application ('Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431'). Not separately listed on the City's own Standards for Design & Construction code list (which enumerates only ICC/UPC family codes), but confirmed via the statewide DLI source and the City's own electrical permit application form citation.All codes verified directly against the City of Polson 'Standards for Design & Construction' page (Montana Building Codes / International Code Council section), https://www.cityofpolson.com/building/page/standards-design-construction, fetched and read directly during this research pass (2026-07-04).
Permit types & fees
Zoning Conformance & Building Permit (New Construction / Addition / Remodel)
VerifiedRequired for new single-family and two-family dwelling construction, additions, and remodels within Polson city limits. Uses a single combined Zoning Conformance & Building Permit Application reviewed against the Polson Development Code (Zoning Conformance) and the adopted 2021 IBC/IRC/IECC/IEBC (Building Permit). Applications submitted to the Building Department at 106 1st Street East, or online at GovWell.com.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Complete Zoning Conformance & Building Permit Application, indicating Residential or Commercial, with owner, contractor, and site information, project valuation, and floor area
- Part I (Zoning Conformance): two copies of a site plan showing setbacks, lot size, lot slope, lot coverage, and all easements; Zoning Conformance Fee must be paid at time of submittal; allow up to 10 working days for review
- Applicant must address all applicable Performance Standards per Chapter IV of the Polson Development Code
- Part II (Building Permit): two complete sets of detailed construction drawings covering building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing information (1/4 inch scale preferred), including foundation plan, floor plan for each level, exterior elevations, and complete structural drawings (wall section, floor framing, stair sections, roof/truss detail)
- Must demonstrate compliance with current energy code requirements
- Design must reflect City of Polson design criteria: 62 psf ground snow load, 115 mph wind load, Seismic Zone D (per Standards for Design & Construction page)
- Signature required granting City departments (Building, Planning, Water, Sewer, Fire, Parks, Streets) and the City Engineer permission to enter the property to evaluate the application and resulting construction
- Permanent water/sewer service granted only after all code requirements (paving, landscaping, permits, inspections, fees) are confirmed complete
Required documents
- RequiredZoning Conformance & Building Permit ApplicationCity of Polson combined application (Revised 10/20/22), including Fee Agreement/Acknowledgement page and a detailed plan-submittal checklist (site plan, floor plan, exterior elevations, stair section, foundation plan, framing details, wall section)
- RequiredSite Plan (2 copies)Small-scale (11x17 inch preferred, 1 inch = 20 feet scale preferred) plan showing property lines/dimensions, setbacks, existing and proposed construction, driveways, and north arrow
- RequiredConstruction DrawingsFoundation plan, floor plan per level, exterior elevations, stair section, framing details (floor and roof), and wall section, each at 1/4 inch scale, per the application's plan-submittal checklist
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plan Review Fee | 35% of the Building Permit Fee | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule (effective October 1, 2021); paid at plan submittal per the Building Department page |
| Additional Plan Review (required by changes, additions, or other revisions) | $75.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — Total Valuation $1-$500 | $23.50 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — Total Valuation $501-$2,000 | $23.50 for the first $500, plus $3.05 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — Total Valuation $2,001-$25,000 | $69.25 for the first $2,000, plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — Total Valuation $25,001-$50,000 | $391.75 for the first $25,000, plus $10.10 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — Total Valuation $50,001-$100,000 | $643.75 for the first $50,000, plus $7.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — Total Valuation $100,001-$500,000 | $993.75 for the first $100,000, plus $5.60 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — Total Valuation $500,001-$1,000,000 | $3,233.75 for the first $500,000, plus $4.75 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Building Permit Fee — Total Valuation $1,000,001 and up | $5,608.75 for the first $1,000,000, plus $3.15 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
Electrical Permit
VerifiedRequired for electrical installation, alteration, or repair work in Polson, governed by the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC) per Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431. Polson is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for electrical permitting.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical permit required for installation, alteration, or repair of electrical systems, per Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431
- Application must be signed and dated by the homeowner (for homeowner's private use only) or, if contracted, by the licensed electrician performing the work; commercial work applications are accepted only if signed by a properly licensed electrician
- Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed
- Fee tier selected based on service amperage (new single-family), scope of rewiring, change of service, accessory building, modular/mobile home, multi-family, or mobile home court/RV park work
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Electrical PermitCity of Polson Electrical Permit Application, submittable by mail or email to bp@cityofpolson.com
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Family Dwelling (includes attached garage if wired at same time) — up to 200 amp service | $220.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Electrical Permit |
| Single Family Dwelling — 201 to 400 amp service | $380.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Electrical Permit |
| Single Family Dwelling — 401 to 600 amp service | $600.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Electrical Permit |
| Single Family Dwelling — 601 amp service and up | $800.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Electrical Permit |
| Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 4 circuits and change of service and/or interior panel board | $120.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 4+ circuits (no panel board or change of service) | $100.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment | $70.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 1 additional circuit or piece of equipment | $45.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Residential Change of Service — exterior meter base & exterior main disconnect only | $45.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Residential Change of Service — disconnect with feeder and distribution panel board replacement | $75.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Private Property Accessory Building — up to 200 amp panel | $80.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Private Property Accessory Building — 201 to 300 amp panel | $150.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Private Property Accessory Building — 301 amp panel or more | $250.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Modular Home, Mobile Home or RV — located on rental space in licensed trailer court with existing service | $40.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Modular Home, Mobile Home or RV — located on privately owned property | $80.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Modular Home, Mobile Home or RV — with basement/addition (wired at the same time) | $120.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Multi Family Dwellings — up to 200 amp service, up to 12 units | $180.00 plus $60.00 per unit | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule; over 12 units in one building requires the commercial permit fee schedule |
| Multi Family Dwellings — 601 amp service and up, up to 12 units | $980.00 plus $60.00 per unit | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Mobile Home Courts / RV Parks — new, rewire, or addition, first 3 spaces | $45.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule; contractor required |
| Commercial — Cost of Electrical Project $0-$1,000 | $45.00 for the first $500 plus 6.0% of the balance of project cost | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Commercial — Cost of Electrical Project $50,001 or more | $455.00 for the first $50,000 plus 0.3% of the balance of project cost | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Requested Inspection (first hour) | $60.00 (per the Electrical Permit Application) / $75.00 (per the Building Department Fee Schedule's general 'Request Inspection' line) | The Electrical Permit Application prints '$60. / first hour' for requested inspections, while the general Building Department Fee Schedule lists 'Request Inspection $75 for first hour' as a department-wide figure; both are printed directly on official City documents and are reported here rather than silently reconciled. Additional fees are $30 per 30 minutes beyond the first hour, plus travel and per diem, per both documents. |
| Permit Renewal | $60.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Electrical Permit |
Plumbing Permit
VerifiedRequired for plumbing installation, alteration, or repair work in Polson, governed by the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) per Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 505, MCA and ARM 24.301.301/.361. Polson is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for plumbing permitting.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Plumbing permit required for installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing fixtures, water/sewer service, water heaters, gray water systems, medical gas piping, and related systems, per Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 505, MCA and ARM 24.301.301 and ARM 24.301.361
- Application requires accurate location and owner information, 17-digit geocode, parcel/lot/section/township/range, type of building, type of work, sewer service type (public sewer or septic), and potable water source
- Fee computed from an itemized 'Schedule of Fees' table (per-fixture and per-service-type line items)
- Master Signature required; incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Plumbing PermitCity of Polson Planning & Building Department Plumbing Permit Application, including itemized Schedule of Fees table
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Each Permit (base fee, except water heater replacement) | $35.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Plumbing Permit |
| Gray water system, commercial or residential | $75.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Repair or alteration of drainage or vent piping | $10.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Installation, alteration, or repair of water piping and/or treatment | $10.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Water service tie-in (each) | $10.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Building and trailer sewer tie-in (each) | $15.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Water heater (or replacement), each | $10.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Plumbing Permit |
| Storm drain or storm drainage, each | $10.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Lawn sprinkler, fire protection system, any meter, or backflow protection device, each | $10.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| 1-4 hose bibb, unprotected fixture, vacuum breaker, and/or backflow protection, each | $7.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| 5+ hose bibb, unprotected fixture, vacuum breaker, and/or backflow protection, each (beyond the first 4) | $2.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule; example given on the application form: 5 hose bibbs total = $30 |
| Industrial water pre-treatment equipment including drainage and vent, each | $10.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Medical gas piping system, first 5 units (oxygen, nitrogen, vacuum, medical air) | $75.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Plumbing Permit |
| Medical gas piping system, each additional unit after initial five | $10.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Plumbing fixture or trap, each | $13.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Plumbing Permit |
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
VerifiedRequired for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and related mechanical installations in Polson, governed by the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) per Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 104, MCA and ARM 24.301.172. Polson is a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for mechanical permitting. Boiler work is explicitly excluded and routes to the State.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Mechanical permit required for installation or alteration of furnaces, air handling units, evaporative coolers, ventilation systems, refrigeration equipment, compressors, gas piping, fireplaces, and appliance venting, per Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 104, MCA and ARM 24.301.172
- Boiler permits are explicitly NOT processed by the City — 'Boiler permits are processed through the state of Montana' per the application form
- Project value and calculated fee must be declared on the application
- Incomplete applications will be returned unprocessed
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Mechanical PermitCity of Polson Mechanical Permit Application (Rev. 0, 08/21/2014), submittable by mail or email to bp@cityofpolson.com
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical system valuation — $0-$10,000 | $48 for the first $1,000 plus $14 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Mechanical Permit |
| Mechanical system valuation — $10,001-$50,000 | $166 for the first $10,000 plus $9 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Mechanical Permit |
| Mechanical system valuation — $50,001 or more | $514 for the first $50,000 plus $6 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Mechanical Permit |
Demolition Permit
VerifiedRequired for demolition of buildings within Polson city limits, following the City's published Guidelines for Demolition. Includes a mandatory EPA federal notification step in addition to the City permit.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Submit the City's 1-page Application for Demolition Permit
- Submit a 2-page Federal Notification form to the U.S. EPA; the EPA must receive notification at least ten working days prior to the start of demolition, since federal notification is required for demolition activities in this area
- Projects over 5,000 square feet carry a 30-day completion time limit; larger projects may be granted up to six months with City Council approval, decided on an individual basis
- Projects over 5,000 square feet should post a performance bond (fee decided by City Council)
- All debris and related salvage must be stacked and promptly removed from the demo area within 48 hours
- Signage of hazard must be conspicuously posted around the perimeter of the demolition project
- Fireguards must be on-site when deemed necessary by the Fire Chief
- If requirements are not met, the City may take appropriate corrective action after the permit holder is notified and fails to remedy the problem within 3 days
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Demolition PermitCity of Polson 1-page demolition permit application
- RequiredEPA Federal Notification Form2-page federal notification form submitted to the U.S. EPA at least 10 working days before demolition begins; contact for asbestos questions: Kristin Jendrek, Asbestos Enforcement Coordinator, U.S. EPA Region VIII, (303) 312-6126; also Montana DEQ Asbestos Control Program, John Podolinsky, (406) 444-2690
- OptionalPerformance BondRecommended/expected for demolition projects over 5,000 square feet; bond fee set by City Council
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition Permit Fee | $100.00 minimum, plus $0.25 per square foot of floor area (example given: 1,000 sq ft = $250.00 total) | City of Polson 'Guidelines for Demolition within the Polson City Limits' and Building Department Fee Schedule |
Fence Permit (Fencing Application)
VerifiedFences in Polson are reviewed by the Planning Department under a flat-fee zoning permit process, separate from the Building Department's construction-trade permits.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Fencing Application required per the City's Planning and Public Works Fee Schedule (Zoning section)
- Contact the Planning Department for zoning-district setback and height-standard questions specific to the property
Required documents
- RequiredFence Permit ApplicationCity of Polson Fence Permit Application, listed on the Building Permits and Applications page. This document is a scanned/image-based PDF — no machine-readable text layer was extractable via automated extraction during this research pass (pypdf returned only 5 characters across 5 pages), so specific height thresholds or other substantive requirements printed on the form could not be independently confirmed beyond the form's existence, title, and the $50 fee confirmed separately from the plain-text Planning and Public Works Fee Schedule.
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fencing Application | $50.00 | City of Polson Planning and Public Works Fee Schedule (effective January 15, 2026, Res #2025-028, Res #2025-029, Ord #2025-009), Zoning section: 'Fencing Application $50' |
Lakeshore Construction Permit
VerifiedRequired for construction activity along Flathead Lake shoreline property within Polson, a locally-specific permit type reflecting Polson's location on Flathead Lake. Fee is tiered by project cost.
Verified 2026-07-04 · Source
Requirements
- Lakeshore Construction Permit required for construction activity on lakeshore property within city limits
- Fee is tiered by total cost of project
- Apply through the Building Department; the Lakeshore Permit Application is listed among the Building Permits and Applications documents
Required documents
- RequiredLakeshore Permit ApplicationCity of Polson Lakeshore Permit Application, listed on the Building Permits and Applications page
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Project: $0-$10,000 | $250.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Cost of Project: $10,001-$25,000 | $425.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Cost of Project: $25,001-$50,000 | $575.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
| Cost of Project: $50,001 or more | $600.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Permit
VerifiedRequired for rooftop or ground-mounted residential solar photovoltaic installation within Polson city limits. The City's Application for Electrical Permit and Building Department Fee Schedule have no dedicated solar/PV line item — the array/mounting/structural scope is billed under the general valuation-based Building Permit Fee table, and the electrical interconnection scope is billed under the Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire circuit-count tiers on the Electrical Permit Application (governed by Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431). Polson is DLI-certified for Building, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical (B, P, E, M) permitting.
Verified 2026-07-19 · Source
Requirements
- Building Permit required from the City of Polson Building Department for the array mounting/structural scope, priced per the valuation-based Building Permit Fee table
- Electrical Permit required for the PV wiring/interconnection scope, using the Application for Electrical Permit form; since no dedicated solar/PV line exists, the closest applicable category is Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire (e.g., '2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment' at $70, or '1 additional circuit or piece of equipment' at $45), unless the installation also changes the electrical service size, in which case the amp-service tiers ($220-$800) would apply instead
- Applications may be submitted by mail, email (bp@cityofpolson.com), or online via GovWell.com
- No dedicated Solar Permit Application or expedited solar-specific review track is published by the City of Polson as of 2026-07-19
Required documents
- RequiredBuilding Permit ApplicationUsed for the array/structural scope since there is no dedicated solar application
- RequiredApplication for Electrical PermitCity of Polson form; covers the PV wiring/interconnection scope under the closest applicable circuit-count or amp-service category, since no dedicated solar/PV line exists
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit Fee — Total Valuation $2,001-$25,000 | $69.25 for the first $2,000, plus $14.00 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof | No solar-specific fee line found; billed under the same valuation-based table as other construction. City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule (effective October 1, 2021) |
| Electrical Permit — Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire, 2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment | $70.00 | Closest applicable category for a typical residential PV interconnection with no service-size change, absent a dedicated solar line. City of Polson Application for Electrical Permit |
| Electrical Permit — Single Family Dwelling, up to 200 amp service (if service upgrade included) | $220.00 | Applies if the PV installation includes a service upgrade rather than a simple interconnection. City of Polson Application for Electrical Permit |
| Plan Review Fee | 35% of the Building Permit Fee | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule; paid at plan submittal |
EV Charger / EVSE Permit
VerifiedPolson has no EV-charger-specific permit type or fee line. An EV charger (EVSE) circuit is electrical work, governed by the 2020 NEC as adopted by the City (a Montana DLI-certified jurisdiction for electrical permitting), and is filed on the same Application for Electrical Permit used for any other residential wiring project. The Electrical Permit Application has no EV-specific checkbox — the fee is selected from the closest applicable Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire circuit-count category (for adding a dedicated EV circuit) or, if the installation requires a panel/service upgrade, the corresponding Residential Change of Service or amperage-tier category.
Verified 2026-07-20 · Source
Requirements
- Electrical permit required for the EV charger circuit installation within Polson city limits
- Governed by the 2020 NEC as adopted by the City of Polson (Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431)
- Application must be signed and dated by the homeowner (for homeowner's private use only) or the licensed electrician performing the work
- Fee tier selected based on circuit count / equipment added, or amperage/service-change tier if a panel upgrade is required to support the charger
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Electrical PermitCity of Polson Electrical Permit Application, submittable by mail or email to bp@cityofpolson.com; no dedicated EV-charger checkbox exists, so the closest applicable wire/rewire or service-change category is selected
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single Family Interior/Exterior Wire or Rewire — 1 additional circuit or piece of equipment (applies to a single dedicated EV charger circuit; no EV-specific line item found) | $45.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule / Application for Electrical Permit. No EV-charger, electric-vehicle, or EVSE line item appears on either document; a new dedicated EVSE circuit at an existing home is billed under this closest-matching circuit-count category. |
| Residential Change of Service — disconnect with feeder and distribution panel board replacement (if a panel/service upgrade is required to support the charger) | $75.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule |
Sign Permit
VerifiedRequired every time a new freestanding, ground-mounted, monument, or building-mounted sign is proposed within Polson, per the City's Sign Permit Application. Administered by the Community Development / Planning Department, distinct from Building Department trade permits — the Certificate of Occupancy/Change of Use Application form explicitly notes 'Sign appl (separate appl/fee)' to flag that sign permitting is its own process.
Verified 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Sign permit required every time a new sign — freestanding or mounted — is proposed, per the City's Sign Permit Application; refer to the City's sign ordinance for specification standards
- Applicant must indicate permit type: Freestanding/Ground-mounted/Monument Sign, or Building-mounted Sign, and provide business owner/applicant, business name, proposed sign address, contractor/agent, legal description (subdivision/lot/block), and zoning district
- Freestanding, Ground-mounted, or Monument Sign requires a sketch of the sign (dimensions, materials, structural supports, design features) and a site diagram
- Building-mounted Sign requires a sketch of the sign, a wall diagram (building wall dimensions; size, height, and location of existing and proposed signs; scale), and a site diagram if the sign projects from the building or extends over the public right-of-way
- Applicant must disclose whether the sign will incorporate lighting
- Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant
Required documents
- RequiredSign Permit ApplicationCity of Polson Planning & Building Department 3-page Sign Permit Application, including diagram guidelines and a worked example on page 3
- RequiredSketch of SignDimensions, materials, structural supports, and design features noted
- OptionalSite DiagramRequired for freestanding/ground-mounted/monument signs, and for building-mounted signs that project from the building or extend over the public right-of-way
- OptionalWall DiagramRequired for building-mounted signs: entire building side dimensions (length and height), and size/height/location of all existing and proposed signage, at a suggested scale of 1 inch to 4 feet
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Application | $150 plus $5 per square foot | City of Polson Planning and Public Works Fee Schedule (effective January 15, 2026, Res #2025-028, Res #2025-029, Ord #2025-009), Signs section: 'Sign Application $150 plus $5 per sq ft'. This is the most recently dated, resolution/ordinance-numbered governing fee document. |
| Sign Permit Application fee (as printed on the application form itself) | $150 minimum plus $0.25 per square foot of permitted signage | The standalone Sign Permit Application PDF, currently linked live from the City's own Sign Permit page, prints a different per-square-foot rate ($0.25/sq ft) than the dated Planning and Public Works Fee Schedule ($5/sq ft, effective 2026-01-15). Both are official City of Polson documents; this discrepancy is reported here rather than silently reconciled, consistent with how this record treats other conflicting-document cases (e.g. the seismic design criteria). The dated, resolution-numbered Fee Schedule is treated as the current governing figure given it is the more recently effective, formally adopted document. |
| After-the-Fact Sign Permit (installed without a permit) | 2 times the normal permit fee | City of Polson Planning and Public Works Fee Schedule, 'All After-the-Fact Permits (signs, fences, etc.)' |
Fire Sprinkler / Fire Alarm Permit
Polson has no standalone, published City permit, application form, or fee schedule specifically for fire sprinkler or fire alarm system installation. The City of Polson Fire Dept page lists only Open Burning and Burn Permits — no sprinkler/alarm permit. Montana's DLI Certified Local Government Program, which certifies Polson for Building (B), Plumbing (P), Electrical (E), and Mechanical (M) permitting, has no Fire Suppression or Fire Alarm trade designation for ANY Montana jurisdiction on its roster (the roster's own key defines only B, P, M/G, E, M, SP, and W) — fire-sprinkler/alarm plan review is not part of that local-certification framework at all, for Polson or any other certified Montana city. Businesses that sell, install, or service fire alarm or fire-suppression systems anywhere in Montana must instead hold a Fire Protection license issued by Montana DLI's Fire Prevention Licensing Program — a statewide contractor/business license, not a project-specific City permit. The Montana DOJ State Fire Marshal's Office administers statewide fire prevention, inspection of public buildings, and certification of local inspection programs under Title 50, Chapter 3, MCA, but its published materials describe inspection/investigation authority rather than a project-specific fire-sprinkler/alarm plan-review permit application or fee, and none was found for Polson.
Reviewed 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- No standalone City of Polson fire-sprinkler or fire-alarm installation permit or application is published; the City's Fire Dept page (cityofpolson.com/fire) lists only Open Burning and Burn Permits
- A fire-protection-system water tie-in/backflow-protection component is billed under the City's Plumbing Permit ('Lawn sprinkler, fire protection system, any meter, or backflow protection device, each' — $10.00 per unit), per the Building Department Fee Schedule; this covers only that plumbing-code-adjacent component, not sprinkler head/pipe layout or fire alarm panel work
- Businesses that sell, install, or service fire alarm systems or special-agent fire-suppression systems anywhere in Montana must hold a Business Entity Fire Protection license from Montana DLI's Fire Prevention Licensing Program ($200 application fee; commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence required per ARM 24.144.403), renewed annually by May 31
- Polson carries no Fire Suppression (FS) or Fire Alarm (FA) certification on the Montana DLI Certified Local Government Program roster — no Montana city on that roster carries an FS/FA designation, since the program's key defines only Building, Plumbing, Medical Gas, Electrical, Mechanical, Pool, and WUI
- The Montana DOJ State Fire Marshal's Office (Title 50, Ch. 3, MCA) provides statewide fire-safety-regulation adoption, inspection of public buildings, and certification of local inspection programs, but no project-specific fire-sprinkler/alarm plan-review permit application or fee was found published by that office
- New-construction fire-protection systems required by the adopted 2021 IBC (Chapter 9, referencing NFPA 13 for sprinklers and NFPA 72 for alarms) are understood to fall within the standard Building Permit plan review, since Polson is DLI-certified for Building (B) code enforcement and no separate local fire-specific plan-review process is published
Required documents
- OptionalApplication for Plumbing PermitCity of Polson Plumbing Permit Application; used only for the fire-protection-system backflow/tie-in fee line, since no dedicated fire-sprinkler/alarm application exists
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lawn sprinkler, fire protection system, any meter, or backflow protection device, each (Plumbing Permit) | $10.00 | City of Polson Building Department Fee Schedule (effective October 1, 2021, still current per the 2026 fee-schedule listing); covers only the plumbing-code backflow/tie-in component of a fire-protection system, not sprinkler or alarm installation itself |
| Fire Protection Business Entity License (statewide contractor/business license, not a Polson permit) | $200.00 application fee | Montana DLI Fire Prevention Licensing Program; required of any business that sells, installs, or services fire alarm systems, special-agent fire-suppression systems, or fire extinguisher systems anywhere in Montana. Renewed annually by May 31; late renewal fee $200. This is a business license, not a per-project City of Polson permit fee. |
| Fire-sprinkler or fire-alarm project-specific permit/plan-review fee | No City of Polson, Polson Fire Department, or Polson Rural Fire District fee for fire-sprinkler or fire-alarm system installation itself was found published, despite directly checking the City's Fire Dept page, the Polson Rural Fire District website, the Building Department and Planning and Public Works Fee Schedules, and the Montana DOJ State Fire Marshal's public materials. |
Certificate of Occupancy / Change of Use Permit
VerifiedRequired when a structure's business use changes or a Certificate of Occupancy is needed, using the City's single combined 'Application for Certificate of Occupancy/Change of Use' form. The currently effective Planning and Public Works Fee Schedule (2026-01-15) separately lists 'Certificate of Occupancy' and 'Change of Use Permit' as two distinct $100 line items under Planning fees, even though the City's own application form is one combined document listing a single $100 fee.
Verified 2026-07-22 · Source
Requirements
- Application required for a Certificate of Occupancy and/or a Change of Use within a structure in Polson, using the combined 'Application for Certificate of Occupancy/Change of Use' form
- Applicant must provide business site address, mailing address, contractor/agent, property owner, legal description (subdivision/block/lot), lot size, zoning district, type of business proposed, previous business/use located in the structure, total square footage, number of stories, and type of construction (structural & exterior walls)
- Two (2) detailed site plans required, showing scale (preferred 1 inch = 20 feet), north arrow, lot boundaries with dimensions, location of existing/proposed roads and driveways, interior floor plan (rooms, halls, doorways with dimensions), distances of existing/proposed structures to property boundaries (property pins evident or survey retracement completed), and lettered/numbered identification of each existing and proposed structure
- Applicant grants permission for members of the Polson Building Department, Fire Department, or their designated agents to enter the property to evaluate the application and any resulting construction
- A separate sign permit and fee applies if new signage is part of the change — the application form explicitly flags 'Sign appl (separate appl/fee)'
- Incomplete or erroneous applications will be returned to the applicant
Required documents
- RequiredApplication for Certificate of Occupancy/Change of UseCity of Polson combined application form (Rev 01/14, currently the live linked version on the City's Building Permits and Applications page), listing a single $100 fee for the combined COO/Change of Use process
- RequiredSite Plans (2 copies)Detailed site plans per the application's item 12 checklist: scale, north arrow, lot boundaries, roads/driveways, interior floor plan, structure distances to property boundaries, and lettered/numbered existing and proposed structures
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Occupancy/Change of Use (combined application fee, as printed on the City's own application form) | $100.00 | City of Polson Application for Certificate of Occupancy/Change of Use (Rev 01/14): 'Fee: $100.00' for the single combined application. |
| Certificate of Occupancy (as a distinct Planning fee line item) | $100.00 | City of Polson Planning and Public Works Fee Schedule (effective January 15, 2026), Other Planning Fees section: 'Certificate of Occupancy $100'. This 2026 schedule lists Certificate of Occupancy and Change of Use as two separate $100 line items even though the City's own application form combines both into one document with one stated $100 fee — this discrepancy is reported here rather than silently reconciled; a project needing both a COO and a Change of Use determination may be charged $100 for each per the current fee schedule, though the single combined application form does not itself clarify this. |
| Change of Use Permit (as a distinct Planning fee line item) | $100.00 | City of Polson Planning and Public Works Fee Schedule (effective January 15, 2026), Other Planning Fees section: 'Change of Use Permit $100'. |
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-04.
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 Polson building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.