East Helena building permits

Requirements

• Zoning Application must be approved before a Building Permit Application is submitted
• Construction Permit Application (Building & Safety) must be completed with project address, owner/architect/contractor information, description of project, and estimated valuation of work
• Owner-Builder & Worker's Compensation Declaration section must be completed (owner performing work vs. licensed contractor vs. Worker's Compensation Insurance certification)
• For new construction, additions, and remodels: Residential One- and Two-Family Dwellings Plan Submittal Requirements apply — site plan, foundation plan, floor plans, floor framing plan, lateral bracing analysis, building section/framing details, roof framing, exterior elevations, and fireplace details (if applicable) as described in the city's published submittal checklist
• Engineered floor/roof truss data sheets required where applicable; calculations and drawings signed/sealed by a Montana-licensed design professional required for structural elements exceeding IRC Section R301 limits or otherwise non-conforming to the IRC
• Geotechnical report required where expansive, compressible, shifting, or otherwise questionable soil conditions are likely present
• Incomplete submittals are returned to the applicant un-reviewed
• Applicant must pay the plan-review portion of the fee within 30 days of notification that plan review is complete (even if not proceeding to construction), and 100% of the total permit fee before starting work
• Digital plans may be emailed to the Building Official at building@easthelenamt.us

Required documents

• RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationCity of East Helena, Department of Building & Safety — project information, valuation, owner-builder/workers' comp declaration
• RequiredResidential One- and Two-Family Dwellings Plan Submittal Requirements checklistSite plan, foundation plan, floor plans, floor framing plan, lateral bracing analysis, building section/framing details, roof framing, exterior elevations, fireplace details
• OptionalEngineered Floor/Roof Truss Data SheetsRequired where engineered trusses are used

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Applies only to residential buildings containing fewer than 5 dwelling units, their attached structures, or a private garage/storage structure used only for the owner's own use
• Covered work: (A) replacement of external weather-side finishes (e.g., re-siding), (B) replacement of external roof covering, (C) window replacement with no header change, (D) door replacement with no header change, (E) replacement of interior ceiling covering, (F) replacement of interior wall covering (drywall, paneling, finish work), (G) replacement/installation of cabinets and/or closets only
• Application requires project address, owner and contractor information, East Helena business license status, Worker's Compensation Insurance/ICEC status, description of project, and estimated start/completion dates
• Fee is set by City Council resolution; the initial fee established in the form is $25.00

Required documents

• RequiredInformational Building Permit ApplicationCity of East Helena, Department of Building and Safety (Form Version 072020)

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Zoning Application must be approved before the Building Permit Application is submitted
• Construction Permit Application (Building & Safety) required, with project valuation, owner/contractor information, and description of project
• Exterior deck framing connection detailing to supports, and railing post connections, must be shown per the city's Plan Submittal Requirements where a deck is part of new construction or an addition
• Site plan showing property lines, existing/proposed structures (including decks/porches), and distances to property lines is required
• A private garage or storage structure used only for the owner's own use may qualify for the Informational Building Permit ($25.00) only for the specific minor-work categories under City Code 4-1-13 — new construction of a garage/accessory structure itself requires the standard Construction Permit

Required documents

• RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationCity of East Helena, Department of Building & Safety
• RequiredSite PlanShowing location of existing/proposed structures including decks/porches, with distances to property lines

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Construction Permit Application must be submitted to City Hall for demolition of any structure within city limits, per the City of East Helena Department of Building & Safety's general permit process
• Owner or applicant information, description of project (demolition scope), and estimated valuation required on the same Construction Permit Application form used for other building work
• No dedicated demolition-specific bond, checklist, or fee line was found published separately by the City of East Helena — unlike Billings' explicit $10,000 demolition bond ordinance, no equivalent East Helena-specific bond requirement was located after checking the Planning/Zoning/Building page and the Construction Permit Application PDF
• Coordinate with the East Helena Lead Education and Abatement Program (LEAP), Room 201 City Hall, (406) 457-8583, given the city's location within the East Helena Superfund Site Institutional Control Program (ICP) administrative area — demolition of older structures may raise ICP/lead-abatement compliance questions

Required documents

• RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationCity of East Helena, Department of Building & Safety — used for demolition as for other building-permit work; no separate demolition-specific form was found

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Construction Permit Application submitted to the Department of Building & Safety, since East Helena is DLI-certified for Swimming Pool (SP) permitting within city limits
• Reviewed against the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as statewide-adopted (effective June 11, 2022) and locally enforced by East Helena's certified building official
• Site plan showing pool location, setbacks, and any required barriers/fencing per the ISPSC
• No dedicated East Helena-specific pool application form, fee schedule, or barrier/fencing amendment was found published separately from the general Construction Permit Application after checking the Planning/Zoning/Building page and linked PDFs

Required documents

• RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationCity of East Helena, Department of Building & Safety — no separate pool-specific application form was found published

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Application must be signed and dated by the licensed electrical contractor's person in charge
• 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
• Alternative Energy Source (solar/wind/hydro) projects require an additional $65 fee added to the base fee and must specify system type (Micro Inverter/AC Module System or PV String System for solar)
• 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 (Rev. 12/22); mailed with payment to Building Codes Program, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Apply using the same statewide Application for Residential Electrical Permit used for all East Helena electrical work, since the state DLI Building Codes Bureau (not the city) issues electrical permits for East Helena addresses
• Select the applicable base work-type fee (e.g., service, change of service, accessory building panel) and add the Alternative Energy Source line item
• Specify system type: Micro Inverter/AC Module System or PV String System
• Application must be signed and dated by the licensed electrical contractor's person in charge; payment must be submitted with the application
• Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431
• Governed by the 2020 NEC as statewide-adopted (effective June 11, 2022)

Required documents

• RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (Rev. 12/22), with the Alternative Energy Source (solar/wind/hydro) box checked; mailed with payment to Building Codes Program, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Apply using the same statewide Application for Residential Electrical Permit used for all East Helena electrical work, since the state DLI Building Codes Bureau (not the city) issues electrical permits for East Helena addresses
• Select the base work-type fee matching the actual scope: '1 additional circuit or piece of equipment' (option H) or '2-3 additional circuits or pieces of equipment' (option G) for a charger added to an existing panel with no service change; or the applicable amp-rated service-upgrade tier (options A-D) if a panel/service upgrade is required to support the charger
• Application must be signed and dated by the licensed electrical contractor's person in charge; payment must be submitted with the application
• Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 604, MCA and ARM 24.301.431
• Governed by the 2020 NEC as statewide-adopted (effective June 11, 2022); EV charger circuits fall under NEC Article 625 (Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System), not separately itemized on the state fee form

Required documents

• RequiredApplication for Residential Electrical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (Rev. 12/22); mailed with payment to Building Codes Program, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov. The 'Alternative Energy Source' checkbox on this form does NOT apply to EV chargers (it is limited to Solar/Wind/Hydro generation) — leave it unchecked for a charger-only project.

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Application must be signed by the Master Plumber and include Master Plumber License Number
• Accurate location and owner information required; property address, county, and whether the job is located inside city limits must be indicated
• Type of Building (Single Family, Multiple Family, Commercial/Public, Accessory Building) and Type of Work (New, Alteration/Addition) must be indicated
• Sewer Service Type (Public Sewer System or Septic System) and Potable Water Source (Potable Water Source or Public Utility) must be indicated
• Apply in accordance with Title 50, Chapter 60, Section 505, MCA and ARM 24.301.301 and ARM 24.301.361

Required documents

• RequiredApplication for Plumbing PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1, Rev. 10/2019); mailed with payment to Building Codes Bureau, PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Accurate location and owner information required for permitting
• Type of Building (Multiple Family, Commercial/Public, Accessory Building, Public Building, Factory Building, Warehouse Building) and Type of Work (New, Addition/remodel, Alteration) must be indicated
• Project Value must be provided; permit fee is calculated from the state's valuation-based fee schedule
• 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

Required documents

• RequiredApplication for Mechanical PermitMontana Building Codes Bureau statewide form (BCP-1, Rev. 06/2022); mailed with payment to Department of Labor and Industry / BCB / PO Box 200517, Helena, MT 59620-0517, or filed online via ebiz.mt.gov

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Development Review Application must be completed and submitted together with the Sketch Plan Checklist, 3 sets required, to City Hall with the applicable fee
• Signs must comply with the applicable zoning-district standards under Zoning Ordinance Section 7.1.08: Commercial/Industrial districts — total signage per lot not to exceed 300 sq ft, one freestanding sign per zoned lot (max 64 sq ft per sign / 192 sq ft total), wall signage up to 2.0 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage, one projecting sign per tenant (max 15 sq ft Commercial / 25 sq ft Industrial); Residential districts — signs max 32 sq ft and 8 ft height, set back at least 5 ft from the property line (principal residential uses/home occupations limited to 6 sq ft, minimum 10 ft from any property line); Agricultural Suburban district — one non-illuminated freestanding sign per 40-acre lot, max 32 sq ft
• Sketch plan drawing (no larger than 11x17) showing sign location, dimensions, and setbacks in sufficient detail to demonstrate compliance with the Zoning Ordinance
• Temporary/portable signs (banners, pennants, portable signs) tied to a special event are limited to a maximum of 30 days at any one time and no more than 4 separate occasions per calendar year, must be placed outside public rights-of-way and the required sight-vision triangle, and must be secured against movement
• Temporary/portable signs meeting ALL of the following are exempt from obtaining a zoning permit: 6 square feet or smaller, located on private property, and in place 30 days or less at a time on no more than 4 occasions per calendar year (Zoning Ordinance Section 7.1.08(D)(4))
• A City staff decision on the Sketch Plan application may be appealed by filing a notice of appeal with the Clerk of the Council within 4 days of the approval date, per Zoning Ordinance Chapter 10

Required documents

• RequiredDevelopment Review ApplicationCity of East Helena general zoning application form used for Sketch Plan (and other) zoning reviews, including signs
• RequiredSketch Plan ChecklistCity of East Helena checklist and submittal requirements for Sketch Plan review, covering signs in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance, fences, and accessory structures

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Construction Permit Application submitted to the Department of Building & Safety, since no separate fire-sprinkler/alarm permit form is published and East Helena's DLI-certified Building Official is the default authority having jurisdiction over IBC-required fire protection systems absent a documented delegation to a governmental fire agency
• Reviewed against 2021 IBC Chapter 9 (Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems) and its referenced NFPA standards, as adopted statewide effective June 11, 2022 and amended by ARM 24.301.146
• System design, installation, and service must be performed by an individual holding the applicable Montana DLI Fire Protection License Program endorsement — Montana separately licenses individuals (not jurisdictions) to design, install, and service pre-engineered and non-pre-engineered fire alarm and fire-extinguishing/suppression systems statewide
• No dedicated East Helena-specific fire-sprinkler/alarm application form, fee schedule, or bond requirement was found published separately from the general Construction Permit Application, after checking the Planning/Zoning/Building page, Title 5 (Fire Regulations) of the municipal code on American Legal Publishing, and the East Helena Volunteer Fire Department page

Required documents

• RequiredConstruction Permit ApplicationCity of East Helena, Department of Building & Safety — no separate fire-sprinkler/alarm-specific application form was found published

Fee schedule

Requirements

• Site Plan Review required for the change of use/occupancy, since it is a development other than a single/two-household dwelling or a Sketch-Plan-eligible minor project — submitted via Development Review Application and Site Plan Checklist to City Hall
• The Development Review Application's Site Plan Checklist certification statement requires the applicant to certify that the development will conform with 'building and fire codes including required building and occupancy permits'
• Where the proposed use is not clearly listed as a permitted or conditional use in the applicable zoning district, a Classification of Use determination by the City Council is required under Zoning Ordinance Section 2.1.03, based on whether the use is the same as, or sufficiently similar to, an already-permitted use, is compatible with the district, and will not cause substantial injury to neighboring property values
• If the change of occupancy involves construction work, alteration, or a change in IBC/IEBC occupancy classification, a Construction Permit Application must also be submitted to the Department of Building & Safety, reviewed under the 2021 IEBC and IBC as locally adopted
• A Certificate of Occupancy — defined in the Zoning Ordinance as 'evidence that the building complies substantially with the plans and specifications that have been submitted to, and approved by, the local authority' — is issued by the Building Official upon satisfactory final inspection; no separate CO application form or fee distinct from the Construction Permit Application was found published
• A City staff or City Council decision may be appealed per Zoning Ordinance Chapter 10 (Site Plan) or the Classification of Use appeal provisions of Section 2.1.03

Required documents

• RequiredDevelopment Review ApplicationCity of East Helena general zoning application form, submitted with the Site Plan Checklist for developments other than single-household dwellings or Sketch-Plan-eligible minor projects
• RequiredSite Plan ChecklistCity of East Helena submittal checklist; includes the applicant certification that the development will conform with building and fire codes 'including required building and occupancy permits'
• OptionalConstruction Permit ApplicationCity of East Helena, Department of Building & Safety — required if the change of use/occupancy involves construction work or an occupancy-classification change under the IBC/IEBC

Fee schedule